Weekly jobs

●● Check shrubs and climbers in containers in rain-sheltered spots – they may need watering. ●● Cut back buddleias and lavatera drastically. They produce their best show of flowers on wood made from spring onwards so by cutting them you should encourage plenty of new growth. ●● Using sharp secateurs, clip faded flowers on winterflowering heathers in pots and in borders. ●● Continue to deadhead winterflowering pansies and pom-pom daisies when flowers fade. ●● Make sure seedlings growing indoors are getting plenty of natural light or they will become leggy. ●● Sow sweet peas as soon as possible. ●● Keep off the grass if it’s icy or frozen. ●● Continue to dig over the soil of your vegetable garden, forking in plenty of bulky organic matter in preparation for the new season. ●● In mild weather, hoe and pull up weeds, to stop them taking a hold in summer. ●● Repair broken fences and trellises while plants are dormant and fewer leaves are in the way.