Now that you have enjoyed the garden through the summer months it's time to prepare for harsher weather through the winter. There are lots of jobs which will give you a garden which will look neat and tidy through these difficult times and they are best tackled as soon as possible.

General maintenance of woodwork is best done in September to protect your fences and sheds from the dampness that is associated with the winter months.

Now is the time to perform all those clearing up operations which will remove any summer debris from the garden. When the leaves start to fall in October it is best to get them raked up as soon as possible before they start to become a nuisance. If you have a pond it is a good idea to put some netting over it to keep it free from leaves. Before you do that give it a good tidy up and remove the pump it you have one to avoid it freezing.

Any new grass areas should be prepared and laid or seeded to give them a chance to establish themselves before the really harsh weather comes. If you have any soft landscaping plans then this is an ideal time to get them under way. Dig over any empty areas of soil while the soil is forgiving and think about how best to use them.

From a planting perspective, if you have new trees, shrubs or perennials then the best time to plant these is September. Spring flowering plants should also be planted at this time. Don't forget to get your spring bedding plants into your containers also. October is a good time to plant any new climbers and perennials.

Any tender plants should be lifted and placed under cover to give them a chance to survive for use next year. This includes your dahlias and summer flowering bulbs.

Give your hedges a final trim if needed to keep them looking shapely and tidy through the winter months.

As November approaches, it's time for that final touch up. Do any tidying up that needs doing following the ravages of autumn. Protect any newly planted shrubs from the frost and wind. Plant some tulip bulbs which will brighten up your garden in the spring.

Think about the local wildlife and if you have any bird feeders make sure they are topped up with essential seeds and nuts to help our feathered friends get through the winter.

Prepare for next year by getting your gardening tools in order. Your lawnmower will perform much better with some annual maintenance including sharpening ready for the new growth. The same applies to any shears or edging tools.

Once the frost starts to appear, make sure you keep off the lawn.

These tips will keep your garden looking good through the bad weather and make it easy to get back into the gardening swing when the growing weather arrives.