Weather forecast predicts snow and ice

Frost proof terracotta pots and hardy plants will survive but any porous planters that may not be able to defend against ice expansion, and tender plants, should be stored away because the temperatures are set to fall dramatically by this weekend.

According to forecasters, the North, especially Scotland, will see snow while the South will suffer with wintry showers.

Don't be fooled by the mild air in the first part of this week because, as the wind turns, the temperature will fall and the wind chill increase dramatically.

From a garden maintenance perspective, some frost and cold temperatures are needed to accelerate the Oak leaves in their descent to the floor.

We also need some low temperatures to kill off the bugs this year. The last couple of winters have been too mild but a good hard frost lasting a couple of days to a week will kill off Whitefly - Trialeurodes vaporariorum.

The last of the herbaceous plants will start to lose their turgidity and blacken. You will need to decide if you are one of those tidy gardeners who has to cut back and mulch to make borders look 'arty' through the winter or leave the debris and dry stems as a frost protection with an early spring cut back and mulch.

Further reading: Are your plant pots frost proof?