TO DO LIST

Choose small starter plants or plugs of osteospermums, pelargoniums or fuchsias. Grow on a warm, well-lit windowsill in pots of multipurpose compost. In four weeks, nip out the growing tips to promote further growth.

Plant three or four pre-chitted tubers of early potatoes in large (12-18in) containers to produce early crops. Move them outside after the last frost.

If the lawn is dry enough, give the grass its first cut with the blades set up high to cope with the extra length.