1. My festive berries are being eaten by fat pigeon

Gardening at this time of year is a bit like housework  where you save yourself extra effort if you tidy as you go.

2. The garden expert who had no garden...

Louise Hampden would peer into people’s gardens, green with envy because she didn’t have one.

3. November in bloom!

There is a little self-congratulatory exercise that I like to carry out this time of year.

4. Plant now – and create fireworks in the borders

It will be Bonfire Night soon but now is the time to think about creating some fireworks in the garden next season.

5. Enjoy grass of class

It is at times like these that I wonder about the value of a lawn.

6. Ready for a real raking

Autumn is a very good time for a garden workout and raking must be the best exercise there is.

7. Perennial power

The time has come to take inside any tender plants you treasure to ensure they are not caught by an early frost.

8. Lillies leapt from the borders

Scent is always important in the garden and spring bedding offers an opportunity to bring more sweet perfumes in.

9. Now’s the time to pull on the wellies – and garden

Last Monday saw the vernal equinox and from now until the spring our nights will be longer than the days.

10. Reading in bloom despite the gloom