Heather Barron talks to a North-East expert about the winter tasks that gardeners can do to keep busy...

THERE'S no such thing as a quiet time in the garden, and, although the summer explosion has died down, over the next few months there are still many jobs to do.

Don’t let the cold and the damp days put you off. If you put the effort in now, and keep things in good condition, you’ll be ready for the spring, when you will reap the rewards of your hard work.

North-East gardening expert Brigid Press has given the following must-do tasks to carry out this month:

You might assume that house plants will carry on as normal because they’re not directly affected by the weather outside, but they are indirectly affected by the temperature. In the colder months, the house will be warmer during the day, but, the heating will be off overnight. Plants don’t need so much water and feed at this time of year, so reduce watering and feeding through the colder months, especially for cacti which need very little water in the winter.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

  • Check that all outside taps and standpipes are well lagged to prevent freezing.
     
  • Take this time to clean all your gardening tools ready for use next year – including the lawn mower and hedge trimmers. Remove all the dirt and rust and store them away safely. Empty the petrol from the mower as it can cause deterioration within the engine.
  • Check on your semi-tender plants outside, like yuccas and cordylines. Pack the leaves with straw and wrap the lot in fleece, window netting or lace. This will create a hub of warmth and protect the plant from the cold.
     
  • Check tree ties and stakes to ensure that they are secure. The wind will get to them if they are loose and could damage the trees.

And here's a couple of jobs to help work off that Christmas dinner and to keep you warm outside:

  • Finish raking the leaves off the lawn. If the leaves are left, they block the light to the grass and traps moisture, both of which can cause the grass to die. It also encourages the growth of moss and moulds. If you don’t already have one, get a compost bin for the leaves and other garden debris.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

2. Improve your borders and planting areas by working lots of bark and compost into the soil – especially if it is a heavy clay. This will break it up and enrich it in preparation for spring planting.

Happy gardening!

• Brigid Press can be heard on BBC Tees every Sunday between 9am and 12. She also manages the Lionmouth Rural Centre, near Durham, which is a non-profit community organisation using horticulture to support vulnerable people. For more information, go to www.lionmouth.org.uk