Cut this Pruning blackcurrants is one of my most cherished winter jobs because the cut stems smell just as delicious as the fruit. Identify the oldest stems – they will be the darkest in colour – and trim them down to the base so the total number of stems is reduced by a third.
Plant this Houseleeks – also known as sempervivums – are one succulent you can keep outside. Their fleshy rosettes will survive the winter if planted in a sunny spot with sharp drainage: they come in an array of colours, from shiny green to red. Try planting in paving cracks or shallow containers.
Read this If your new year’s resolution is to make your garden wildlife-friendly (and it should be), new RHS book How Can I Help Hedgehogs?, by Helen Bostock and Sophie Collins (£14,99, Octopus Publishing Group) is required reading to help you set your plans in motion.
