This month there are signs of the approaching spring,
with bulbs appearing and wildlife waking up as light levels and temperatures increase.There's plenty to do indoors this month to prepare for the season ahead.Outdoors, as the garden comes to life again, it's time to prune shrubs and climbers, such as Wisteria as well as evergreen hedges.

1. Now is the time to move deciduous trees or shrubs, once the soil is not frozen or waterlogged
2. Feed trees, shrubs and hedges with ground Seaweed which slow-release fertiliser by lightly forking it into the top of the soil surface
3. Plant summer-flowering bulbs, dahlia , lilies , Gladiolus, Lilies into beds, borders and containers
4. Now is an ideal time to plant herbaceous perennials also you can lift and divide any established perennial plants so as to improve their vigour.
5. Plant bare root roses and feed roses with a special rose feed or a balanced fertiliser as they come into growth. Water with Sulphur Rose to prevent Mildew and Blackspot. Prune established roses to encourage strong new growth
6. Sow flower seeds now so they are ready for planting out in May - June. Hardy annuals can be sown directly into the soil as soon as it warms up. To give you a head start sow them in pots or module trays for planting out later in the spring. An electric propagator will help seed germination in cold weather .
7. Continue to plant Begonia tubers in pots for planting out after frost. Plant each tuber in a 3 ins pot to start.
8. Cut back any foliage on perennials and grasses that you may have left standing to start then into new growth.
9. After winter flowers heather have finished flowering, trim to prevent the plants becoming leggy. Do the same with winter flowering Hellebores
10. Deadhead spring daffodils as the flowers finish but remember to let the foliage die back naturally so as to build the bulb for next year
11. Cutback Hydrangeas to about one third of last season's growth.
12. As soon as the weather warms apply to first application of Nemaslug to keep slug under control. But remember wait till soil temp is about 10c for effective control
13. Dig in a top layer of compost or well-rotted manure into your garden to prepare for the year ahead. You can also work in a general organic fertilizer such as seaweed.

1. Sow early Broad beans and early peas in pots or tray for planting out later Also vegetable seeds such as carrots, radishes and lettuce in tray in the greenhouse or under cloches for planting put later.
2. Sow vegetable seeds such as carrots, radishes and lettuce in tray in the greenhouse or under cloches for planting put later.
3. Sow tomato and pepper seeds in a heated greenhouse for early season crops.
4. Get ready for the season ahead by removing all weeds form your beds and forking in plenty of compost. Covering with sheets of black plastic will stop weeds form germinating and also warm up the soil.
5. Now is the time to dig in green manures if you plant in the autumn/winter . It also still time to do an early spring sowing.
6. Continue chitting (sprouting) first early seed potatoes and sow second early direct in to the soil later in the month.
7. Apple trees, Pears , Hazelnuts and other fruit trees can all be planed now in a sunny, sheltered spot
8. Continue to plant raspberry canes and strawberry plants
9. Cut autumn-fruiting raspberry canes to the ground to stimulate the growth of new canes, to fruit in the autumn.
10. Feed your blueberry plants with ericaceous plant fertiliser
11. Cover the blossoms of apricots, peaches and nectarines from frost with horticultural fleece to protect from frost which can run a crop overnight.
12. If your lawn needs mowing choose a dry day and ensure the blades are set higher than usual for the first few cuts.
13. As the soil warms up prepare the soil for a sowing lawn seed from the end of the month.
14. Check containers to ensure the soil is not drying out, remember the wind will dry soil quicker the than sun at this time of year. Top-dress your pots and containers by removing the top 3 cm of soil and replacing it with fresh compost