Jobs to do

■ Prune forsythia (pictured) as soon as it has finished flowering, cutting back to strong, young shoots.

■ Trim winter-flowering heathers as the flowers disappear, to prevent plants becoming leggy.

■ Tie in new honeysuckle and clematis stems. These plants will be putting on growth now, and you’ll need to train them along their supports.

■ Continue to remove faded flowers from winter pansies to stop them setting seed.

■ Deadhead daffodils and tulips as the flowers finish, but leave foliage intact, allowing it to die back naturally.

■ Apply a layer of mulch around perennials, trees and shrubs. Use organic matter such as well-rotted manure.

■ Improve the drainage of heavy soils by incorporating plenty of organic matter.