WHILE many plants thrive in the summer, it can be a whole load harder to keep your plants alive during the winter months, when there's downpours and frost to contest with.
But luckily Gardening World host Monty Don has revealed a budget buy that can help to protect plants and shrubs from the colder weather – and it costs just £5.
Sharing his top tips in a post on his blog, the gardening expert explained: “Climate change has made our winters warmer and wetter.
“Twenty-five years ago you could depend upon a spell of a week or so of sharp frost around the middle of November where the temperature would remain below freezing for days on end, but this is becoming increasingly unlikely.
“However the temperature can plummet very quickly indeed overnight and semi-tender shrubs like pomegranate, olive, bay or citrus grown in containers – which are healthiest kept outside as long as possible – can suffer real damage.
"The solution is to have squares of horticultural fleece.”
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A horticultural fleece is often a lightweight fabric which can be either laid or wrapped around plants to help protect them from frosty climates.
They can be bought from Amazon for as little as £5, with garden centres flogging them from anywhere up to £30.
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According to Monty Don, the bargain buy will help to offer enough protection against light frosts which the UK will typically see in early winter.
However, he warns that if temperatures drop below freezing, then a double layer might be required, or plants will need to be moved indoors for added protection.
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He explains that the horticultural fleece is simple to use and needs to just be lightly secured to some twine – making it easy to remove once temperatures start to increase.
Fabulous previously told of the gardening jobs you need to do this October, according to Monty Don.
Among them is raking any fallen leaves into a leafmound, which involves gathering "as many of the fallen leaves as possible," then chopping them up with a mower and leaving them in a heap so they can break down and be used in potting compost.
He also advises planning ahead for spring and says: "Save yourself a fortune by collecting seeds from perennial plants, using paper (not polythene) bags.
"Remember to label the bags so you remember what they are and leave them in a cool, dry place until it's time to sow them."
"You can also take cuttings with a sharp knife on healthy but non-flowering growth, and add to peat-free compost for it them to grow successfully.
"Spring bulbs can still be planted, minus tulips which should be left for another month."
He adds that to keep your plants looking their best, it's vital to deadhead them throughout October.
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