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Wash glazing inside and out to let in as much light as possibleBring potted camellias into unheated porches or conservatories to enjoy early displaysBuy chrysanthemum cuttings or take cuttings from your own plantsSow seed of hardy annuals

to encourage early fruitingStart sowing seed of summer bedding and crops that need a long growing season to mature, such as pelargonium, petunia, verbena, salvia, lobelia and begonia

Knock heavy snow off shrubs and conifers to prevent its weight damaging branchesPlace rabbit guards around trees to protect barkFirm down plants lifted by frost or wind rockCover areas needed for early seed sowing with polythene or cloches to warm

Save seedsPerennial plants are often very generous in the amount of seed which they produce. Plants such as verbascum can produce thousands of seeds each year, and you can sow them to grow more plants for your garden or share them with friends

to early summer for best results. Remove winter grime from patios with a pressure washerSow new lawnsSnip plain green shoots off variegated shrubsAround the gardenPlant out perennials in groups of three, five or seven Sprinkle fertiliser around clumps

- and nothing could be fresher.Cut out any plain green shoots on variegated shrubs and treesTreat moss and weeds in lawns with weed killerHoe bare areas of soil to prevent weedsAround the gardenPlant gladioli in groups to depth of 10-15cmComplete outside sowings

with gritty loam-based compost and sow the seeds evenly across the surface.Sprinkle a layer of compost over the seeds, water, then stand the pot in a cold frame or sheltered place in the garden. Keep it watered and protect it from birds.AdamMake sure berries

Deadhead border plants, unless you want to collect their seedsSpray gladioli to prevent thrips damage to leaves and flowersPick herbs and everlasting flowers for dryingBuy or build compost bins to help recycle all your kitchen and garden wasteCollect seeds

a green manure crop, such as crimson clover, fenugreek or field lupins, which can be dug into the soil later in the season to improve itSow seeds of the following crops outside or under cloches: carrots, beetroot, broad beans, salad onions

competitionFeed cabbages and other brassicas with pelleted chicken manure or another nitrogen-rich fertiliserSpray new leaves of peaches and nectarines with copper fungicide to prevent peach leaf curl Sow seeds of the following crops outside or under cloches