January
Add organic matter to light sand and clay soils
Clear leaves and burn or dispose of garden waste
Protect frost prone shrubs and plants with fleece
February
Sow sweet pea and aquilegia seeds in a cold frame or unheated green house
Take pelargonium, fuchsia and perpetual carnation cuttings in the greenhouse
March
Sow hardy annuals under cover
Ensure roses are firmed in properly if they have been rocked by wind in winter
Apply organic matter to rose beds
Plant and divide herbaceous perennials
Tie in untidy climbers and stake herbaceous plants
April
Plant out sweet peas and pansies
Sow both perennial and biennial plant seed in a nursery bed
Sow coriander seed in pots
Lift bulbs as the leaves die back
Watch out for greenfly and spray if necessary
May
Dig up tulips where they have faded
Continue staking garden plants
Plant out hardy bedding plants
June
Prune early flowering shrubs such as choisya, weigela, deutzia and lilacs
Water plants regularly in dry weather, especially containers
Keep on top of weeding
Pinch out the tops of sweet peas to keep them bushy
Get rid of broad-leaved lawn weeds
Take softwood cuttings of shrubs and perennials |
July
Stay alert for pests and diseases
Mow lawns and trim hedges
Divide irises
Take cuttings of arabis, catmint and dianthus
Sow hollyhocks outdoors
August
Prune rambler roses once flowers have faded
Plant bulbs such as autumn crocus, cyclamen and colchicums
Keep on top of rust, blackspot etc and spray if needed
Tie in climbers regularly
Take cuttings of berberis, ceanothus and lavender
September
Plant crocus and daffodils
Take cuttings of geraniums, phlox and violas
Continue to plant autumn and winter flowering bulbs
Fruit and kitchen garden tasks
Patch scruffy lawns or lay new turf
Begin taking semi-ripe cuttings of evergreen shrubs, climbers and trees
October
Clean up fallen leaves to help prevent pests and diseases
Make your own leaf mould with them
Divide herbaceous perennials such as campanula, geums helenium, and phlox
Dig up and store begonias
November
Plant bare root roses
Order up tulips for planting in November to December
Divide large clumps of hardy ferns
Plant hyacinths indoors
December
Cut down tatty flower stems
Take hardwood cuttings buddleia, cornus, deutzia, forsythia, roses and viburnum
Continue cleaning up dead leaves and garden debris
Leave food out for the birds
Have a large glass of wine, enjoy the festive fun and make a plan of attack for next year
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