Winter may be a quiet time for our gardens, but it is a great opportunity when it comes to forward planning and clearing space ready for the next season.

The TemperatureRadar has been showing the changing season and you may feel more inclined to stay indoors, but there's no reason to neglect your outdoor space. In fact, there are certainly a few key tasks for your to-do list through winter.

As plants begin to wilt with the drop in temperature, take the time to tend to your borders. Cutting back perennials and leveling ground will help the local insect population; you can spread a layer of compost or bark to protect the ground and offer them some living space.

Safety calls for a good clean too. Clear the autumnal leaves from walkways to ensure there are no slips just before the icy months. Also, it’s easy to forget the furniture. Keep wooden furniture under wraps and consider carrying out maintenance now to prepare them for the change in weather.

One positive of the slower period is the chance it gives us to carry out maintenance on our tools. When in full flow, many gardening tools can deteriorate as they are used daily, treat them to a good scrub and clean. You can use sandpaper to remove rust and sharpen them for the new year.