Once your winter flowering heathers have finished flowering now is the time to trim them back. Use garden shears to trim to the base of the flowering stalks, doing this will encourage side shoots and prevent the centre from going bare. Mulching them with ericaceous compost will encourage strong growth.

This is a good time to apply an organic fertilizer to your borders, try using blood, fish and bone. These fertilizers release their nutrients slowly, so they will be available when the plants start into growth in the spring.

Check plants grown in containers and pots for water, particularly evergreen plants as their foliage prevents rain from getting into the pot. Best time to water will be in the morning, avoid watering if frost is forecast as the water will freeze and damage the roots of the plant.