There's so much to do in the garden at this time of the year but if time is short these are the jobs that will make the biggest difference.
Now is the time to plant spring flowering bulbs. Plant up as many as you can in the time you have, and concentrate on early flowering types like crocus.
Top tip: Use a spade and put two or three bulbs in each hole; this will look more natural and make the job go more quickly.
Time it: In an hour you should be able to plant 30-50 bulbs – if your soil isn't too hard!
DIVIDE AND CONQUER
Dividing is a great way to fill any gaps in your planting. And now, before the weather gets too bad, is the time to do it. Any perennial with lots of stems can be divided – so things like phlox, geraniums, persicaria will be perfect.
Top tip: Don't be afraid to get quite physical with the plant you dig up, you might need secateurs, or even a saw, to cut them into pieces. As long as each piece has both roots and shoots it should be fine.
Time it: Some of these are quite a job to get up, divide and re-plant, so aim to tackle just one plant.
If you like a plant and it's got seeds, it's worth collecting them. Some seeds are easier to get to germinate than others: nigella, alliums, nasturtiums are among the easiest but try things out and see what works for you.
Top tip: With seed collecting the three key things are; to store them in paper bags or envelopes, label them well, and keep them in a cold dry place until you sow them.
Time it: In an hour you can collect seeds from a lot of plants. But remember to leave time to label and store them carefully.
Not the most glamorous way to spend an hour but it will pay dividends. Not only will your garden look so much better but clearing dead and dying plants also helps to keep disease down.
Top tip: Always have an easy way to get rid of the debris as this is the worst part of tidying. A big bag that can be taken straight to the recycling or tipped on to the compost bin helps. If you're short of time, focus on the patio and paths as tidying these will make the most impact.
Time it: With a good plan to get rid of the rubbish you should be able to clear the patio and paths in 60 minutes. If you do get onto the lawn or beds, start with what you can see from the house.
If you have tender plants, protect them now before the frosts start. Perhaps the most common tender plant is bay topiary. But you may also have bananas or tree ferns, cannas or dahlias. Big plants need to be wrapped; small plants need to be covered or dug up and brought in.
Top tip: Wrapping and moving bigger plants is so much easier with two pairs of hands.
Time it: Protecting plants is more fiddly than it looks and it's a job that needs to be done well if it's to last all winter. I'd say that covering one or two plants is maximum you can achieve in a hour if it's done well.
ENJOY A SHOPPING SPREE
One of the best things to do to make a difference in your garden doesn't actually involve gardening at all. New winter flowering bedding plants like pansies will cheer up any containers or window boxes. Or, look for autumn and winter flowering plants like Sarcococcas or Camellia sasanqua.
Top tip: Look for ready planted containers of winter colour. These look fab and it's so much easier just have to place them nicely and then admire from the window with a cup of tea.
Time it: If your garden centre is nearby, buying and potting up winter bedding is possible in a hour, but you may want to spend longer!