10 small jobs to do right now – even if they're a bit late

Now's the perfect time do a few small jobs that can make a big difference to your garden. Get these tasks done in early spring before the growing season gets under way. These jobs tend to get forgotten about but many of them will only take no more than half an hour to complete, whether it's dividing your snowdrops to get more plants for free, or planting summer-flowering bulbs.

Cut back late-flowering clematis

The best time to cut down late-flowering clematis is late February, but it's not too late to sort it out before you're left with a mass of tangled old stems and new growth. Cut back to around 30cm from the ground now, just above a pair of buds. Don't panic if you can already see new growth emerging on the old stems. After you've cut your clematis down, it will soon produce new growth and cover your fence or wall as normal.

Plant summer-flowering bulbs

There's so much to do in spring it can be easy to forget to look ahead to next season and plant summer-flowering bulbs. Now's the time to plant lilies, gladioli, crocosmia and daylilies, either in containers or in the border.

Lift and divide snowdrops

Lift and divide snowdrops after flowering in March or April, before the leaves die back. This job is well worth doing if you have established clumps – it will rejuvenate the plants and create more plants for free. Lift the bulbs, keeping the roots and foliage. Pull the clump apart using your hands, then replant each clump in its new location. Plant at the same level it was before and firm in. Water well. The foliage will down naturally.

Rake up leaves

Rake up any leaves left on the lawn and and paths. Fallen leaves can smother grass and cause dry patches and the build up of moss. You can use the collected leaves to make leafmould. Don't worry about removing leaves from beneath hedges and borders, as they provide shelter for insects and will rot down and improve the soil over time.

Check for slugs and snails

Spring is a good time to check vulnerable plants for slugs and snails. Keep populations under control near young plants or seedlings, or susceptible plants such as hostas and lupins, by moving slugs and snails to a different part of the garden, such as the compost heap. Alternatively, if you find you have a lot of slugs or snails, put in some protection, such as copper based barriers, around the plants they are most likely to eat.

Clean your greenhouse

Clean your greenhouse in time for the new growing season. It's easy to forget about this job, but it will make a big difference to any plants you put in there this spring. Clean the glass inside and out to maximise light levels. While you're at it, remove any leaves and debris stuck in the gutters.

Hose down paths

After winter there can be a build up of dirt and algae on paths, which can make them slippery and unattractive. You can use a pressure hose to clean them, but it's also easy to get the dirt off using soapy water. Sweep up any debris and then use a stiff bristled brush to scrub off any algae and dirt.

Clear debris from ponds

Leaves may have fallen into your pond over winter. Use a net to remove any dead leaves, branches and other detritus out of the pond – if left in the water these will rot and use up oxygen in the pond. Be careful if there are tadpoles in the pond, returning any that become caught in the net to the water.

Feed roses

Roses are hungry plants and need feeding twice a year. The first time to feed is in March to April, so now's the time to do it if you haven't got round to it. Sprinkle general purpose or rose fertiliser on the ground around the rose, following the instructions on the packet. Water and lay a mulch of well-rotted manure after feeding. Don't let the mulch touch the base of the rose stem.

Weed paths

Get on top of weeding before it becomes overwhelming. Weeding little and often is a good way to keep on top of problem weeds. Use a patio weeder to get in between the stones on patios and along paths.