All leaves that have fallen, along with the ones under bushes and hedges, should be cleared away as they give protection for snails and slugs during the winter months. Also remember that falling leaves can clog up greenhouse gutters. All the raked up leaves may be left to rot down in a leaf bin.
To let in more light, the greenhouse roof can be washed down removing dirt and grime. It is also a good idea to empty and clean water-butts.
Any areas of ground that are presently empty can be dug over forking in plenty of rotted manure or compost. Should conditions prove wet, and we have certainly had a good deal of rain lately, a polythene sheet can be used to cover the area helping to keep any further rain off, then once the soil has dried out digging can begin again.
Vegetables
Seed potatoes should be stored in trays, in a light, cool, frost-free place to chit ready for planting in March or April. Sowings can still be made of Broad Bean Aquadulce Claudia and The Sutton (under cloches) if conditions are suitable. In the greenhouse, sowings can be made of Aubergine and summer maturing Cauliflower. In colder parts of the country, and for exhibition, sowings of Onion should be made in the greenhouse, harden off the plants in March prior to planting outdoors in April.
Prepare a deep trench, for where Runner Beans are to be grown next summer, by digging out and filling with rotted compost from your compost bin, plus during winter you can carry on adding kitchen waste. Then in late spring cover with soil and sow your beans on top.
Bulbs
To prolong the flowering period of winter-flowering houseplants avoid draughts and any dry places such as near fires or radiators, by keeping them in good light and a cool position.
Bulbs, corms and tubers that are being kept in store should be checked regularly for signs of deterioration or rot. Any diseased ones should be removed immediately, sprinkling sulphur powder on the others to prevent attack by disease.
Flowers
Sowings can be made of Antirrhinum, Begonia, Dianthus, Geranium, Gloxinia, Lobelia, Salpiglossis, Statice, Sweet Pea and Verbena. Some perennial plants such as Anemone, Auricula, Aquilegia, Hollyhock and Kniphofia can also be sown at this time.
Sweet Peas that have been raised from autumn sowings can be encouraged to form sideshoots by pinching out the seedling tips.Cut down flowering perennials to ground level.
When leaf shoots begin to show on Crocuses, remove the pots from the beds where they had been placed, clean the pots of any old compost and place them in a cold greenhouse for the flowers to develop.
Bare-rooted roses can continue to be planted. To avoid disease refrain from planting new roses where old ones have been removed from. However, the exception to this is if the soil has been replaced and conditioned.
Fruit
Continue to plant Raspberries and other soft cane fruit, however, if soil conditions are unsuitable when you receive your plants, plant them temporarily in a spare piece of land or pot to prevent the roots drying out, until there is an improvement. Established fruit bushes and trees should be pruned.
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