What to Do in the Garden,
Month by Month

Plant bare-root roses and hedging

Dormant plants establish best through the winter.

Protect tender plants

Wrap or fleece anything borderline before hard frosts.

Clear the last of the leaves

Finish the big leaf clear-up before the worst weather.

Prune apples and pears

Once the leaves fall, the tree shape is easy to see.

Clean the greenhouse

A clean, dry space keeps overwintering plants healthy.

Protect against hard frosts

Fleece pots and wrap the stems of tender shrubs.

Keep paths and steps safe

Clear leaves and moss so surfaces do not turn slippery.

Plan next year's garden

Use the quiet weeks to map out beds and planting.

Avoid walking on frozen lawns

Foot traffic on frosted grass damages the turf.

Keep feeding the birds

Cold weather makes food and water scarce for wildlife.

Protect tender plants from frost

A hard frost can kill borderline plants. Cover with fleece or move pots against a warm wall.

Prune apple and pear trees

Prune while dormant to keep trees healthy and encourage a better crop.

Clear fallen leaves from lawns

Wet leaves smother grass and invite disease. Rake and compost them.

Plan beds and order seeds

Get the plan and seed orders in now, so you are ready when the soil warms.

Feed the birds

Natural food is scarce in cold weather — keep feeders topped up.

Prune wisteria and late shrubs

Cut back last year's growth to two or three buds to encourage flowers.

Plant snowdrops "in the green"

Plant just after flowering — they settle in far better than dry bulbs.

Cut back ornamental grasses

Clear last year's growth before new shoots push through.

Chit seed potatoes

Sit tubers in a light, cool spot so shoots form before planting out.

Service the mower

Sharpen the blade and check the machine before the season starts.

Start mowing lightly

First cuts of the year — set the blades high and go slow.

Feed lawns and borders

A spring feed greens up the grass and kick-starts the borders.

Plant bare-root shrubs

Get shrubs and roses in while they are still dormant.

Weed early

Catch annual weeds now, before they set seed.

Sow hardy vegetables

Beetroot, carrots and broad beans can go straight in.

Move to regular mowing

Grass is growing fast — mow weekly and gradually lower the height.

Plant summer bulbs

Dahlias, lilies and gladioli can go in now the frost risk is easing.

Scarify and aerate lawns

Remove thatch and open the soil so water and air reach the roots.

Deadhead spring bulbs

Remove spent flowers but leave the leaves to feed the bulb.

Watch for late frosts

Keep fleece handy for cold snaps after warm spells.

Plant out summer bedding

Frosts are usually past — fill pots and borders with bedding plants.

Deadhead spring flowers

Removing faded blooms keeps displays flowering for longer.

Mow weekly

Cut little and often through the main growing season.

Water new plantings

Keep newly planted trees, shrubs and pots well watered.

Trim hedges (check for nests)

A light trim now, but check for nesting birds first.

Deadhead roses and perennials

Snip faded flowers to push a second flush of blooms.

Feed containers

Container plants run out of food fast — feed every week or two.

Water deeply in dry spells

Deep, less frequent watering beats a daily sprinkle.

Raise the mower height

In hot spells, cut higher to keep the lawn green.

Cut lavender after flowering

Trim lightly to keep plants compact and healthy.

Water in the early morning

Water before the heat so less is lost to evaporation.

Keep deadheading

Regular deadheading keeps borders flowering into autumn.

Summer-prune wisteria

Cut back the whippy growth to five or six leaves.

Trim fast-growing hedges

Keep hedges neat through their main flush of growth.

Feed tomatoes and veg

A weekly feed keeps productive plants fruiting.

Plant autumn-flowering bulbs

Colchicums and autumn crocus go in now for late colour.

Deadhead and tidy borders

Cut back spent growth to keep the garden looking sharp.

Give hedges a final trim

A tidy end-of-summer shape sets hedges up for autumn.

Keep containers watered

Pots dry out fast in late summer — check them daily.

Mow little and often

Keep the lawn tidy through the late-summer surge.

Plant spring-flowering bulbs

Daffodils, tulips and crocuses go in now for spring colour.

Scarify and overseed lawns

Repair summer wear and thin patches while the soil is still warm.

Move tender plants under cover

Bring tender plants into the greenhouse before the first frost.

Start leaf collection

Rake leaves little and often so they do not smother the lawn.

Divide perennials

Lift and split crowded clumps to rejuvenate them.