IF the weather is cold and possibly wet and you happen to look out of a window into your garden, it would be hardly surprising if you decided to stay indoors.

However, if you can get out, you usually feel much better for it. I certainly find it is usually well worth the effort to get out and do some gardening.

A little exercise, the fresh air and feeling that I have accomplished something in the garden can be really rewarding and uplifting too. The days are almost at their shortest and so we really do need to make the most of what light we can get.

If you are feeling energetic, clear leaves from paths, spread compost from compost heaps around the garden to improve the soil and take hardwood cuttings from deciduous trees. These cuttings are very easy to take and we usually have a high success rate with them. They need no special care and attention and can be left outside.

At this time of the year, we start to see the outlines of our gardens more clearly including the hard landscaping (like pathways, walls and patios) and key trees and shrubs. This can be very helpful when we may want to plan what changes we may want to make in the new year including possibly moving plants and new plantings.

I have been cutting down the stems of many of my Japanese anemones which flowered in early autumn. I try to leave most old plant stems in place to provide habitats for over-wintering wildlife until late winter or early spring. But I also want to see around the garden and be able to get views of the white snowdrops and snowflakes that will be starting to flower from January onwards.

The more I look around the garden, the more there is to see. Our red-leaved spindle tree has been looking amazing. The scented yellow flowers on our mahonia have been most enjoyable. The outlines of the trunks of trees and the shapes of leaves can be really beautiful at this time of the year.

Try to enjoy different aspects and parts of your garden. I have been looking much more at the tones and textures of many evergreen trees as I collect material to make Christmas wreaths. Our winter irises are also starting to flower.

I know that so much promise awaits in the garden with scented witch hazels and daphnes about to flower soon followed by hellebores too and much more.

Start to plan your vegetable sowing next year. There really is plenty to be planning and thinking about in the garden at this time of the year.

Martin Pallett