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I couldn't be happier. The sun is shining and it almost feels as if spring is here.  Just last week there was standing water in the bottom few feet of one of my plots; the soil was completely submerged and saturated. Conditions were so wet

horticultural fleece handy to protect the plants with.AdamBefore the first frosts in autumn, repot all of the plants and bring them inside for winter.You can grow the eucomis from bulbs planted in spring.More advice on growing exotic plantsDealing with canna

I've always been a great fan of bulbs, in all their shapes and sizes. I couldn't get through the winter without snowdrops, and the prospect of daffodils, heralding spring. But right now, in (a rather cold and wet) May, alliums are centre stage

the plantsFork over bare patches ready for planting spring bulbsLift tubers of dahlias, gladioli, and begonias, clean them off and store them in dry compost in a cool, frost-proof placeSow sweet peas in pots and protect the plants in a frame over winter

'.  Plant in November too.November: Plant autumn hard necks: 'Purple Moldovan', 'Chesnok'.December: 'Lautrec' can be planted now.January: Plant spring types: 'Solent Wight', 'Tuscan Wight', 'Picardy Wight'.February: Continue planting spring types. When bulb

Forcing narcissiEnjoy an early scent of spring by forcing narcissi. The bulbs are in the shops from late-August and if planted immediately you can have them in flower by Christmas.Remove suckers from roses, shrubs and treesTrim box hedging

Plant hyacinths in a potThe sweet smell of hyacinths is one that lifts the spirit as a sure sign that winter has finally come to an end. Hyacinth bulbs are widely available in a broad spectrum of colours. Whatever their shade, they look spectacular

Divide and replant snowdrop bulbsSnowdrops look stunning in carpets around the base of shrubs and in borders and are a welcome sign that spring is on its way. If you want to spread them around your garden then now's the time to lift and divide

January, some of the raspberry canes were already in growth and the aphid population in the greenhouse was thriving. But the bulbs seemed further behind than usual. One solitary snowdrop was in bloom, with no sign of its companions, and the daffodils

removing the wild plants, perhaps the gardeners could have planted the tulips among them. Rather than tulips, spring bulbs such as crocus, snake's head fritillary and snowdrops, could have been planted to provide a much-needed early source of nectar