January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

General Care

The gardener’s year really begins in March. Take advantage of dry spells to do your spring cultivation but remember that frosty nights will still occur. Do not be lulled into thinking that winter is over. Complete all digging, remove weeds from drives and paths. Make sure you have ordered all your seeds. If you’ve not done it already, check your garden tools are ready for the year including lawn mowers. Clean paths, patios, drives and steps.

Flower beds

Prune roses. Remove dead or damaged wood. Plant new roses now. Remember spring arrives at different times of the year depending on where you live. Remove dead daffodil blooms as they fade. Prune your clematis. Prune fuchsias at the end of the month. If your snowdrops are congested now is the time to separate them.

Lawn

Re-seed worn areas and repair edges. When grass begins to grow use selective weed and moss killer. Aerating lawns with a wire rake or even a fork improves drainage which helps to prevent moss from growing.

Pond

Remove leaves and debris. If there has been any winter damage to the pond repair or replace. If you have a pump now is the time to clean it and test it. Warmer weather means your fish will soon need feeding. As the water temperature reaches 15C start feeding as required. It may be necessary to divide some of your water plants. Water lilies can be planted from now until May. Frogs may spawn about now. Make sure your frogs have an exit path out of your pond. Put in a ramp or similar if necessary.

Greenhouse

Clean cloches and frames to ensure maximum light penetration. Sow tomatoes, pot on over wintered annuals. Plant summer flowering bulbs such as begonias. Sow other summer bedding plants and less hardy vegetables such as cucumbers and aubergines.

Vegetables

Now is the time to sow your seeds including Brussels sprouts, onions, radishes, peas, leeks etc. Early potatoes can be planted mid march. Cover rhubarb. Plant strawberry runners.

Indoors

Houseplants begin to need more water. Apply fertiliser sparingly to plants showing signs of growth. Pot on plants that have outgrown their pots. Remove dead or damaged leaves.