Choose a dry day to hoe between cabbages and other winter plants.

Complete the lifting and storage of carrots and beetroot. Twist off (instead of cutting) the upper growth of beetroot. Beetroot especially is often declined because of its usual serving in vinegar. However, plain boiled or roasted beetroot is delicious with a Sunday roast or served with other roasted root vegetables.

If you are growing brussels sprouts, stake them during winter to help keep them stable in high winds. Remove any yellowing leaves.

If you layered carnations in the summer, they will be rooted by now and can be severed by cutting the joint nearest to the parent plant. Lift them 4 days later and replant or repot.

Now is the time to finish planting bulbs. If the winter is warmer, you might be able to do it later but do give them time to establish.