Most people don’t realise it but February can often be the coldest month of the year (and this year at least, pretty wet too!). But with the imminent coming of spring there are plenty of jobs to do.

There are signs all-around of the approaching spring, bulbs appearing, birds and wildlife waking up as the light and temperature begins to increase. Outdoors, the garden is coming to life again, and it’s time to prune shrubs.

Flowers

• Sow sweet peas in pots, and pinch out shoot tips
• Cut old stems of mallow (Lavatera) to ground level this can extend the life of these fast growing plants and improve the floral display.
• Prune back any winter-flowering shrubs that have finished flowering.
• Place potted-up dahlia tubers in a heated propagator prior to hardening and planting out.
• Divide bulbs such as snowdrops, and plant those that need planting 'in the green'
• Prune Wisteria to keep growth and size under control and improve flowering.

Fruit & Veg

• Prepare your vegetable seed beds, and even sow some early vegetables under cover or cloches.
• Cover rhubarb with an old bucket to exclude light and “force” the plant for early sweet rhubarb.
• Prune gooseberry bushes to open up the centre.
• Chit seed potatoes in trays in a bright, frost-free position ready for planting.

Around the Garden

• Plant hedging plants, prune hardy evergreen hedges and renovate overgrown deciduous hedges.
• Plant colourful Phormium in patio pots.
• Take care not to walk over borders or on lawns and save damaging the grass while cold wet conditions last.
• Prune conservatory climbers prior to the coming growing season.
• Cut back those deciduous grasses left uncut over the winter.
• Use a pressure washer to clean paths, steps, decking, paving and patios. It's also a good time to clean out ponds and water features.
• Order young plants from mail-order companies or plant up pot grown plants from the nursery. Now is also a good time to investigate seeds.