All the new seeds and bulbs are in the garden centre now and begonias, antirrhinums, lobelia, alyssum, marigolds, sweet peas, lupins and petunias should be sown under glass as soon as possible. Sow tomatoes, cucumbers, leeks and lettuce in the glasshouse. Plug plants can be used in many cases as an alternative to seed. Buy seed potatoes now and leave in a light frost-free place to sprout ready for spring planting. Keep up with the digging and add farmyard manure, except where rootcrops are to be grown. Prune and spray fruit trees except plums. Spray peach trees with dithane or copper fungicide before mid-February.
It is too early to do the lawns but be sure to get the mower serviced ready for the spring. Provided the ground is not frozen, plant shrubs, roses and perennials, adding a little bonemeal. Prune late-flowering clematis and shrubs such as buddleia. Trim hedges before the birds start to nest. There is already a lot of colour in the garden with aconites,snowdrops and early crocus coming into flower. Witch Hazel (hamamelis), viburnum, mahonia, daphne odora, winter heather, forsythia and lonicera fragrantissima will all be in flower now. Tickets for the Chelsea Flower Show (May 20-24) will soon be sold out so if you wish to visit this wonderful event phone 0870 842 2217. Terry Simmonds