Gardeners are urged to put piles of leaves in flower beds this November (Image: Getty)
The UK is braced for its with on the forecast.
A has been issued by the for parts of northern England, Scotland, north Wales, the north Midlands and Northern Ireland, as households are warned to expect up to 20cm of snow in some areas.
As the weather turns distinctly colder, you may think it’s time to pack up your gardening equipment and lock it away in the shed until the warmth of spring arrives next year.
But gardeners may be surprised to learn that there are some essential jobs that need carrying out before winter sets in to help keep gardens in good condition.
According to gardening experts, November is a key month for tidying, pruning and planting in preparation for winter, and spending time doing one maintenance task will make a big difference next year.
Experts say gardeners should spend time clearing up leaves and debris from their lawns and then putting this foliage onto your flower beds.
Doing so will help protect the soil from freezing temperatures during the winter as it acts as an insulator, and it can also serve as a nesting site for wildlife.
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Jamie Shipley, gardening expert at , said: “Clear up leaves and debris from lawns – while this may feel like an endless task, keeping on top of it will keep lawns free of the smothering effects of decomposing material.
“However, instead of completely removing the leaves I recommend raking them from your lawn and paved areas onto your flower beds.
“The fallen foliage is actually a great heat insulator and will protect soil from becoming frozen in future cold snaps this winter. Wildlife also love leaf bundles as they can use them for nesting sites.”