Something for the weekend

If the weather remains mild in February then here are some tasks to tackle, giving you a great opportunity to get outdoors:
 
Prune

• Roses and fruit trees can be pruned
• Perennial shrubs and ornamental trees will need pruning for shape
• Cut back loose hanging ivy branches and remove any that have attached themselves to guttering and wooden window frames
• Also cut late flowering clematis back to the ground
• Cut back buddleia to within six inches of the older wood. If you have a plant that has been neglected this can be cut to waist height.

Lawn care

• Repair any damage to the lawn by re-sowing bare areas with grass seed. Edges can be repaired with squares of turf
• Stay off the lawn until it is drier as in wet conditions it can be easily damaged.

Other

• Get on top of weeds especially nettles, thistles and bindweed by digging out and burning the roots
• Sweep and clean paths – power wash them if necessary and remove any algae and weeds
• Slugs and snails will start to become a menace again, you can use beer or citrus skins on a daily basis to trap them or scatter pellets
• The last of your leeks can be harvested now tooPonds are coming to life and water plants are starting to grow. Thin out the oxygenating plants and divide marginal plants.