JOBS TO DO THIS WEEK
■ Roses are starting to put out fresh foliage – this is a key time to spray against mildew and black spot and apply a slow-release organic fertiliser at the base for a healthy plant. Tie in climbing roses using figure of eight ties.
■ Mulch around box hedging with a well-rotted manure – they have surface roots which will absorb available nutrients. Also mulch around spring bulbs that have flowered to stop them drying out.
■ Start sowing indoors runner beans and pumpkins, which will be ready for planting outdoors after the last frost in May.
■ Earth up early potatoes as soon soon as green shoots appear. Covering the stems encourages new tubers to develop from the stems and you are also ensuring tubers are not exposed to light, which would turn them green.
■ Keep bird baths and feeders topped up with water and seed to encourage birds to your garden.
■ Start sowing indoors runner beans and pumpkins, which will be ready for planting outdoors after the last frost in May.