Late autumn is tulip time. Plant them two to three times their own height deep, pointy end up, in well-drained soil or a pot of bulb mix.

Wet leaves block the light and invite moss. Rake little and often, then bag them up to rot down into leaf mould for next year.

A layer of bark or soil improver over empty beds protects the soil from winter rain and keeps weeds down until spring.

Scrape off the soil, dry the blades and wipe them with an oiled cloth. They'll be sharp and rust-free when you need them again.