The days have definitely started lengthening (sunrise in London is now at 6.30am yippee) and spring is coiled building energy to bounce winter away. With a rise in temperature and sunlight it's a joy to be out gardening!

1. Bulb planting - If you missed the chance to plant snowdrops in the green last year or missed putting in your other bulbs these can be now be bought already actively growing from garden centres and nurseries. The same is true for tulips and daffodils.

2. Sterilise pots - All of those empty seed trays and pots that are lying in the corners empty can be cleaned and sterilised and then be tidily put aside until they are needed again. it also gives less places for snails and slugs to hide.

3. Edible garden - It is almost time to make sowigs of lettuce and other salad leaves. Now is a great time to warm the soil of your vegetable beds to allow earlier sowings of productive edible crops. Start chitting 1st early potatoes ready to plant out in the soil or patio containers.

4. Leaf mulch -  Collect any remaining seasonal leaf fall from deciduous trees and shrubs and store in a hessian or plastic bag. Be careful in damp areas as frogs and toads may be sheltering underneath.

5. Pruning - Prune shrub and hybrid roses to ensure health vigour and  a good floral display this year if you haven't already so they don't put energy into weak shoots. Start though with the diseased, damaged, dead or crossing branches.

6. Ornamental grasses - Cut back flowered stems of miscanthus now before new growth gets going and makes this a time consuming job!

7. Ladybirds - when cutting back dead herbaceous growth be careful of the ladybirds that are sleeping. If they are disturbed gently move them all to the same new plant home they will snuggle up together for the remainder of their dormancy.

8. Hardy annuals  - make sowings of sweep peas now if you didn't in October or if you just want more!

If you would like some help with any of these tasks Edens Design are here to help you.