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Winter is a brilliant time for gardeners to tidy up, take stock, protect plants and plan ahead. But what should we be doing now to prepare for the first frost?

With cold weather on its way, the gardening experts at The Greenhouse People have shared their top eco-friendly ways to prepare your garden for winter. From rebuilding your compost stash to saving water, there are heaps of ways we can garden greener. Take a look at what to do below...

While starting a compost bin in spring offers opportunities to take advantage of the warmer weather, each season presents its own advantages. If you're keen to start composting, you can easily start your heap using leftover soil from seasonal pots, fallen leaves, grass clippings, and wind-fallen fruit.

Already got your compost heap in shipshape? The Greenhouse People explain why you should have a tidy up:

'Top up your plant beds, lather it on to your driest soil and cover any lacklustre lawn to make room for the new batch before cleaning up your garden. This way, all the waste from your big tidy will rebuild your winter stash. If you host friends or family in the garden this winter, as per the guidelines, investing in a chimenea or firepit will help you use up your garden waste while keeping you warm.'

Before freezing temperatures arrive, it's important you know which plants need your help to survive — and which will make it through winter. According to The Greenhouse People, now is the ideal time to dig up those summer bulbs and save them for next spring. To ensure they survive, place bulbs in a dark, cool space.

'Some summer plants can even be transferred and potted indoors for a DIY houseplant. Geraniums, for one, can flourish inside in pretty pots – just make sure they're placed in naturally well-lit areas of your home,' The Greenhouse People explain.

Not sure what to do with empty plant pots lying around? Some of the great ways to reuse pots is to clean them ready for the warmer weather or bring them inside to use for houseplants. 'Just remember to cover the base of any outdoor pots with drainage holes with a shallow dish to avoid damaging spills,' The Greenhouse people advise. 'You can find ones made from recyclable plastic or natural materials like bamboo.'

Garden plastics, such as plant pots, seed trays and tools and furniture, cannot be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin. If you don't have use for them come winter, drop them off at your local garden centre to be recycled. Dobbies offer a pot recycling scheme, while Recycle Now has a handy list of the recycling schemes in your postcode.

Summer has shifted to autumn, but that doesn't mean it's the end of growing season. In fact, there are winter hardy forms of salad lettuce that you can sow and grow in a glasshouse during the colder months. Some of the veggies that will stand through winter include carrots, broad beans, cabbage, Brussels sprout, cauliflower, celery and collards. Time to slip on your gardening gloves (and winter coat)...

'Growing vegetables in a greenhouse does tend to make them flourish faster, as you can create their perfect environment and temperature,' The Greenhouse People say. 'Consider investing in a compost heater to create combustion-free heat.'

Gardens need rain, which is why collecting water for dry seasons is brilliant. As rainy days become more frequent, use a water butt to collect and store rainwater.

'The water can be reused on your garden and houseplants, or in your greenhouse. This is much better for plant health, as it is without purification unlike tap water,' add The Greenhouse People. 'If you have any water features in your garden or bird baths, make sure to cover these up when temperatures are below zero to avoid them freezing over.'

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This gorgeous outdoor lantern from Oliver Bonas deserves a spot on your garden table, or tied up from a tree branch! We love the spherical silhouette. Solar powered, this teal lantern comes with an LED light which turns on automatically at dusk and off at dawn.

Garden mirrors are a must-have accessory and an essential for creating an outdoor living room look. They're great for creating the illusion of extra space, breaking up an expanse of bare wall and brightening up a duller area. Arch mirrors in particular are keen favourites and this design from Crocus – with frost protected glass – will be an elegant addition to your space.

Bring Orla Kiely's popular classic Linear stem design to your garden with this stylish outdoor rug in a rich Jade Green.

A brilliant way to add a touch of rustic to your outdoor space, the splayed legs on this fire pit will give your garden some serious wow factor.

Even the smallest outdoor areas can benefit from some beautiful blooms or vegetables. This hanging planter is the ideal solution for increasing planting in small gardens, and especially on balconies. There are two hooks for added stability. If you don’t fancy grey, this House Beautiful planter is also available in teal and orange.

A big part of outdoor living is all about creating ambience, and these super stylish metal lanterns will definitely do the job. With a clear glass, this lantern from H&M opens at one side. Add a candle and scatter a few on the patio, or equally it’ll work well on decking.

Whether you want to hide an unsightly fence or boring wall, invest in a stylish garden screen, which also provides privacy. The Alhambra is inspired by the traditional design of windows seen in Arabic architecture. Screen With Envy have a great selection of screens to suit all outdoor spaces, from traditional to contemporary.

If you can't quite get on board with a hammock (literally) then a hanging chair is the next best (if not better) option. It's the grown-ups version of a hammock and means you don't need two trees to tie it to.

A garden parasol is essential for summer and we’re fond of this practical crank and tilt design. This sage green parasol features a beaded droplet trim and a tented top – it's certain to be a talking point.

Lighting is a major element of interior design so apply the same principles to your garden. These sculpture-like light orbs are great because it offers dual power – an integral solar panel charges the light throughout the summer months, then during winter you can ensure atmospheric light all night long by charging via USB. Perfect for a contemporary garden, style these orbs on patios, decking and seating areas, as well as in borders.

Give the birds somewhere safe to nest and shelter with this super stylish speckled grey birdhouse with a bamboo roof.

An on-trend way to light up your outdoor space, you really can't go wrong with festoon lights. With a warm white glow, these festoons from Lights4fun have a built-in daylight sensor which means they illuminate as darkness falls, and there's a little hook on the side of each bulb cap to make it easy to hang.

Made from Fibreclay cement, this House Beautiful woven basket-effect planter suits both contemporary and traditional garden settings. With a 44cm diameter, this is a great pot to make a statement in the centre or corner of your garden. Now you just need to decide what plant to put in!

Whether you want to pop some drinks and a bowl of food onto a side table or use it to display a floral centrepiece or a lantern, a slimline design like this will be a useful addition to your outdoor space. It's also available in charcoal, clay, ink, lemon and pomegranate.

There's no point spending hours in your garden if you can’t get comfortable. Bring your indoor comforts out with blankets and throws to create a cosy feel – it’s also ideal for when the temperature cools come evening. We love The White Company’s large woven outdoor blanket. Made from pure Turkish cotton, it has a stylish nautical-inspired stripe and is finished with a tasselled edge. We’d drape this over our garden sofa or snuggle up with it in a hanging egg chair.

Outdoor living is very much about bringing the indoors out, so think about all those finer decorative accessories that can elevate your garden. This hanging garden chain features three metal bees, with the base of the chain featuring a spiral with glass ball weight. Finished in a distressed pale brown with rusted patches, it's great for hanging from a tree in your garden or other structures, such as a pergola or arbour.

Details matter, even in the garden, which is why we love these elephant plant pot feet. Perfect for your containers on the patio or on decking, these pot feet will elevate planters but also aid in drainage, increase air circulation, and keep slugs and snails at bay. And good news, it's buy two, get one free.

Looking to have some phone-free fun with the family this summer? This colourful, extra large wooden tower game is great for both indoor and outdoor use.

We've already talked about an outdoor rug, but it's also a good idea to invest in a runner – they're hardwearing and weatherproof and perfect for high traffic areas in the garden.

This pretty handmade earthenware pot is adorned with blossoming motifs and makes a great centrepiece on your outdoor table with your favourite plant.

These outdoor solar lanterns create mesmerising patterns across your patio or shrubbery at night. The soft lighting adds a calm glow to an outdoor space and, best of all, there's no need for batteries or an electric point outside.

Transform your seating area with this cosy floor cushion. Made from 100 per cent cotton, it will give your garden an instant refresh. Perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.

Made from metal, these oval trough planters would look great on a patio, raised decking area or a balcony.