Seeds to sow indoors in a heated greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill:

• Greenhouse Cucumbers
• Leeks
• Onions
• Greenhouse Tomatoes

Seeds to sow outdoors where they are to grow. Check that the soil is workable and not too cold. A couple of weeks before sowing your seed cover the patch of soil with horticultural fleece or polythene sheets to help warm it up then just before sowing prepare the soil:

• Peas
• Broad Beans
• Radishes
• Turnip

Plants to plant outside in the ground. Before planting seedlings prepare the soil:

• Shallots
• Rhubarb

Other tasks to do in the vegetable garden:

• Dig over the soil if it is not too wet or cold
• Cover establishd Rhubarb to force an early crop
• Chit Seed Potatoes
• Check for wind damage

• The Vegetable Garden in January - Jobs to do in the vegetable garden or allotment in JanuaryTweet ...
• Jobs to do in November - Flower/Plants Pull up annuals and put on the compost heap then fork over the beds and border Prune rambling and climbing roses Pot up tender perennials from summer displays and bring under cover for the winter Rake autumn leaves from lawns, and pick them out from around border plants Plant new hedges Fruit/Vegetables Save seeds from your favourite ...
• Jobs to do in January - In the Flower Garden: Plant bare-root roses, trees and shrubs Prune standard roses Take hardwood cuttings from shrubs Remove dead stems and leaves from perennials Tidy grasses In the Vegetable Garden: Fork over empty beds and mix in compost Plant fruit trees Prune Gooseberry bushes Warm up beds for early crops Tie raspberry and blackberry canes to support ...

Rhubarb can be grown from seed sown in April but it is much better to plant "crowns" to ensure a good strong plant and fruitful crop. You can expect to get 5 to 10 years from your plant so they are very good value. The only drawback is that you will not be able to pull your crop until the plant is a couple of years old so you need to be patient in the early days.

Plant crowns during November and December ideally, but you can plant up to March.

We are going to order two varieties for our allotment Rhubarb 'Fulton's Strawberry Surprise' which was voted the best flavoured Rhubarb in the RHS trials and Rhubarb 'Victoria' which will be ready to pull after 2 years.

When planting choose a sunny spot in the garden or on the allotment and dress each year with well-rotted compost or farmyard manure. Every five years or so lift each plant, divide into three or four smaller plants and replant or give some to your friends or neighbours.

Rhubarb does not have many troubles but it may suffer from Crown Rot where the buds begin to rot and the sticks become thin and dull. There is no cure for this so you will have to pull up the plants and burn them, don't replant Rhubarb in the same area. You may also see signs of Honey Fungus; white streaks in the dead tissue of the crown and orange toadstools around the plants. Dig out all the roots and burn.

The sticks, or stalks, can be left to develop for pulling between April and July or they can be "forced" from December or January to provide a crop in February or March.

To force your crop just cover the plant with a upturned bucket or large plant pot with the hole covered up, or invest in a Rhubarb Forcer for a more elegant look. Here are a few examples from Crocus.co.uk.

£54.99	£59.99	£69.99

• How to Grow Asparagus - This amazing vegetable is famously known for its gourmet taste, delicate flavour and unique texture. Not only would this make a great dish but you can grow this vegetable in your own garden.Tweet ...
• How to Grow Onions - Onions  Click here for Onion Troubles Sowing Time Planting Time Soil Spacing Cutting / Lifting Time Storage Cooking Onions can be grown from Sets or from Seed. Onion sets are immature bulbs which have been specially grown for planting. Sets tend to be easier and safer to grow than seed but they are much more expensive. You can buy heat-treated sets which prevents bolting ...
• How to Grow Carrots - Carrot  Go to Carrot Troubles Sowing Time Planting Time Soil Spacing Cutting / Lifting Time Storage Cooking Unless growing carrots for show purposes grow them as close as possible to avoid having to weed. Water during dry periods. Pull up small carrots from June and lift the main crop in October and store between layers of sand. Keep in a cool, dry place checking ...

Seeds to sow indoors in a heated greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill:

• Leeks
• Onions
• Greenhouse Tomatoes

Seeds to sow outdoors where they are to grow. Check that the soil is workable and not too cold. A couple of weeks before sowing your seed cover the patch of soil with horticultural fleece or polythene sheets to help warm it up then just before sowing prepare the soil:

• Radishes

Plants to plant outside in the ground. Before planting seedlings prepare the soil:

• Rhubarb

Other tasks to do in the vegetable garden:

• Dig over the soil if it is not too wet or cold
• Cover establishd Rhubarb to force an early crop

• The Vegetable Garden in February - Jobs to do in the vegetable garden or allotment in February.Tweet ...
• Time to Force your Rhubarb - Rhubarb can be grown from seed sown in April but it is much better to plant “crowns” to ensure a good strong plant and fruitful crop. You can expect to get 5 to 10 years from your plant so they are very good value. The only drawback is that you will not be able to ...
• Jobs to do in January - In the Flower Garden: Plant bare-root roses, trees and shrubs Prune standard roses Take hardwood cuttings from shrubs Remove dead stems and leaves from perennials Tidy grasses In the Vegetable Garden: Fork over empty beds and mix in compost Plant fruit trees Prune Gooseberry bushes Warm up beds for early crops Tie raspberry and blackberry canes to support ...

In the Flower Garden:

• Plant bare-root roses, trees and shrubs
• Prune standard roses
• Take hardwood cuttings from shrubs
• Remove dead stems and leaves from perennials
• Tidy grasses

In the Vegetable Garden:

• Fork over empty beds and mix in compost
• Plant fruit trees
• Prune Gooseberry bushes
• Warm up beds for early crops
• Tie raspberry and blackberry canes to support wires

In the Greenhouse:

• Monitor heaters to ensure they are working efficiently
• Take root cuttings of perennials
• Wash greenhouse glass to let in more light
• Water plants when the compost is dry
• Regularly deadhead over-wintering plants

Lawns:

• Continue to Remove fallen leaves
• Don't walk on frozen turf
• Have the mower over­hauled and to make sure that the other lawn tools are ready for use in the spring
• Laying turf is possible during fine spells

General:

• Recycle your Christmas tree
• Order seed potatoes, onion sets and garlic
• Order early from seed catalogues
• Dig compost into empty areas of soil
• Add shredded winter prunings to your compost heap

• Jobs to do in November - Flower/Plants Pull up annuals and put on the compost heap then fork over the beds and border Prune rambling and climbing roses Pot up tender perennials from summer displays and bring under cover for the winter Rake autumn leaves from lawns, and pick them out from around border plants Plant new hedges Fruit/Vegetables Save seeds from your favourite ...
• Jobs to do in December - In the Flower Garden: Move patio containers to a sheltered spot if very cold Plant out Wallflowers Plant out new rose bushes Take root cuttings of suitable perennials Move shrubs growing in the wrong place In the Vegetable Garden: Take hardwood cuttings from healthy fruit bushes Start pruning apple and pear trees Cut down Jerusalem artichokes Prune Gooseberry bushes Sow winter lettuces In the Greenhouse: Monitor heaters ...
• Take Hardwood Cuttings - Now is the time to take hardwood cuttings. Hardwood cuttings should be successful from most deciduous trees and shrubs, try buddleja, forsythia, philadelphus, ribes and roses. The best time to take the cuttings is during early and mid winter but don’t take them if frost is forecast. Take a good look at your chosen tree or shrub and select a branch/shoot which is ...

In the Flower Garden:

• Move patio containers to a sheltered spot if very cold
• Plant out Wallflowers
• Plant out new rose bushes
• Take root cuttings of suitable perennials
• Move shrubs growing in the wrong place

In the Vegetable Garden:

• Take hardwood cuttings from healthy fruit bushes
• Start pruning apple and pear trees
• Cut down Jerusalem artichokes
• Prune Gooseberry bushes Sow winter lettuces

In the Greenhouse:

• Monitor heaters to ensure they are working efficiently
• Ventilate greenhouses on warm, dry days
• Plant up Hippeastrums (Amaryllis) bulbs
• Treat timber with preservative
• Use rainwater to keep potted azaleas moist

Lawns:

• Brush away fallen leaves
• Keep off the lawn when it is wet or frozen
• Turfing is possible during fine spells

General:

• Wrap insulation around all outside taps and pipes
• Order early from seed catalogues
• Dig compost into beds empty areas of soil
• Check tree and climber ties are secure
• Keep bird feeders clean

• Jobs to do in January - In the Flower Garden: Plant bare-root roses, trees and shrubs Prune standard roses Take hardwood cuttings from shrubs Remove dead stems and leaves from perennials Tidy grasses In the Vegetable Garden: Fork over empty beds and mix in compost Plant fruit trees Prune Gooseberry bushes Warm up beds for early crops Tie raspberry and blackberry canes to support ...
• Jobs to do in November - Flower/Plants Pull up annuals and put on the compost heap then fork over the beds and border Prune rambling and climbing roses Pot up tender perennials from summer displays and bring under cover for the winter Rake autumn leaves from lawns, and pick them out from around border plants Plant new hedges Fruit/Vegetables Save seeds from your favourite ...
• Take Hardwood Cuttings - Now is the time to take hardwood cuttings. Hardwood cuttings should be successful from most deciduous trees and shrubs, try buddleja, forsythia, philadelphus, ribes and roses. The best time to take the cuttings is during early and mid winter but don’t take them if frost is forecast. Take a good look at your chosen tree or shrub and select a branch/shoot which is ...

Flower/Plants

• Pull up annuals and put on the compost heap then fork over the beds and border
• Prune rambling and climbing roses
• Pot up tender perennials from summer displays and bring under cover for the winter
• Rake autumn leaves from lawns, and pick them out from around border plants
• Plant new hedges

Fruit/Vegetables

• Save seeds from your favourite tomatoes, herbs and other crops
• Plant hardy peas and beans
• Take hardwood cuttings from fruit bushes
• Pot up herbs to bring indoors for winter
• Plant out autumn onion sets

Greenhouse

• Bring pots of tender bulbs and perennials under cover
• Line greenhouses with bubble polythene to provide insulation
• Clean glazing, staging and matting ready for next summer
• Clear away tomatoes and cucumbers adding the waste to your compost heap
• Sow sweet peas in pots

General

• Store hoses, sprinklers and other watering equipment in the shed over winter
• Lay new lawn turf
• Protect ceramic or glazed pots from frost damage
• Order bare-rooted roses for planting in autumn
• Wrap insulation around outside taps and pipes

• Jobs to do in January - In the Flower Garden: Plant bare-root roses, trees and shrubs Prune standard roses Take hardwood cuttings from shrubs Remove dead stems and leaves from perennials Tidy grasses In the Vegetable Garden: Fork over empty beds and mix in compost Plant fruit trees Prune Gooseberry bushes Warm up beds for early crops Tie raspberry and blackberry canes to support ...
• The Vegetable Garden in February - Jobs to do in the vegetable garden or allotment in February.Tweet ...
• The Vegetable Garden in January - Jobs to do in the vegetable garden or allotment in JanuaryTweet ...

Flower/Plants

• Lift and pot on tender perennials to store indoors
• Plant spring-flowering bulbs into borders and pots
• Collect up and compost leaves as they begin to fall to make leaf mould
• Plant evergreen shrubs and hedging, or move any that are growing in the wrong place
• Pull up annual climbers and cut back untidy perennial climbers; add to the compost hea[

Fruit/Vegetables

• Sow green manure crops in bare spaces to dig in in the spring
• Pick apples, pears and plums as they ripen
• Sow and plant: broad beans, peas, Japanese and autumn onion sets, spring cabbages and garlic
• Bring potted herbs under cover to protect them
• Lift and store any remaining potatoes in a cool, dry place

Greenhouse

• Pot up rooted cuttings
• Plant pots of hyacinths for flowering in time for Christmas
• Check that heating equipment is working efficiently
• Bring potted azaleas indoors and water with rain water
• Water indoor cyclamen to bring them back into growth after their summer rest

General

• Buy farmyard manure or mushroom compost to dig into the soil during autumn, even better use your own compost 
• Increase the height of the cut on your mower
• Spread netting over water features and ponds to prevent leaves going in
• Order roses to plant out this winter
• Cover newly planted bulbs with wire netting to prevent squirrels digging them up

• Jobs to do in September - Flower/Plants Prune rambling roses Cut back perennials once they have finished flowering Collect seed from perennials and store in a cool place Take cuttings of lavender Cut everlasting flowers and seed heads for use in indoor arrangements Fruit/Vegetables Plant out rooted strawberry runners into new beds Sow outdoors: hardy spring onions, lettuces, salads and Chinese cabbages Sow parsley in pots for picking in winter Plant ...
• Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs - Bulb is a general term used for plants which have a food storage organ which allows them to grow and flower quickly once the ideal conditions are available. There are four types of “bulb”: true bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes. The Gardener can find a huge and colourful selection of bulbs for every season of the ...
• Protect Plant Roots - Now the weather’s turned much colder it’s a good time to think about protecting plants in your borders. Very tender plants will need to be lifted and stored under cover, however hardier plants and shrubs can be protected by applying a layer of mulch to protect their roots. Weeds should be removed from the borders first, ...

Flower/Plants

• Prune rambling roses
• Cut back perennials once they have finished flowering
• Collect seed from perennials and store in a cool place
• Take cuttings of lavender
• Cut everlasting flowers and seed heads for use in indoor arrangements

Fruit/Vegetables

• Plant out rooted strawberry runners into new beds
• Sow outdoors: hardy spring onions, lettuces, salads and Chinese cabbages
• Sow parsley in pots for picking in winter
• Plant out Japanese onion sets and garlic
• Cut down raspberry canes once they have finished cropping

Greenhouse

• Pick off the lower leaves from tomatoes to allow light and air to reach the fruits
• Keep poinsettias in the dark for 14 hours a day to encourage colourful bract formation
• Close vents at night as the weather turns cooler
• Keep grow bags well watered
• Start watering indoor cyclamen to promote new growth

General

• Hoe borders to keep weeds down
• Prepare areas for sowing new lawns during showery weather
• Trim hedges and topiary into shape
• Buy spring bulbs
• Order sweet-pea seed for autumn planting

• Jobs to do in October - Flower/Plants Lift and pot on tender perennials to store indoors Plant spring-flowering bulbs into borders and pots Collect up and compost leaves as they begin to fall to make leaf mould Plant evergreen shrubs and hedging, or move any that are growing in the wrong place Pull up annual climbers and cut back untidy perennial climbers; add ...
• Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs - Bulb is a general term used for plants which have a food storage organ which allows them to grow and flower quickly once the ideal conditions are available. There are four types of “bulb”: true bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes. The Gardener can find a huge and colourful selection of bulbs for every season of the ...
• Protect Plant Roots - Now the weather’s turned much colder it’s a good time to think about protecting plants in your borders. Very tender plants will need to be lifted and stored under cover, however hardier plants and shrubs can be protected by applying a layer of mulch to protect their roots. Weeds should be removed from the borders first, ...

Flower/Plants

• Keep camellias well watered to avoid flower buds dropping off next spring due to drought
• Prune wisteria; shorten long side shoots back to five or six leaves
• Deadhead roses; unless they produce hips
• Trim lavender after flowering to stop it going woody
• Plant bulbs: nerines, autumn crocuses, and autumn daffodils

Fruit/Vegetables

• Continue to sow outside: lettuces, endives, kohl rabi, spring cabbages, French and runner beans, and beetroots
• Peg down strawberry runners into the soil or pots of compost for more plants
• Ensure crops are all well watered during hot weather
• Prune old fruited stems of cane fruits down to soil level
• Spray potato foliage with a copper fungicide to avoid blight

Greenhouse

• Treat container plants with nematodes if vine weevil damage is visible
• Continue taking cuttings from tender plants
• Keep the greenhouse well ventilated
• Pinch out any side shoots on tomato plants and tie in stems as they grow
• Feed plants regularly with a liquid feed

General

• Order flower bulbs for autumn planting
• Prune early flowering shrubs
• Trim lawns and edges regularly
• Deadhead border plants after flowering
• Hoe regularly to avoid weeds

• Jobs to do in July - Flower/Plants Sow biennials Divide flag irises Feed baskets and patio pots each week with liquid fertiliser Take cuttings from climbers Pinch out the tips of chrysanthemum shoots to encourage flowers Fruit/Vegetables Water early potatoes if the weather is dry Prune cordon gooseberry plants Sow outside: lettuces, radishes, spring cabbages, endives, kohl rabi, French and runner beans, spinach, turnips and beetroot Pick off damaged fruits from ...
• Plant of the Month for June - Our Plant of the Month Papaver orientale or Oriental Poppy produces delicate flowers from May to July above bristly, grey-green leaves. The flower colours vary from white, through pink to red. They are a fast-growing plant and easy to grow, the pale papery flowers contrast especially well with purple foliage plants such as Heuchera.Tweet ...

Flower/Plants

• Sow biennials
• Divide flag irises
• Feed baskets and patio pots each week with liquid fertiliser
• Take cuttings from climbers
• Pinch out the tips of chrysanthemum shoots to encourage flowers

Fruit/Vegetables

• Water early potatoes if the weather is dry
• Prune cordon gooseberry plants
• Sow outside: lettuces, radishes, spring cabbages, endives, kohl rabi, French and runner beans, spinach, turnips and beetroot
• Pick off damaged fruits from apples and pears
• Plant out sweetcorn and other crops raised under glass

Greenhouse

• Open all vents and doors early each day
• Pot on rooted cuttings Introduce natural predators to control pests such as red spider mite, whitefly and mealy bug
• Ensure growing bags never dry out
• Take cuttings from bedding plants and houseplants

General

• Remove moss from lawns
• Trim box edging and privet hedges
• Remove suckers growing around trees
• Deadhead lilac and rhododendrons
• Keep an eye out for pests and treat immediately

• Jobs to do in August - Flower/Plants Keep camellias well watered to avoid flower buds dropping off next spring due to drought Prune wisteria; shorten long side shoots back to five or six leaves Deadhead roses; unless they produce hips Trim lavender after flowering to stop it going woody Plant bulbs: nerines, autumn crocuses, and autumn daffodils Fruit/Vegetables Continue to sow outside: lettuces, endives, kohl rabi, spring cabbages, ...
• Plant of the Month for June - Our Plant of the Month Papaver orientale or Oriental Poppy produces delicate flowers from May to July above bristly, grey-green leaves. The flower colours vary from white, through pink to red. They are a fast-growing plant and easy to grow, the pale papery flowers contrast especially well with purple foliage plants such as Heuchera.Tweet ...