WEEKEND WORK

Weekend Work is going into hibernation for the winter; no more nagging this season about staking, mulching and dead-heading. I even feel guilty myself when I read it.

Meanwhile, attend to terracotta pots. Those standing in saucers of water should be taken out of them. Pots are less likely to crack open in icy weather if the compost is well drained.

Plant roses, fruit trees and new hedges. Order seeds in the bloated interval that stretches between Christmas and New Year. Include at least three things you have never grown before.

Keep house plants dryish and potted bulbs dampish. Clear out the greenhouse and, if you are going for the solid-gold, hallmarked halo, clean and oil all gardening tools. Weekend Work will return at the beginning of March.