Propagate shrubs and perennials by taking hardwood or root cuttings.

The air may be cold but the soil is still retaining some warmth, so it's a good time to plant that hedge you have always wanted, or shrubs and trees. Get rid of your old roses and replace with new. The warmth in the soil means good strong root growth so get them in now in case heavy snow comes along and the soil freezes.

If you're thinking of seeding a new lawn in spring then you need to be preparing the ground now. Dig the area over making sure you remove all perennial weeds. Leave the soil clumpy and rough as the weather will break this down.

Prune vines while they are still dormant. Cut off last years canes which fruited and tie down the new ones.