7 IN THE GARDEN

WHAT TO DO OUTDOORS

• Sow seeds (indoors as well as outdoors), checking instructions for individual types. If sowing outdoors, prepare the soil carefully first, removing all weeds from the area and raking it level.

• Use cloches to protect crops against cold snaps.

• Plant out asparagus, onion sets, early potatoes, garlic, artichokes and rhubarb.

• Finish planting fruit trees and bushes to give them time to establish before summer. Plant strawberry plants.

• Mulch around established plants with organic mulch, such as homemade compost.

• Hoe soil on dry days to stop weed seedlings.

• Continue harvesting kale and cabbages.