Cut grass in winter, but do it slo-mow

Should I cut my lawn during the winter? – Neil, Winchester, Hants DAVID: You can give it a topping if you like (a light, high cut). It should be on a day when the soil is firm.

Don’t mow a frosty lawn, or if frost or a freeze is due within 24 hours afterwards.

It’s best if the grass is dry, but in winter that’s rare. Drag a hose across to “squeegee” it, so it dries quicker. Mow slowly and gently, especially on turns, to avoid damage.

It might not feel like it this week, but spring really is just around the corner and pretty soon your garden will be bursting into life and colour as it wakes from its winter dormancy.

So this is a great time for us to slip our coats on, step outside and take stock of our borders.

Many of them will need a good makeover before the growing season begins, and if we shape them up now they’ll look marvellous when the new blossoms break through.

First, grab your gardening gloves and a bucket, get down in your borders and have a good clear out.

We want weeds, stones and dead plants gone. This will give you a nice, clean base soil to work with.

Next job is to get your secateurs out and give the whole border a haircut.

This isn’t boot camp – we’re not pruning as such, just trimming. The goal is to shape up and tidy up.

Remove any damaged or diseased growth while you’re in there, and trim back things that are overgrown and looking untidy.

If you find any diseased plants, either remove the affected parts or dig up the whole plant if needed and burn

You can figure out all your plants now, or find one every month