Start planting
As soon as buds start to break, newly sprung foliage will put stress upon roots that haven’t yet made proper contact with the soil, so I aim to get all bare roots in their final positions by the end of the month. With growth low but burgeoning, it is the perfect time to divide perennials. Lift carefully with a fork and split the clump with two forks set back to back and levered to prize the clumps apart. Discard the old growth in the centre of the clump and reuse the vigorous divisions from the perimeter. If you are replanting in the same position, take the opportunity to improve the soil with compost and a handful of blood, fish and bone spread.
Begin sowing
Sow under cover if you are starting half-hardy annuals and vegetables inside. Soil needs to be 6C before sowing outside, but the first salads can be sown under cloches in mild spells to kickstart the season.
Clear up and mulch
I like to leave structural perennials until the end of the winter for cover, but it is now time to take action. Work carefully around bulbs that are coming through or just about to show, and cut the old growth close to the base. A mulch applied to cleared soil will help protect the ground, but make sure you have weeded thoroughly as a mulch will also benefit any weeds still lurking. A 3in-4in layer of well-rotted manure, bark chips or leafmould will help keep the soil moist and weed seeds cocooned in darkness. Your own compost is best dug in to improve new ground, as it may be full of weed seed.
Pruning roses
Repeat-flowering roses are kept in best condition by removing dead, diseased and crossing growth back to strong clean shoots from last year. I aim to replace a third or half of the growth every year and reduce the plant by about half the height. Once-flowering shrub roses should not be pruned as radically as they flower on the last year’s wood. Remove the weak and unhealthy growth by taking it as close to the base as possible. All roses like a good feed: try a slow-release organic fertiliser spread evenly and topped by a ring of mulch.
Potatoes and onions
Potato sets that have already been chitted should be ready for planting at the end of the month. Onion sets can go into the ground this month in the mild spells, but net them until they come into growth, to prevent the birds pulling them out of curiosity.
Forcing rhubarb
I met a French nurseryman last year who had 150 varieties of rhubarb – the mind boggles. If I could choose one, it would be ‘Timperley Early’ for fine, early spears. Put forcers over the crowns as soon as you see them coming to life. Pull until you feel you have taken your fair share.
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