1. Trees, shrubs and roses

There is still time to plant both deciduous and evergreen trees. Better to wait until now than to have planted into wet soil.

Rose bushes should be pruned before any more new growth takes place – late pruning delays flowering. Rose bushes can be planted at any time from pots.

2. Flowers

Seeds of geraniums, lobelia, busy lizzie and bedding begonias can be sown in a heated propagator.

Lifting and dividing of herbaceous flowers can resume as it had to be halted due to very wet soil conditions for much of the winter. If the soil is dry enough, hoe out weeds.

3. Fruit, vegetables and herbs

Plant fruit trees and bushes. Pruning of apple and pear trees and blackcurrant bushes should be completed as soon as possible.

Plant garlic and shallots sets if the ground is dry enough to till. Sow early varieties of cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce and onions in greenhouse.

4. Lawn

Ideally, the lawn should have had a first cut by now.

The ground has been wet and it has not been possible to mow only on well-drained ground.

Apply lawn mosskiller if there is heavy moss growth. Trim the lawn edges after the first cut to leave the lawn looking neat.

5. Greenhouse and house plants

Carry out a full spring-clean of the greenhouse to have it ready for seed-sowing and new plants later in the spring.

Sow seeds of tomatoes for greenhouse growing, also peppers and chillis. House plants can be watered a little more and have the dust washed off their leaves.

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