It finally begins to feel like spring has arrived as the days lengthen and become warmer. Plants that were dormant now begin to show signs of life and early spring flowers start to put on a real show.
Borders
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Finish off pruning roses.
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Finish pruning back late summer and autumn flowering clematis.
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If not already done lift and divide snowdrops "in the green" when they have finished flowering.
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Lightly fork over borders and remove any weeds taking care not to damage emerging bulbs.
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Apply a general fertiliser such as fish, blood & bone, pelleted chicken manure or growmore to all plants.
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Take the old flower heads off winter flowering heathers and trim the plants to shape.
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Mulch any areas of garden not already done with well-rotted manure or compost.
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Remove the faded flowers of bulbs.
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Plant alpines for spring and early summer flowers.
Bedding Plants
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You can still order the plug plants you'd like for summer colour which will be delivered from the end of the month.
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Keep flowering plants looking their best by removing dead heads.
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Pot up any plug plants of summer flowering plants you may have bought and keep them in a frost free, sunny spot.
Containers
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Remove and replace the top 5 cm (2") of compost from containers holding permanent plants such as trees and shrubs.
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Water any containers that may have dried out in the wind.
Lawns
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Begin to lay new turf when there is no frost.
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Prepare areas ready for sowing grass seed.
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If cutting grass, set the mower at its highest setting.
Fruit
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Mulch raspberry canes with well rotted compost or manure.
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This is the latest time that bare-root fruit bushes and trees can be planted.
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In warmer areas spray Peaches and Nectarines to help control Peach leaf curl.
The Vegetable Garden
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Complete digging over vacant ground adding well-rotted manure or compost and a general purpose fertiliser such as fish, blood & bone.
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In mild areas plant early crop potatoes and shallots.
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Plant hardy herbs such as mint, sage and thyme.
The Greenhouse
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Sow seeds of beetroot, leek, lettuce and summer cabbage in a heated greenhouse.
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Sow tender annuals in a heated propagator.
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Watch out for fungal diseases and spray if necessary.
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Keep greenhouse heaters working efficiently.
Ponds
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Continue to protect ponds from freezing over completely.
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Begin to feed fish if the weather is mild.
General Tasks
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Continue to provide food and water for garden birds.
