Jobs in the garden this weekend with Brian Kidd

'¢Most books recommend pruning Autumn Bliss raspberries in February but in the south canes can be cut to soil level as soon as they finish fruiting. Then apply a top dressing of well-rotted manure all over the bed. A four-inch layer.

'¢Are you making leaf mould? Put 12in layers in large old compost bags turned inside out. After each layer sprinkle on one part urine to seven parts water. Remember, sprinkle, don't pour. It will be ready in 12 months.

'¢Take off every rose leaf which has black spot and put them in the bin. Pick up all fallen leaves too and spray roses with copper mixture dissolved in water. Spray the bushes and the soil's surface too. Use the strength recommended for copper deficiency.

'¢Plant a few narcissus bulbs in a pot in John Innes No2 or 3 compost and put them out in the greenhouse for an early display. When blooming in February, they will cheer up the lounge no end.

'¢Pick off the yellowing leaves on all types of cabbage but in particular Brussels sprouts. This encourages a flow of air below the crown of the plants and reduces the disease which causes sprouts to rot.

'¢Plant crocus corms any time between now and December. Choose separate colours. Don't buy mixed because from a distance, the white flowers look as if someone has dropped litter in the drift of flowers.

'¢You have probably lifted your potatoes, allowed them to dry in the wind before half filling potato sacks. Check them this week to ensure there are no rotten tubers in the bags. If you smell a strange smell in the shed '“ it's rotting potatoes.