In recent years, the UK has seen its fair share of wintery flurries. Many of the plants that are grown in our gardens are perfectly hardy and, if growing in the ground, are not damaged by low temperatures. However, there are some easy ways to give your garden extra protection against snow, cold snaps and generally unpredictable weather patterns...

Homemade compost is a great soil conditioner to use as surface mulch around existing plants or for digging it in to your soil before planting. All soils benefit from the addition of bulky organic matter, which will act as a sponge to hold moisture in light, sandy soils and help break down heavy clay soils, making them easier to work...

November sees the last bursts of colour in gardens, parks and woodlands before winter draws in. It's time for evergreens to take the mantle, providing protection for wildlife and festive foliage for our Christmas displays. Bird tables and feeders become more crowded as different species jostle for a place with ground feeding Chaffinch and Dunnocks cleaning up below. November's gardens...