DIY gardening - get soil ready for winter weather

With the Easter weekend on its way in just a few weeks and a hint of autumn in the air already, it's no secret that the warm summer days are nearly over.

This means that if you have been procrastinating when it comes to garden DIY projects, now is the time to act - and get your outdoor space ready for winter.

A little bit of forward planning can go a long way - and you'll find that if you are well-prepared now, you'll be able to get planting in the springtime with very little hassle.

A good place to start is by clearing out any weeds or old growth - even if this means leaving some of your garden beds empty for a few months. This can actually be beneficial for the soil, as it allows it to 'breathe'.

If one of your household goals is to become more environmentally-friendly, the autumn and winter months are also a great time to think about composting. It doesn't cost much to set up a garden compost - and you'll find that the organic matter can be a valuable fertiliser you can add to your garden soil all year round.

With the right natural fertilisers and a bit of extra soil care, your garden will be ready to go when the temperature heats up again.