Remember to feed the birds this month as the weather changes and the temperature drops. This is a good time for repairs to fences and any hard landscaping.

Rambling roses can be renovated with a hard prune now and roses in general can be pruned to prevent wind and winter damage.

Pruning can continue along with leaf clearing, depending on the weather. Keeping your lawn free of leaves now will pay dividends in the spring. Snow damage and frost damage is a distinct possibility in the coming weeks so keep a broom handy to knock off any snow from more tender tropical plants (cordylines, palms etc). Heavy snow can also damage more hardy shrubs and it is therefore worth knocking accumulated snow off these too, just watch where you stand when you knock the branches.

It is also a good opportunity, in the quieter spell, to plan any changes you want to make to the garden, maybe planning to manage your garden in the increasingly hot and dry summer months. Catch up on some reading and look at plant and seed catalogues with a view to next year.