With the weather turning colder, the most important job in the garden this month is protecting tender plants.

Conditions have been so mild recently that it is easy to forget that tender perennials will not appreciate a sudden frost and need to be brought into a frost-free greenhouse or a cool room in the house.

If space is a problem, prune back the plants as much as you can or take some cuttings instead; species such as pelargoniums root very easily.

Plants in pots and containers kept outside will also need protecting from harsh weather. Move them to a sunny, sheltered spot and raise off the ground on bricks to stop the soil getting waterlogged. Wet, cold soil can be a killer of the hardiest of plants, especially when they are confined in a pot. Insulate non-frost proof containers with bubble wrap or 'duvets' made from bin liners stuffed with screwed-up newspaper. These duvets can also be used to insulate rabbit and guinea pig hutches.

Continue to collect fallen leaves, especially from lawns, ponds, gutters and drains. Spread them under shrubs or store in a wire mesh container or bin liners to make leaf mould.

Put a few drainage holes in the bottom of the liners and some air holes in the top to allow rainwater in and out of the bag. After 18 months to two years, the leaves should have broken down into leaf mould and can be spread around the garden to enrich the soil.

Planting can still be done this month so long as the soil isn't too wet or frozen.

Lily and tulip bulbs can go into the garden as can deciduous trees, climbers, shrubs and hedges, roses and fruit trees, bushes and canes. Deciduous plants may also be moved but delay planting or moving evergreen specimens until spring.

November can be a windy month so make sure climbers are securely tied in and that any tree ties are secure. Don't make them too tight since less damage will be caused to a tree that is able to move with the wind a little. Shrubs such as buddleia can be pruned by about one third to prevent wind damage, with harder pruning carried out in early spring.

Wallflowers will give evergreen cover over winter and should still be available for planting now. Dry-rooted bundles will look sorry for themselves for a while but will pick up after a few days. Give them a helping hand by soaking them in a bucket of water before planting.

Updated: 15:48 Monday, January 21, 2002