1 Recycle your Christmas tree by shredding it for mulch.
2 Inspect stored tubers of dahlia, begonia and canna for rots or drying out. Remove any diseased or dried-out bulbs.
3 Plan vegetable crop rotations for the following season.
4 Cut off old leaves of hellebores that produce flowers from ground level to expose the flowers.
5 Collect leaves that have blown over alpine beds as these plants are easily smothered. Bare patches can be covered with gritty compost.
6 Watch out for downy mildew and black spot on winter pansies. Remove any infected leaves and destroy badly affected plants.
7 If there is snow in your area, then you may need to brush it off the branches of conifers, climbers and light-limbed shrubs and trees. Heavy snowfall can splay branches, break limbs and spoil the shape of the tree.
8 Ornamental vines, ivy, Virginia creeper and Boston ivy can be cut back now - it's a good idea to keep them away from windows, doors, gutters and roof tiles.