JOBS TO DO THIS WEEK

Increased light levels mean house plants start to wake up, so they will need more watering. Also, start to feed them, for example citrus plants.

Lift and divide perennials – it’s good to do hostas before they come into leaf.

Feed roses and other flower beds with general fertilisers such as chicken pellets or well-rotted farmyard manure.

Prune penstemons back to base – leaving the growth on over winter will have helped to protect the plant from frost.

Depending on the weather in your area, it will soon be time for the first lawn cut. Remember to keep the blade higher for the first cut, and apply a high-nitrogen fertiliser to give turf a boost.

Climbing roses are starting to put out shoots – tie in to supports. The best way is to connect stem and support using twine or string in a figure of eight, which allows a bit of movement for the stem as it flexes and grows.

Above, take softwood fuchsia cuttings and place in a heated propagator or cover with polythene.