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Force rhubarbThe stalks of rhubarb are a delicious treat when there's little other fruit available. Left to its own devices, rhubarb can usually be pulled in late April and May but, by covering the crowns early in the year, it's possible to force

Follow Carol Klein's video guide to cross-pollinating two daffodil varieties using a pen. springMore advice on growing daffodilsForcing narcissiCreating a daffodil containerLayering bulbs in a potDaffodils blog, by Pippa GreenwoodBrowse a variety

Hidden from view by its terracotta overcoat for the past few months, it's impossible to know exactly how the rhubarb beneath is developing without peeping. Rhubarb forcing  jars are wonderful objects in their own right, and mine takes up residence

Plant onion sets in modular trays of compost, raising plants under cover to plant out laterRepair netting on fruit cagesContinue forcing sea kale and chicoryBuy herbs to plant up in containers that you can position near the housePlant out shallots

Plant Jerusalem artichokesCover rhubarb with forcing jars to encourage long, delicious pale stemsSow seeds of the following crops outside or under cloches: carrots, beetroot, broad beans, salad onions, cauliflower, cabbage, spinach, leeks, lettuce, rocket

Sow green manure crops such as field beans and grazing ryePlant garlic and autumn onion setsCover endive to blanch the leavesDig up and pot up roots of chicory for winter forcingPick apples and pears before the wind blows them downFinish pruning blackberries

up chicory roots to force in the darkPlant new fruit trees, bushes and cane fruitsCollect seeds from garlic and chivesStart pruning apples, pears and figsTake hardwood cuttings from currants and gooseberriesSpread compost or rotted manure onto beds

freezing around parsnipsTake hardwood cuttings from currants and gooseberriesNet cabbages and other brassicas to protect them from pigeon damagePlace forcing jars over crowns of seakaleContinue winter digging, adding spent mushroom compost to improve

Follow weather forecasts closely to ensure you're setting greenhouse heating accuratelyPrune both indoor and outdoor vinesDig up rhubarb, pot up, and place in total darkness under a giant bin to force an early cropThoroughly clean glazing inside

farmyard manure or other composted green wasteUse cloches to protect winter peas, beans and saladsLift and pot up chicory roots to force chiconsPlant new fruit trees, bushes and cane fruitsBring potted bay trees under cover if conditions turn very cold