* Mulch asparagus beds and clumps of rhubarb with manure or compost.

* Place cloches over ground where early sowings are to be made.

* Continue to cut back faded foliage on herbaceous perennials.

* Take root cuttings of oriental poppies, verbascum and phlox.

* Sow under glass quick growing perennials to flowering this year.

* Begin to feed plants in established borders using a controlled-release slow-acting fertiliser and try not to get fertiliser on the new foliage.

* Water indoor strawberries sparingly, removing any dead leaves.

* Don't let your pond freeze over completely. Stick a floating ball in it before it's too late.

* Top-dress year-round tubs and don't let any sheltered containers dry out.

* Continue to plant soft fruit bushes and bare-rooted fruit trees if weather permits.