Kitchen garden
- Harvest the last of winter crops and compost any (undiseased) debris
- Germinate aubergines, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and chillies indoors at 21°c (70°f), in a heated propagator
- In the milder regions start planting early potatoes. Protect the growth from frost.
- Protect young seedling with fleece or cloches during cold nights.
- Plant asparagus crowns in well prepared beds enriched with organic matter on ridges within trenches.
Ornamental Gardens
- Cut down any remaining growth of perennials and grasses left over winter, taking care not to damage new shoots
- Divide summer-flowering perennials such as Astrantia, Hemerocallis and Hosta as new growth begins
- Do not mulch with spent mushroom compost around acid loving plants such as rhododendrons and camellias as it contains lime.
- Move evergreen shrubs and plant evergreen hedging plants such as yew and holly.
- For wildflowers on cultivated, fertile soils sow cornfield type annual seed mixes.
- If grown for a foliage effect or to control growth, pollard trees such as Paulownia and Catalpa.
- Shorten stems of Buddleja davidii to within two to three pairs of healthy buds.
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Glasshouse and indoor plants
- Keep greenhouse and conservatory glass clean so seedlings get the maximum amount of light
- Continue to ventilate when weather permits, to reduce disease spread
- To get a head start pot up cannas, dahlias and begonias
Pests, disease and disorders
- Where rose blackspot is a problem, when pruning remove shoots showing black spot scabs or lesions in the spring and spray the bushes with a suitable fungicide immediately after pruning
- Protect new growth of vulnerable perennials and germinating vegetable seedlings from slug and snail damage
- Considering growing mangetouts where pea moth is troublesome.
Lawn
- Start mowing lawns provided that the ground is not too wet gradually reducing mowing height.
- Finish laying turf before the weather turns warm and dry
Wildlife gardening
- Continue feeding birds as natural food can be scarce
- Clean nesting boxes