GENERAL

Protect recently planted and vulnerable evergreens from chill winds. Fine mesh soft green netting supported by stakes or canes is ideal.

Wash and disinfect any seed trays or pots that are going to be used during the coming season.

Make any structural alterations to the garden. Remake or re-align paths, erect fencing or trellis.

LAWN

If the weather is open and the grass continues to grow, mow it with the mower blades set high. Grass should be cut no lower than 2.5cm and the cuttings must be removed. If the grass requires cutting it is important to do so, even if the gardening books suggest differently.

POND

In prolonged frosty weather keep a small area ice-free with an electric pool heater. This allows the escape of gases resulting from the decomposition of vegetation on the floor of the pool, which if trapped may asphyxiate the fish.

FLOWERS

Plant bare-rooted roses and decorative shrubs when the weather is open. Incorporate plenty of shrub planting compost into the holes at planting time.

Freshly lifted bare-rooted herbaceous perennials can continue to be planted when the soil is not frosted.

After a sharp frost check all recently planted shrubs, perennials and spring bedding plants for frost heave. This is the lifting of the soil around the plants. When this happens await the thaw and firm the plants back.

VEGETABLES

Exhibition onions should be sown under glass. Use a soil-based compost and keep in full light, but cool and frost-free.

Purchase seed potatoes and place them in a light, cool, frost-free position in seed trays. Stand them with the “rose end” upwards. This is the end with most eyes and from where they will sprout.

Rounded seeded peas can be sown directly into the soil beneath cloches.

FRUIT

Plant new soft fruit bushes and canes. Shorten back the past season’s growth of gooseberries and redcurrants by one third. Cut raspberries and blackcurrants back to within 5cm of ground level.

GREENHOUSE

Make early sowings of fine seeded bedding plants like petunia, lobelia and fibrous rooted begonias in a heated propagator.

Sow greenhouse tomatoes, peppers and aubergines in heat.