Winter in the garden
January and February
Acer, Eucalyptus, Plane, Poplar and Lime trees can be pruned. Prune fruit tress and apply a winter wash of tar oil. Spray Peach trees against leaf curl. Check stakes and ties.
Fruit bushes can be pruned and autumn-fruiting raspberries cut to ground level.
Narcissus can be dead-headed but allow leaves to die down. After Snowdrops have flowered, lift, divide and replant. Lightly rake the lawn for remaining leaves, but delay mowing until winter flowers and foliage have died down.
Plant summer-flowering bulbs when soil is warmer and take precautions against frost. Plant bare-rooted deciduous trees and shrubs.
Order supplies for the coming growing season.Plant window boxes and containers for seasonal colour. Appraise the garden for form and structure. Tidy and organise the garden shed.
March
Pollard trees and shrubs for winter colour. Continue pruning fully hardy late-summer flowering shrubs. Protect new shoots from slugs. Top dress newly planted trees and shrubs with organic matter.
Dead head early flowering bulbs. Lift and divide summer flowering perennials. Plant new borders. Start lawn care program. Repot container plants. Cut back ornamental grasses. Prune roses.
