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<\/p>\nIT\u2019S finally here. Frost has hit and temperatures are dropping fast.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But while it might look like it\u2019s gone into hibernation, your outside space is actually busy doing some very important jobs and shouldn\u2019t be ignored. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Bulbs are quietly working away at creating a deeper root system, as the cold temperature brings on chemical changes that prepare them for Spring growth. <\/p>\n
Clever perennial plants know it's time to go dormant – to stop growing and conserve energy – but under the surface their roots are also digging deeper. <\/p>\n
Some conifers keep on growing during the winter months, and evergreens provide a winter oasis for wildlife.<\/p>\n
So to give your outside space a helping hand while all this secret underground science is taking place, there\u2019s a few tasks you can do now to make sure that when Spring comes, it\u2019s ready to grow forth and multiply again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It's best to put pots on stands or remove any saucers they\u2019re standing in\u00a0 – no one likes a freezing bottom.\u00a0 <\/p>\n And you can even give them a cosy coat of bubblewrap for insulation. <\/p>\n Move them to more sheltered spots, and bring the most tender plants inside.\u00a0<\/p>\n Another way to protect your plants is with garden fleece.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n I just cut my two towering banana plants right back and wrapped them up, securing with twine – to prevent a similar catastrophe to last year when an unexpected hard frost turned them, along with my two favourite Cordylines, to absolute mush.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Perennials need to be cut back – last week I was happily chopping back my Gaura and Crocosmia – which probably should have been done earlier, but with no serious frost until this week, I figured it didn\u2019t really matter. <\/p>\n And cut back any plants where leaves are trailing on the ground turning slimy.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mulching is one of the most important jobs right now – which keeps the earth moist, prevents annoying weeds and generally improves the soil structure – breaking down over time to provide nutrients. <\/p>\n Biodegradable mulches include well rotted manure, wood chippings, garden compost and leafmould, but you can also use colourful gravels and pebbles. <\/p>\n The best depth is around 2-4 inches – like a deep nourishing duvet. Dreamy.\u00a0<\/p>\n It's a good time to\u00a0 tidy up your greenhouse. You can, if you\u2019re planning on overwintering seeds, insulate it\u00a0 – a top tip is to simply use bubblewrap and pegs – budget but effective. <\/p>\n And while you\u2019re at it, have a clean of your tools – there\u2019s all sorts of guides online.\u00a0<\/p>\n Its also time to hard prune hedges and bushes while they\u2019re dormant,\u00a0 and cut back climbing roses.\u00a0<\/p>\n And finally, hang some bird feeders around, so our feathered friends also have a belly full over the festive season.\u00a0<\/p>\n HI, I\u2019m Veronica Lorraine, The Sun\u2019s new Gardening Editor.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a great honour to carry on the paper\u2019s proud tradition of horticultural coverage.<\/p>\n As an RHS-trained professional gardener and journalist with 18 years at The Sun, I know our readers are passionate about tending their outside spaces.<\/p>\n So each week I\u2019ll bring you all the news, tips, tutorials, competitions, Q&As and seasonal advice. <\/p>\n No matter how or where you garden.<\/p>\n Happy Planting!<\/p>\n Now its officially December it\u2019s perfectly ok to mention the John Lewis \u2018Snapper\u2019 Ad – and what a surprise it was for the whole horticultural industry! <\/p>\n Who\u2019d have thought a carniverous plant would feature in a heartwarming Christmas commercial. <\/p>\n Sales have spiked by 2,000 per cent so if you\u2019re lucky enough to find one under your tree, here\u2019s some facts worth knowing. <\/p>\n Amazingly, they\u2019re only native to a 75-mile radius around Wilmington, North Carolina. And yes, they do eat insects, but they don\u2019t just snap shut for anything. <\/p>\n To avoid false alarms they\u2019ll only close if two hairs are touched in succession, within seconds of each other. Once they\u2019ve nabbed their prey, the trap doesn\u2019t open for 10-12 days. <\/p>\n Perfect for a sunny windowsill, they\u2019re a fab gift for children. Use rainwater, not tap water, and keep the soil moist. <\/p>\n YouGarden are currently offering Sun readers the chance to buy Venus Fly Traps for \u00a39.99 instead of \u00a314.99. Just use the code VERON100 at www.yougarden.com<\/p>\n \n If you\u2019re feeling crafty, now\u2019s the time to save pennies on a shop bought wreath, and just create your own. <\/p>\n Wreath workshops can cost an absolute fortune – but\u00a0 there\u2019s always advice online. <\/p>\n Use the evergreens from your garden, or ask family, friends or neighbours if you can raid their gardens.<\/p>\n It's also worth keeping an eye out for distinctive seed heads throughout the year that might work. <\/p>\n Holly, ivy, pine cones, bay leaves, eucalyptus, even a bit of Christmas tree are all top additions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Which? has revealed that the cheapest cut Christmas trees this year are from Lidl and Aldi.\u00a0<\/p>\n A medium (160-180cm) Nordman tree is \u00a316.99 and a large tree (190-210cm) is \u00a324.99. Both available now.\u00a0<\/p>\n Tie a belt, or something similar, around just under the top lip of your terracotta pots to prevent them from cracking when the temperatures dip below freezing.\u00a0<\/p>\n You can sow broad beans direct into the ground under cloches – check the packets to make sure you have December-sowing varieties.\u00a0<\/p>\n When it comes to pruning back your garden, splash the cash on these stunning Niwaki Garden\u00a0 Shears at \u00a0\u00a379.00 (right) or go for Garden Trading\u2019s sturdy Hawkesbury Shears in Ash, at \u00a0\u00a321 (left)<\/p>\n Q.<\/strong> How do I get rid of Ivy and will it kill the seedlings? George Partridge.\u00a0<\/p>\n A<\/strong> . Some experts recommend using a spray combination of 4.5litres of apple or white vinegar, a tablespoon of salt and a squirt of liquid soap like Ecover. <\/p>\n But that can pollute and kill other seedlings nearby so if you don\u2019t need the area for planting, wait until Spring and then dig up all stems and woody roots, and lay weed control fabric, or a thick layer of woodbark, and leave for two growing seasons. <\/p>\n If you must use weedkiller, find one with Glyphosphate and triclopyr.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Just in time for Christmas, we\u2019ve got FIVE amazing Flymo Hover Vac 270 Corded Hover Lawnmower\u2019s to give away thanks to B&Q. <\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/crop-24803754.jpg\")
<\/picture>NICK OF TIME <\/span><\/p>\nI won Treble at Man Utd but my Prem career lasted seconds – now I'm a gardener<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/DK_ROSE_BUSH_COMP.jpg\")
<\/picture>PREP WORK <\/span><\/p>\nLate fall's the best time for a key gardening job – it'll mean growth next year<\/h3>\n
MOVE AND WRAP<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/b775x8-back-lit-shot-frosty-863358031.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCOSY COATS<\/h2>\n
Most read in Fabulous<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/surgery.jpg\")
<\/picture>FACE OFF <\/span><\/p>\nSecret celeb surgeries they might have had – from Prince Harry to Michelle Keegan<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ri-comp-top.jpg\")
<\/picture>SEE IT NOW <\/span><\/p>\nI didn’t know how see-through my top was \u2013 my bra choice was mortifying<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/crop-11581703.jpg\")
<\/picture>‘BRILLIANT’ <\/span><\/p>\nI got the best \u00a38 buy to keep Christmas magic alive for my kids, I’m so excited<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/newspress-collage-yu9n4tgi9-1701258200469.jpg\")
<\/picture>MAKE IT REIN <\/span><\/p>\nI\u2019m making profit from my family by charging them \u00a3150 each for Xmas dinner<\/h3>\n
CUT BACKS<\/h2>\n
MULCH IT <\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/t4kxja-hands-lifting-leaf-mould-861716016.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCLEAN AND TIDY<\/h2>\n
PRUNE<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/my2jdc-home-made-cookie-cutter-863359254.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFEED THE BIRDS<\/h2>\n
Happy Planting!<\/h3>\n
COLD SNAP<\/h2>\n
SNAP ONE UP<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/fly-trapped-close-up-4923284.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMAKE YOUR OWN<\/h2>\n
CHEAP TREES<\/h2>\n
TOP TIP<\/h2>\n
JOBS FOR THIS WEEK <\/h2>\n
SAVE!!<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/45862cd3-21dd-4198-bb56-9bafbd13bf9d.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLEARN!!<\/h2>\n
WIN!<\/h2>\n
Read More on The Sun<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/KS_COMP_Josie-celeb.jpg\")
<\/picture>![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/crop-24916965-3.jpg\")
<\/picture>![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/NINTCHDBPICT000862625294-1.jpg\")