Search - Articles

Buy tulips now while they're fresh in garden centres, but hold off planting till next month Plant daffodils, hyacinths and crocus in potsLift and pot up tender perennials to protect over winterClear away faded summer bedding and annuals, composting

Keep baskets and patio pots wateredSpray roses to protect them from pests and diseasesCut the foliage of daffodils and tulips down to the groundTrim box topiary and formal edging to keep it neat and tidyTake cuttings of non-flowering new shoots from

Pick bulbils from lily stems and pot them up to raise new plantsGive shrubs and perennial plants a liquid feedCut down delphiniums once flower spikes fadeTake cuttings from non-flowering shoots on hydrangeasPick sweet peas regularly and remove any

Deadhead pelargoniums and other summer bedding plantsSummer prune wisteria, cutting back whippy sideshoots to about 20cmWater plants in pots and basketsTake cuttings from shrubs choosing non-flowering shootsCollect seed from flowers that you want

Plant out spring bedding, including pansies, wallflowers and forget-me-notsPot up tender perennials from summer displays to bring under cover for winter protectionPrune rambling and climbing rosesRake autumn leaves from lawns and pick out from

Sprinkle granular fertiliser round roses, shrubs and along the base of hedgesSow sweet peas into deep potsTransplant evergreen shrubs and conifers to new sitesPlace grow-through plant supports over tall-growing perennials, like delphiniums

Prune back shoots on mophead and lacecap hydrangeas to a pair of budsTrim all foliage from barrenwort (Epimedium) before flowers start to developPlant lilies in potsPrune mahonia, removing old stems to make room for new growthLift and divide

setting seed, and to keep plants looking tidyWater hanging baskets and pots of summer-flowering bedding plants. Never let compost completely dry out or it can be very difficult to re-wet

Plant daffodil bulbs in pots and borders Check roses for suckers and cut off any you find, just below groundTrim conifer hedges to neaten their appearance and control heightEmpty pots of faded early summer bedding, adding old plants to the compost

Plant lily bulbs in pots for colourful summer displaysPrune shrub roses to low new shootsCut back overgrown honeysuckle stems close to their base, just above new shootsTrim back old shoots of perennials left for winter interest, taking care