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Dig over empty borders and pile manure on top for the worms to pull undergroundLift and divide congested clumps of rhubarbCut down asparagus ferns and the tops of Jerusalem artichokesUse cloches to protect winter peas, beans and saladsLift and pot

Make a composting trench to enrich soil where beans will grow next springMake compost from spent cropsDig over vacant areasLift and divide congested clumps of rhubarbCut down asparagus fronds and the tops of Jerusalem artichokesBuy in rotted

unwanted suckers growing around the base of trees and shrubsLift large waterlilies from ponds, divide and replant themClean pond pumps and filters, and make sure they are working properlyHand weed alpine and rock gardens

Prune gooseberry bushesFork over vacant beds, mixing in compost or well-rotted manurePlant fruit trees trained as cordons, fans or espaliers to make use of limited spaceTie in raspberry and blackberry canes to support wiresLift and divide congested

hardy annuals in late March and into April, digging over, weeding and enriching the soilLift and divide congested border plantsPlant out lilies to fill gaps in borders, or grow them on in pots Trim winter-flowering heathers

, to promote new growthLift and divide large clumps of hostaTrim winter-flowering jasmine and tie in new shoots to supportsSprinkle granular fertiliser around clumps of spring bulbsFinish pruning roses as soon as possibleCut down all previous year's growth

to it for supportCut down pulmonarias and doronicum, then drench the soil around them with a liquid feedLift and divide clumps of primulasCut back the foliage of daffodils to clear beds for summer plantingTrim leaves and faded flowers from oriental poppies

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

to summerCover broad beans and peas with cloches for winter protectionLift and divide large clumps of rhubarbCut down Jerusalem artichokes then dig up and store tubers in buckets of dry compostPrune sideshoots on gooseberries back to about 5cmPile earth up

of leaf spot diseasePrune wall climbers away from window frames and guttersLift and divide congested snowdrops when in leaf, also known as 'in the green'Prepare plant supports ready to pop into position to support tall or floppy perennials