First the bad news! The London Met Office has warned that the winter 2011/12 will be similar to our last three winters with cold and snow caused by high pressure trapped around our Islands.
Now the good news! These long range forecasts are usually rubbish and the opposite may be true.

Even better news for your garden is if you prepare in advance and now is your big opportunity to plan and execute.

Gardeners Tips Preparing for Winter

• Leave the berries on your shrubs to provide food and energy for birds.
• Do not be excessively tidy, piles of leaves and twigs make safe havens for overwintering wild life.
• Stake susceptible trees and check ties to avoid wind damage.
• Bring all none frost proof containers into shelter. Wrap tender subjects in hessian.
• Take cuttings of plants you want to try overwinter just in case. Keep them in frost free conditions.
• Do not worry snow is a good insulator but the weight can bend even strong branches so be prepared to knock it off before it piles up.

Keep Smiling Plan for Spring Round the Corner

• Buy and plant bulbs to cheer yourself up during warm spells.
• Winter pansies, wallflowers, primulas and other plants planted now can get spring off to a colourful start.
• Get construction and heavy maintenance jobs out of the way so you can concentrate on plants and gardening when the weather improves.
• Dig your vegetable patch and leave large clods of earth to be broken down by the frost.
• Sit back, buy your seeds from the many catalogues or mail order and dream of warm spring and summer next year.