At last we have some seasonal weather to contend with and the first thing to warn about, as we get closer to Christmas is not to buy any tender house plants from an outdoor source, such as garage forecourts, markets, etc. They are almost certain to die as they will be seriously chilled form being outside. Even when buying from a garden centre do make sure that they are well wrapped and take them straight home to a warm house straight away.

Real Christmas trees are now for sale but to make sure that they stay fresh right through the Christmas period leave them outside for a couple more weeks with their base in a bucket of water. This is particularly important with Picea abies, the true Christmas tree, but if you are impatient then go for the Nordmann fir, or Abies nordmanniana. This tree lasts much longer indoors, but of course you will pay a little more for it.

Many ornamental trees are damaged at this time of the year due to ties being too tight. The stems of trees are now thickening and if a tie is left to tighten its grip, it will cut into the bark or strangle the tree. Remove the tie and move it slightly up or down to a new position and then re-fasten. Never use wire to tie a tree to its stake as this will cut in and eventually disappear into the stem. When staking newly planted trees, always place the stake on the side from where the main winds blow.

Bush roses should now be cut back by half the height in order to stop wind rock during the winter months. Also cut any long shoots and old flower trusses out which are above the normal height of shrub roses. If climbers are becoming old or the flowers are only being produced at a high level, cut the oldest stem right down to encourage new young shoots from the base. Done every year this will create a plant which flowers from top to bottom.