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Sow cyclamen and schizanthus for indoor flowersBuy scented-leaf pelargoniums, such as 'Chocolate Peppermint' and 'Lady Plymouth' Plant pots with heat-treated freesia corms to produce fragrant flowers this summerWatch out for pests, checking under leaves

, chaenomeles, pyracantha and kerriaRegularly water newly planted trees, roses, shrubs and hedging Finish planting out gladioli corms in groups or drifts in bordersSpread shredded bark mulches around established shrubs and trees to conserve soil moisture

in plenty of lightWater dormant pots of cyclamen that were left to die down for the summer, and keep them in cool conditionsPlant freesia corms in potsCheck greenhouse heaters are in working orderBring pots of tender perennials and summer bulbs

and containersPlant wallflowers, pansies, forget-me-nots and other spring beddingLift and divide congested clumps of perennialsLift gladioli and store their corms after the flowers have fadedSow hardy annuals outside for early flowers next summerBuy spring

Plant crocuses, fritillaries and dwarf narcissus in lawns Plant up patio pots for autumn interestLift gladioli, clean the corms and store them in a shed or garagePrune rambling and climbing roses, and shorten long shoots on standard roses

Collect seed from allium seedheads and sow straight away into seed compostPlant evergreen shrubs and conifer hedgesCarefully dig up gladioli corms and overwinter in cool, dry storage conditionsLift and pot up tender perennials to protect over winter

and out before putting up bubble polythene for insulationSow hardy annuals, like calendulas, in pots for early displaysCheck bulbs, corms and tubers in store for signs of rotWater sparingly in winter, taking care not to splash water aroundPick yellowing

heapBuy tulip bulbs as soon as you find them but hold back from planting until late October-NovemberDig up gladioli corms after flowering to store until next springCollect seeds, lay them out to dry, then store them in labelled envelopesPrune rambling

and every year they re-appear, flower their socks off and then disappear amongst the rather untamed grasses, mallows and nettles that make up the bank. Next time anyone moans about the price of bulbs and corms I think I'll have to whisk out this picture

greenfly from shoot tips with soapy waterFeed rhododendrons, azaleas, pieris and camelliasFlowersCover rows of strawberries with cloches Plant early potatoes outside in rowsSpray fruit trees and bushes with fungicide Fruit & vegPlant up bulbs, corms