gardens
GARDEN JOBS
Here are some of the top jobs to be getting on with in the garden this month... 1. Prune bush and climbing roses Late winter (February or March) is often a good time for pruning roses. Head to the RHS website for tips on rose pruning.
You can start mowing your lawn if the weather is mild
2. Plant shallots, onion sets and early potatoes Onions are such a versatile vegetable – they feature in so many recipes, and growing your own means you’ll always have them to hand. 3. Plant summer-flowering bulbs Bulbs make a fine display planted in containers or borders, especially daffodils, snowdrops and tulips in spring. They are one of the easiest and most rewarding garden plants to grow. 4. Lift and divide overgrown clumps of perennials Dividing perennials regularly will ensure healthy, vigorous plants that will continue to perform year after year. It also offers the opportunity to multiply your plants for free! 5. Top dress containers with fresh compost Topdress by removing 5cm (2in) old compost from the top
Plant onion and shallot sets this month along with early potatoes
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“Dividing perennials regularly will ensure healthy, vigorous plants” of the pot and replacing with fresh compost. 6. Mow the lawn on dry days (if needed) If it's the first cut of the year keep the blades high to avoid damaging new shoots. The grass will still look much tidier. 7. Cut back Cornus (dogwood) and Salix (willow) grown for
colourful winter stems Cut back to 60-90cm (2-3ft) from the ground for pollards or 5-7.5cm (2-3in) for coppiced (sometimes called stooled) specimens. See the RHS website for more detailed advice. 8. Hoe and mulch weeds to keep them under control early Run a hoe over a bed or between rows to kill most seedlings. For maximum effectiveness, choose a dry day with a light wind, so seedlings will dry out on the surface of the bed rather than re-rooting into moist soil. 9. Maintaining your pond Start feeding fish and using the pond fountain; remove pond heaters. Leave wildlife ponds as undisturbed as possible - wildlife ponds are better attended to in late autumn. 10. Protect new spring shoots from slugs. Cover/protect new shoots in the garden where you can't grow plants in a slug free environmennt like a cold frame/greenhouse. Also try o encourage slug predators like hedgehogs, birds, frogs, toads and beetles into your garden.
