This week...

Rake up any dead leaves

:: Complete the pruning of greenhouse vines while they are still dormant and remove loose bark which may harbour pests.

:: Continue to bring in pots of forced bulbs for indoor flowering when ready.

:: Protect winter-flowering bulbous irises in the garden from severe cold or damp.

:: Start forcing pots of lily bulbs for Easter and early summer flowering.

:: Feed perennial veg such as asparagus, artichoke and rhubarb with a dressing of general fertiliser.

:: Where privet hedges have got out of hand, cut them back to encourage new strong basal growth.

:: Continue to buy seed potatoes for 'chitting', so they are ready for planting in late March and April.

:: Sow lupins now for flower in summer.

:: Sow early varieties of salad onions in a glasshouse border.

:: Take basal cuttings from perennials including campanula, kniphofia, lupins, delphiniums and phlox.

:: Have your lawnmower serviced before the grass starts growing in spring.

:: Rake out dead leaves and other debris that has fallen into the pond to stop it going stagnant.

:: Plant garlic.

:: Warm the soil with cloches or clear plastic sheeting to prepare it for early sowings.