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back flowered shootsFlowersCover soil with cloches to warm it for early sowingsFinish winter pruning fruit trees and soft fruitsCut stems of autumn-fruiting raspberries to soil levelFruit & vegPlant summer bulbsMaintain frost-free conditionsBring pots

Layer bulbs in a potIf you long for a splash of spring colour to bring you out of the winter gloom, you'll want a display that will go on for as long as possible. Plant layers of different varieties of bulbs in one pot and you can create

Grow hippeastrumThe huge trumpet flowers of hippeastrum, often called amaryllis, are sure to brighten up the dark days of winter. You might get one as a Christmas gift, but it's also worth treating yourself to one (or more!) of the massive bulbs

the gardenPlant tulip bulbs in groups to make drifts of spring colourAfter first frosts, lift and store dahlia tubers Plant evergreen shrubs and conifersFlowersPick ripe apples and pearsFinish harvesting marrows, squashes, onions and potatoesSow broad beans

, or even into the border.Treat timber fences, trellis and posts with preservativeInstall water butts to all downpipes on your houseApply moss killer to lawnsAround the gardenSow sunflowers outsideTrim winter-flowering heathersPick off faded flower heads

Winter prune wisteria Vigorous wisteria needs pruning twice a year if it is to flower well. Cut back all the long whippy growth that has been made during the summer and prune again in July to encourage the development of flowering spurs.Tidy up

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

into decorative containers Put up bug boxes to provide places for beneficial insects Around the gardenPlant daffodil bulbs in pots and bordersCheck roses for suckers and cut off any you findTrim conifer hedgesFlowersKeep picking summer-sown saladsPlant garlic

and cane fruitsTake hardwood cuttings from healthy fruit bushesFruit & vegPlant hippeastrum bulbs for spring displays Insulate your greenhouse with bubble polytheneVentilate greenhouses on warm, dry daysGreenhouse20 minutesLearn how to make fat cakes