Let's get back in the garden in time to get ready for spring

WITH spring on the way now is a great time to start venturing back out into the garden.

Pruning

Essential jobs that should be done now include pruning roses and clematis. So clean off your secateurs prune large flowered (HT) and cluster flowered (floribunda) roses but leave shrub roses for now. Feed and mulch your roses at the same time. As to pruning clematis, if your late-flowering varieties have already made a lot of new growth don't cut them back as they will shoot again from buds lower down.

Lawn care

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If you have a lawn the grass will start growing next month so you can give your lawn its first cut of the season – but make sure your cutting blades are set high.

Seed sowing

If you have a greenhouse (or suitable conservatory or sunny window sill) now is the time to sow seeds for summer bedding, you can also sow a few vegetables such as tomatoes. Take a look on the back of seed packets to see what can be sown indoors now.

Herb garden

As for a new project how about adding a herb garden? Herb plants are readily available from garden centres. You need to decide whether your aim is to grow herbs for the kitchen or for their decorative value. Herbs look great in a formal design so put a plan on paper before you buy your plants. Most herbs require an open, sunny site and a light, well-drained soil. If your soil is heavy then add grit or sand to improve drainage.

Water features

By the end of the month you can safely return your pump and filters to your pond. Marginal plants will need to be potted on into larger baskets (use aquatic compost available from St Bridget Nurseries, Sidmouth Road, Clyst St Mary). It can also be a good idea to replace the top inch of soil on established marginal plants. Water can add a new dimension to your garden and even if you don't have a pond you can install a self-contained water feature to your garden to add some movement and the calming sounds of rippling water.

Containers

If your winter containers are now looking a bit tired, replace plants with some herbaceous perennials to give a bit of colour again. Then, in May when summer bedding arrives, you can transplant the perennials to a border and have another change in your pots!