The Winter Garden Border with Amanda Brame

Remove fallen leaves from around the base of plants to prevent slugs and snails overwintering and make compost in leaf bags to use as soil conditioner next year.

If the frosts have blackened your dahlia plants, now is the time to lift and store them over winter in a shed or garage.

Protect tender perennials with a mulch of compost.

Tie in any climbing plants so they are not damaged by high winds.

Plant bare-root roses, trees and shrubs.

Plant tulips and other spring bulbs if you haven’t already, keeping a few back to pop into containers topped with pretty violas. Place them where you can watch them grow.

Move any established shrubs or trees when they are dormant. Prepare the new position well before lifting and try to take as much root ball as you can. Firm in well and keep watered.