Soil pests continue to be such in the winter, particularly wireworms and cutworms, slugs and snails. Some gardens can be relatively clear of slugs and snails if they are visited by large and small birds. Other gardens need attention. One old trick for cutworms and wireworms is to put a potato and carrot on thin sticks or meat skewers and bury them so that the stick is visible. Check them weekly and kill what you find.

January is a good time of year to lay turf.