• Prune established roses.
• Sow hardy annuals outdoors and half-hardy annuals in a heated propagator in the greenhouse or on a windowsill indoors.
• Tidy and weed borders, mulch with compost or manure.
• Lift and divide herbaceous perennials (but avoid doing this during frost).

Mid

• Start mowing the lawn regularly and apply lawn weed and feed (raking out any dead moss after a few weeks).
• Plant new roses, trees, shrubs and perennials.
• Plant summer-flowering bulbs.
• Feed specimen trees, roses, shrubs and hedging and established beds and borders with a general-purpose organic fertilizer.
• Prick out half-hardy annual seedlings or pot them up as necessary.
• Cut back lavender to shape, but avoid cutting into the old wood.

Late

• Prune spring-flowering shrubs after flowering.
• Clip box hedges (avoiding full sun which can scorch the newly exposed foliage).
• Plant out half-hardy annuals in containers and outdoor beds.
• Plant out dahlias, bring out houseplants and plant any shrubs that are sensitive to the weather.
• Take cuttings from new growth of shrubs and perennials to increase the quantity of plants in the garden.
• Plant hanging baskets to add more colour.
• Provide support for border perennials such as lupins, peonies, asters, penstemons and helianthus.