• Prune shrub roses, clematis, apple & pear trees before end of April. 
  • Wisteria can be pruned back during January & March (and again during July & August). 
  • Buddleia should be cut back to almost ground level during February or March to encourage new flowering growth.
  • Autumn fruiting raspberries should be cut back to almost ground level February or March; summer fruiting types should be left.

  • For the flower garden, hardy annuals can be sown indoors and planted out when large enough and conditions favourable.

  • Snowdrops and winter aconites should be planted or moved whilst still growing (in the green).

  • Paperwhite narcissus and amaryllis can be planted now. 

  • Sweet peas can be planted indoors now.

  • For those desperate to grow their veg, seed potatoes can be obtained and kept in a frost free place until conditions are favourable (and the ground warmer) for planting. 

  • Broad beans, beetroot, onions, shallots, cabbage, cauliflower and leeks can all be started indoors ready for planting outdoors in due course. 

  • Carrots and parsnips can too, but fare much better when direct sown outside and do not transplant well, since they produce numerous twisted roots.

  • Rhubarb is probably showing signs of life and for an early harvest can be covered with a bucket to keep the light out for sweeter stems.

  • If feeding with manure or compost avoid burying the plant’s crown to avoid it rotting.

  • To lessen chances of bare lawn patches in summer, avoid walking on the frozen grass.