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!Raise the cutting height of your lawn mowerWash out and top up bird baths regularlyStretch netting over ponds and water features Around the gardenBuy tulips now while they're fresh in garden centresPlant daffodils and crocus in potsLift and pot up tender perennialsFlowers

Plant out dahlias into well-prepared soil that's been enriched with manureCut down pulmonarias to just above soil level after flowering to encourage new foliageClip box hedging and topiary to keep it neatRegularly tie tall stems of delphiniums

or perennialsSpread a thick mulch of bark over the crown of tender plants, such as fuchsias, dahlias and cannasPrune summer-flowering clematis, cutting stems back to emerging buds close to soil level

Clear faded growth of golden hops and annual climbers from pergolas and trellisPlant bare-root roses in well-prepared soilTransplant shrubs and conifers that have outgrown their positionCut down chrysanthemums to soil level after floweringMake leaf

Sow sweet peas in deep pots and pinch out shoot tips once two pairs of leaves have developedCut back old stems of mallow (Lavatera) to ground level, taking care not to harm new shootsPlant hedging plantsPrune down stems of dogwoods, willows, cotinus

Carol Klein demonstrates how to cut back ornamental grasses in spring, with tips on different methods for dealing with evergreen and deciduous species.springMore on grassesOrnamental grasses from the RHS Chelsea Flower ShowPlant profile of feather

Use secateurs to remove suckers growing from the stems of standard rosesTie tall border plants like delphiniums to their supportsFinish planting out dahlias, cannas and summer beddingCut back dead and dying foliage on spring bulbsDeadhead camellias

Lift, divide and replant congested flag irises after floweringDeadhead border perennials like delphiniums and lupins to encourage a second flush of bloomsPick dead flowers off rhododendronsDeadhead roses to encourage more flowersCut back ceanothus

Cut back overgrown honeysucklePick berried winter shrubs, flowers and evergreen leaves for seasonal decorations indoorsPlant bare-rooted hedging, roses, trees and shrubsPick faded flowers and yellowing leaves from pansies and winter bedding

Cut back ornamental miscanthus grass before new shoots start developingTrim back ivy and Virginia creeper from around windows and gutteringClear away dead foliage from perennials, chop it up and add to the compost heapRemove weeds from borders