Gardeners urged to do one thing with autumn leaves or risk dead plants

October is a month where the final bits of need to be done before the winter sets in.

It's nearly time for the before the colder weather kicks in but there are other things you should do to make your life easier in the spring.

Make sure to keep on top of falling leaves as the autumn kicks in. These leaves can harbour fungal spores and provide hiding places for which could ruin the progress you've made on your garden.

Once you've swept them all into a pile, you can use them to make leaf mould rather than putting them in the bin.

Another important tip for this time of year is to protect half-hardy plants with fleece or bring them into a frost-free greenhouse, say gardening experts .

Half-hardy plants are halfway between the tender perennials such as impatiens which can live several years if given sufficient heat for the winter, and hardy perennials which can be left out in the garden to return into growth for several years even after cold winters.

Other tasks you should consider include making sure your greenhouse is mostly empty and giving it a good clean and clear out. Greenhouses can get messy in the height of summer so this tip will help you prevent pests and diseases over the winter months.

If you have a garage or a shed in your , make sure it's all clean and tidy so that next spring when you come to begin your gardening work again you'll have an organised area to grab your pots, planters and gardening tools from.

For the , make sure to prune any rambling or climbing roses and tie the stems before autumn winds cause damage. This precaution might not seem obvious or may even seem like it's not needed but winter weather can be unpredictable.

Another top tip is to mulch with bark chips or leaf mould - adding this protective covering will help your garden survive the winter months.

Completing these garden tasks now will give your garden the best chance of surviving the winter and by spring, you'll be in a great position to .