• Mulch beds when moist and weed-free. Use a 5-10cm layer of organic mulch to help return vital plant nutrients to the soil and keep weeds at bay.

• Dead head spring bulbs leaving leaves on for a minimum of six weeks.

• Guide climbers along supports regularly.

Pruning and Fertilising
• I love this time of year. On every roundabout, in every park and garden, daffodils are still in bloom. Before yours die down give them a boost with a liquid feed. This will fill them full of nutrients for next year.

• Cut back straggly evergreens to encourage new growth from base.

• Check all ties on trees and shrubs to ensure new growth is tied in and old ties aren’t strangling branches.

• If you have any hydrangeas with flower heads kept on from the winter, prune them back now.

Sven Wombwell

Have you got some questions of your own that need answering? As our resident Gardens Expert, Sven is here to answer all your gardening queries. He will select two queries a month from the Gardens Message Board so get posting.
For more information on Sven himself, check out Meet Sven Wombwell.