Protect this one delicate plant right now so it doesn't succumb to winter frost

As the weather gets colder, there's one crucial thing all gardeners need to look out for - and Monty Don has shared his expert advice on the matter

As the nights begin to draw in and we edge closer to the winter months, all those with a passion for gardening are well aware there's a heap of work to be done before the first frost sets in.

Autumn is a particularly bustling period for green-thumbed individuals and with November about to begin, gardening guru Monty Don has dished out his top tips on one of the most crucial tasks to tackle.

The television favourite said with the impending chill, it's time to start moving certain plants indoors to shield them from the frosty bite and severe winter conditions. He emphasises the importance of getting sensitive plants "in under cover before they need protection".

A "tender plant" typically originates from warmer climates, such as the Mediterranean, meaning they're not naturally equipped to handle freezing temperatures or excessive moisture.

On his website, Don details this includes bananas, salvias, citrus, pomegranates, olives, pelargoniums, succulents, fuchsias, eucomis and hedychium.

The horticulture expert says cannas and dahlias "can be left in situ until the first signs of frost damage have affected them," reports the Mirror.

He advises that once these plants show frost damage, they should be "cut back, dug up and bought indoors to check over before storing in old potting compost in a cool, dark place where they will stay alive but not grow over winter".

If you're lucky enough to have a greenhouse or lean-to, that's the ideal place to shelter your delicate plants during the colder months. But for those plants that are too cumbersome to move, the Royal Horticultural Society suggests wrapping them in horticultural fleece.

They also recommend using alternatives like bracken, hessian, polystyrene, or straw for added protection.

If the forecast hints at an unusually warm spell or a prolonged bout of mild weather, it's wise to remove any coverings to prevent your plants from overheating and potentially succumbing to rot.

Gardening expert Monty highlights now is the prime time to "invest in horticultural fleece and cloches", mini greenhouses that can be placed over vulnerable plants and easily moved to wherever they're most needed.

Cloches are particularly useful for vegetable rows, offering both warmth and dryness, though Don prefers to keep the ends open to balance heat with ventilation. For temporary frost defence, meanwhile, he says fleece is unbeatable, whether laid over smaller plants or draped across shrubs and bushes.

Don also suggests now is the time to snip cuttings from your garden and gather seeds from your perennial blooms, which will "save yourself a fortune". He notes that keeping your seeds in a paper bag is crucial, and suggests staying on top of things by labelling each bag "immediately" before tucking them away in a "cool dry place until ready for sowing".