Fading light conditions can make time for the garden almost impossible if you’re busy, now is the time to get motivated to put the garden to bed for the winter. However, there are planting possibilities for milder areas of the UK to be getting on with. It’s well worth getting some winter digging underway for heavy soils (avoid digging in constant wet weather), remove weeds and spread manure or organic compost if you can. If you prefer to follow the no-dig method, top dressing empty beds with organic matter can be done now too. Being productive now should save time come spring – and your soil will love you for it.

Some jobs for November:

• Make a leaf bin and start collecting fallen leaves to make leaf mould
• Plant garlic and winter onion sets
• Prune apple and pear trees
• Prune soft fruit bushes
• Cover frost tender plants at night with horticultural fleece, don’t forget greenhouse…