In The Flower Garden

• Sow sweet peas in deep pots and pinch out once two pairs of leaves have developed
• Cut back old stems of mallow (Lavatera) to ground level. Take care not to harm roots
• Plant hedging plants
• Prune stems of dogwoods, willows, cotinus and paulownias
• Fork and rake over area for hardy annual bedding

The Fruit and Veg Garden

• Cover rhubarb with a forcing jar or an old bucket to exclude light and encourage early shoots for early pickings of rhubarb
• Prune gooseberry bushes to open up the centre of the bush to improve air circulation
• Chit seed potatoes in trays in bright frost free place
• Plant bare root fruit trees before they begin to shoot. When the arrive soak the roots and heel in some soil until you are ready to plant.
• Sow seeds of broad beans, carrots, hardy peas and parsnips outside in soil warmed by cloches

Greenhouse

• Plant dahlia tubers in pots or trays and place in a heated propagator if you want to take cuttings
• Star raising crops from seed, including tomatoes, chilli peppers, aubergines and cucumbers
• Water with a copper fungicide solution to prevent damping off of seedlings
• Sow seeds of cyclamen keeping in total darkness until seeds have germinated

Generally Around The Garden

• Take care not to walk over emerging spring bulbs in the border or in the lawn
• Order young plants from mail order companies
• Sort out and clean up canes and support ready for use in the spring
• Use a pressure washer to clean paths