Job of the week

Divide irises

Were your irises lacklustre this year with precious few blooms? If so, give them a boost by lifting and dividing clumps and next year they'll flower their socks off.
Takes just 30 minutes

Flowers

  • Lift, divide and replant congested flag irises after flowering
  • Deadhead border perennials
  • Pick dead flowers off rhododendrons

Fruit & veg

  • Sow cabbages to pick as spring greens
  • Thin heavy crops of apples, pears and plums
  • Tie in new raspberry canes to support wires

Greenhouse

  • Pinch out tomato sideshoots developing from the stem
  • Fit automatic vent openers to help control air flow
  • Tie in tomato shoots to their supports, and water daily

Around the garden

  • Keep lawn edges trimmed
  • Look out for cabbage white butterfly eggs
  • Remove blanket weed from ponds