This week in the garden...

:: Clean up your pots if you haven't already, brushing off dirt with a hard-bristled brush and discarding those which have broken, which can then be used as crocks.

:: Sprinkle a thin layer of compost over the ground to enrich the soil and set off the flowers of early spring bulbs when they come through.

:: Order seeds to be sown in January or February.

:: Protect vulnerable plants from frost and wind damage.

:: Check on bulbs being forced for indoor display every week so you don't miss flowering.

:: If the soil is not waterlogged or frozen, continue winter digging.

:: Clear borders of weeds and debris to keep them neat and prevent a build-up of garden pests and diseases.

:: Order new summer-flowering bulbs in good time from a reputable supplier.

:: Replace plant ties which have rotted before plants start growing actively.

:: Examine stored dahlia tubers every few weeks and discard ones which are showing signs of rotting.

:: In the greenhouse, if you want to force lilies to produce early flowers, pot them up now.

:: Protect early-flowering winter bulbous irises by covering them with a cloche.

:: Cut back suckers of rhododendrons at their point of origin.