Keeping on top of the garden during the cold and bleak weather does have its advantages: you can take some time to plan any seeds you may wish to sow, get a head start on improving your soil for this year’s plants, and give the garden a good tidy – the shed or greenhouse is often a great place to start!

Planning your choice of seeds is always fun. It’s worth heading to your local garden centre sooner rather than later to get the best choice of varieties. Take a look online or download a garden planner app to help determine what to sow and when, for best results. Delphiniums, Dahlias and Sweet Peas can all be down indoors now. Make sure you select a good quality peat-free compost – John Innes is always a great choice.

You can’t place enough importance on improving your soil quality. Different types of soil require different approaches: clay soil, for example, requires bulky organic matter to aid drainage. This should be dug in and turned over, but make sure you do it on a dry day otherwise you will be battling with a sticky, heavy mess! Chalky soil, which can often be full of stones, also requires organic matter to increase the soil depth, help water retention and improve the nutrient content. If you have sandy soil, dig in plenty of organic matter as already mentioned. To get the soil ready for early sowings, cover it with clear plastic sheeting or garden fleece a few weeks before and only remove it just before you sow. This will ensure the soil is warm and dry.

Once this is done, head to the shed and have a good spring clean. You’ll be amazed how much space you can create by stacking pots neatly and throwing away any old rubbish or broken bits. Make sure your tools are cleaned, oiled and sharpened – you’ll notice a big different in how they perform! Wash old flower pots, trays, and even plant labels if you have them, instead of buying more. If you are lucky enough to have a greenhouse, tackle this in stages. Clean the main structure with a good disinfectant, and then move on to the windows, cleaning inside and out, and taking care to remove any dirt between the panes of glass. If you have water butts (or even if you don’t) it’s good practice to sweep out your gutters of moss and leaves. This helps to keep water butts clear of garden waste.

If you have fruit trees, now is a great time to prune apple and pear trees. Roses and Wisteria are also in need of cutting back at this time of year to encourage and promote new growth for the coming year. And finally, take some time to care for your houseplants. With cool temperatures and shorter daylight hours, plants will benefit from being near windows for the natural light, but make sure they are not in direct contact with frosty windowpanes or cold drafts. Rotate your pots weekly to promote even growth. Take a damp cloth and wipe down the leaves to maximise their light absorbency, and spray with a leaf mist. A drop of good quality fertiliser in your watering can will give them a boost – make sure not to over water, but don’t let the soil dry out either.
Happy gardening!