It's time to: March

Plant

Plant winter herbs such as coriander, chervil and rocket – as well as plenty of lettuce.

Plant sweet peas, go to page 70 to find out more.

Plant annuals for winter/spring colour. Choose pansies, cineraria, viola, poppies, primula and stock.

Order and plant miniature gladioli, ixia, ranunculus, anemone, and freesia for a spring show.

Feed

Feed all shrubs with fertiliser to boost growth, and do the lawn as well.

Feed roses for one more autumn flush.

Help citrus ripen with a good dose of citrus food, and keep an eye out for the silvery trails that indicate citrus leaf miner. Spray with Pest Oil or Eco Oil.

Cuttings 

Take cuttings of natives: grevillea, banksia and coastal rosemary.

Heads 

Remove finished agapanthus heads to avoid them sprouting from seed.

Tidy up hydrangea heads.

Soil

Prepare the soil for strawberry runners. Dig in well-rotted manure and compost. Add potash. Wait six weeks before planting runners or new plants.

Refresh mulch to retain soil warmth through autumn.

Change 

Ditch tired pot plants and celebrate the change of season with a new look.