Garden diary

Spring
March
> Scatter fertiliser around roses and prune
> Plant shallots and onion sets
> Sow early seed potatoes
> Pot up dahlia and begonia tubers and start
   growth in warm glasshouse.
> protect new shoots from slugs.
April
> Prune early flowering shrubs immediately after
   flowering.
> Plant out sweet peas.
> Re-seed bare patches in lawn.
> Top-dress Camellias.
> Sow hardy annuals in flowering position.
May
> Plant pots and baskets for summer colour.
> Remove spring bedding and prepare beds
   for summer bedding.
> Continue to sow vegetable seeds.
> Plant maincrop potatoes.
> Combined fertiliser and weedkiller can be
   applied to lawns.
Summer
June
> Summer pots and baskets can be put outside.
> Prune shrubs that have flowered in spring.
> Dead head flowers to prolong flowering period.
> Spray roses for pests and diseases.
> Stake tall growing perennials.
July,
> Feed and water summer bedding, pots and
    baskets regularly.
> Lift spring bulbs.
> Train in young shoots of climbing plants.
>Use fruit cage net to protect fruit from birds.
August
> Prune rambling roses after flowers have faded.
> Hoe between vegetable rows to keep weeds down.
> Plant autumn flowering crocus.
> Apply a selective weedkiller to lawns.
Autumn
September
> Plant prepared Hyacinth bulbs for Christmas.
> Plant spring bulbs in flowering position.
> Divide Iris rhizomes and replant.
> Establish a new lawn by seed or turf.
> Move pots of tender plants indoors.
October
> Plant Tulip bulbs.
> Remove frosted annuals from beds and borders.
> Take hardwood cuttings.
> Cut down withered perennials.
> Plant out wallflowers.
November
> Plant bare-root roses.
> Plant bare-root hedging.
> Divide and replant overcrowded perennials.
> Keep lawns clear of fallen leaves.
> Scarify lawns.
Winter
December
> Cover tender perennials with bracken or straw.
> Plant new rose bushes and prune back and tidy
    established rose bushes.
> Plant new hedging plants.
> Dig well-rotted manure into vegetable patch.
> Feed the wild birds.
January,
> Prune apple trees.
> Apply winter wash to roses and fruit trees.
> Check tree stakes and tree ties in windy weather.
> Plant some trees and shrubs which give
   winter colour.
> Feed the wild birds.
February
> Divide snowdrops once flowers have faded.
> Mulch rhubarb crowns with well-rotted manure.
> Buy seed potatoes and get ready for chitting.
> Spike lawns to improve drainage.
> Feed the wild birds.

FROM TOP:
Acer palmatum 'Dissectum'; Lilium 'Lollipop'; Impatiens; Osteospermum.