The soil starts to warm up in March, so this is an ideal time to transplant evergreen shrubs and confiers or to plant new ones, including hedges. Planting early means new roots start to grow almost immediately, helping the plants to establish quickly.

Lift and divide congested clumps of perennials or plant new ones. People gardening on light soils may have completed this task last autumn, but those of us on heavy clay soils benefit from waiting until spring when conditions are warmer and drier.

Seed-sowing plans should now be in full swing to raise the summer's bedding plants. By keeping a diary of when all the different varieties should be sown, you will be able to ensure everything stays on schedule. Most of the bedding plants that need early sowing, such as busy Lizzies, lobelias and petunias, will also require extra heat to encourage speedy germination, so you might consider investing in an electric propagator.

Prune shrubs

Many shrubs need pruning now. As well as pruning down the old stems of buddleias, trim large winter-flowering jasmines to control growth and stop it getting straggly. Tie in new shoots you want to retain. Any dogwoods or willows you have been enjoying for their colourful winter stems can be pruned back hard to their base now. These stems may still root if used as hardwood cuttings.

Apply fertiliser

As winter moves into spring, sprinkle a general fertiliser around trees and shrubs and along the bases of hedges. Fruit trees and bushes benefit from an application of sulphate of potash, while special rose fertilisers are available for all types of bush and climbing roses. It is best to hoe such feeds gently into the soil surface, watering in if conditions are dry. Spring-flowering bulbs should also receive a feed once their blooms have finished.

Spread a mulch of garden compost around the base of fruit trees, shrubs and roses. Avoid piling the mulch up against their stems, as this could cause the bark to rot.

Check pot plants two or three times a week, watering as required. Include a half-strength liquid feed with every watering.

Large-leaved plants, including rubber plants and Swiss cheese plants, will benefit from a thorough clean. Wash off dust and grime with a proprietary leaf-shine product or with cotton wool soaked in milk and water.

Brighten up your home with a seasonal bowl arrangement. Try including such plants as ferns, hypoestes, kalanchoes, ivies or spider plants, and individual plants can be replaced to ring the changes.

Late digging after rain

It rained so much during autumn and the start of winter that many people gardening on heavy soil will find it impossible to complete the winter digging. Be prepared to get out at a moment's notice if conditions improve to prepare beds for sowing and planting in spring. There is no need to dig soil deeply every year unless you want to incorporate more compost, gravel or other soil conditioners. Forking over the surface to remove old crops and weeds should be sufficient for most people. It may be worth investing in a few dozen bags of mushroom compost each year; this can simply be raked over the soil for the worms to work in over the coming weeks.

Bare-rooted shrubs

The majority of roses, hedging plants, fruit trees and bushes are still sold during winter as bare-rooted plants. They must be planted as soon as they arrive or at least have their roots buried in soil in a holding area outside. Try to complete planting before the end of March, preparing the soil well to improve its structure and drainage. Remember to soak dry roots in a large bucket of water for an hour or so before planting, as they could have dried out during delivery.

Rake up leaves and debris from around roses after pruning and mulch them with a thick layer of compost. This helps reduce the chance of black spot disease being carried over from last season to infect leaves this year.

• Wash frames and cloches inside and out with soapy water to clean away a build-up of dirt. This ensures maximum light passes through the glass of plastic to reach seedlings and crops at this dull time of year.
• Take care not to walk over borders or lawns where spring bulbs and flowers will be emerging.
• Order young plants from mail-order companies. These will usually be delivered during April and May to plant up for summer displays.
• Sort out canes and plant supports ready to use over and round emerging clumps of tall perennials.
• Use a pressure washer to clean paths, steps, paving and patios. Be on the lookout for slugs and snails, which will quickly feed on emerging shoots of perennials and bulbs.
• Keep emerging weeds under control, hand-weeding regularly or using a hoe if conditions are dry.
• Check that mowers and garden machinery are in good working order and ready for the season ahead.
• Look out for compost bargains at garden centres so that you have all you need ready at hand for spring sowing and potting.
• Clear away old plant debris from around the margins of ponds and use a net to scoop out any leaves that have fallen into the water.