Gardeners must do one job from today to save their plants

This December, all gardening enthusiasts should prioritise a certain task to avoid potential damage. While many plants go dormant during the coldest months, winter is actually an ideal time to prepare your garden for the coming year.

This particular task needs immediate attention as neglecting it could result in harm to your garden and plants. The good news is that it's straightforward to handle, regardless of the size or type of your green space, be it a small patio, apartment balcony, or larger garden.

Terracotta pots, commonly used throughout UK gardens, can be damaged by frost, leading to cracks in low temperatures. As these pots are often the most affordable at local garden centres, many people use them to house their cherished plants, from herbs and flowers to vegetables.

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They require a bit of care during this season to survive the impending frosts. Fortunately, this task is incredibly easy to manage, with a few simple options available to protect these pots and their resident plants over winter.

As the frosty season approaches, gardeners are being advised on how to protect their terracotta pots from the harsh winter weather. Gardener's World expert Lucy Hall shares in a video that moving your pots indoors is "the only real remedy" to prevent them from cracking due to frost.

If they're too bulky or there's no room inside, wrapping them in bubble polythene is another viable option. It's crucial, she notes, to "stand them up off the ground" using plant pot feet to reduce frost damage.

Terracotta is particularly susceptible to cracking because moisture can seep into the clay, freeze, and expand, leading to surface flaking. Soil or compost expansion within the pot when frozen can also cause cracks.

To avoid such damage, Lucy suggests opting for terracotta pots with a frost-proof guarantee when making purchases.