Cold not over yet – so be prepared

But February also has a reputation for being a bit on the sub-zero side, so it still makes sense to try to winter-proof your garden.

So, here are a few suggestions of how to go about it.

Re-stock fuel for greenhouse heaters, and insulate greenhouses and frames with bubble polythene. For extra protection, lay fleece over plants in greenhouses or frames and cover frames with old carpets at night or during severe cold snaps. Move tender plants in pots to a greenhouse or conservatory. Otherwise wrap the pots in bubble wrap or bin liners filled with straw, cardboard or leaves, and put in a sheltered but light place.

Go easy on watering your containers – plants with dryish roots will resist cold better than ones in soggy compost.

Mulch the root zone of evergreens, conifers, tender shrubs and tender perennials with coarse organic matter to help exclude frost and prevent ground being frozen.

Wrap tender foliage in fleece and pack straw inside to limit frost damage. Avoid letting lifted dahlias, cannas, gladiolus, stored vegetables and fruits freeze.

Shake snow off hedges and trees to prevent the snow's weight causing breakages. Drain watering equipment, sprayers and external plumbing.

And pray for warmer weather.

While on the subject of snow, a reader asks: "I know that it's recommended that gardeners knock the snow off plants, but sometimes it's best left on because it insulates plants and keeps them warmer?"

True on both counts. With the first point, however, I would always recommend that when snow becomes dangerously heavy, it should be swept or knocked off plants which are in danger of being damaged.

As regards the insulation properties of snow... some plants do benefit by being covered with a blanket of snow. Even those, such as this bay laurel and olive (both grown in containers) seem to be quite happy – probably happier than if they were allowed to ice over, like the rose, pictured below.

Many low-growing plants, including bulbs, don't seem to mind snow because it actually keeps the ground warmer.

Prolonged icy weather can do more damage than a moderate blanket of snow. It's striking the right balance – when to clear snow and when to leave well alone.