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January might be the middle of winter but as the days lengthen the garden starts to grow. Now is a great time to plan for the coming gardening year and to order seeds and plants. Enjoy the fresh air, on dry sunny days, and check your winter protection, stakes, ties and supports are still working after any severe weather. Also put out food for birds and leave some garden areas uncut, a little longer, to provide shelter for wildlife in your garden. This month's main gardening jobs as suggested by the RHS are: Recycle your Christmas tree by shredding it for mulch Clean pots and greenhouses ready for spring Dig over any vacant plots that have not been dug already More jobs for January... Recycle your Christmas tree by shredding it for mulch Clean pots and greenhouses ready for spring Dig over any vacant plots that have not been dug already Disperse worm casts in lawns Inspect stored tubers of Dahlia, Begonia and Canna for rots or drying out Prune apple and pear trees Start forcing rhubarb Plan your vegetable crop rotations for the coming season Keep putting out food and water for hungry birds Make a polythene shelter for outdoor peaches and nectarines, to protect against peach leaf curl Please visit the RHS website for more detailed guidance on each of this month's jobs above, plus much more. Also highly recommended is the excellent Gardening Know How (January) section at Sutton's Seeds website, for more great gardening tips and advice! Cover Image by jggrz from Pixabay

Planting in the garden Plants will provide changing colours, shapes and character to your garden throughout the year. Planting trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs provide height, so give an extra dimension to your garden. With careful selection they can also provide colour for seasonal interest throughout the year whether with flowers, fruit, autumn leaves or winter silhouettes. Select the right size and number of trees to fit with the size of your garden, bearing in mind the mature height and spread. Look to have one or two trees in a small to medium garden. Too many trees or potentially large trees may outgrow their space. Which trees and shrubs are best for my garden? Take a look at the RHS' comprehensive guide to looking after garden trees and shrubs and see their list of suitable plants for different locations. These links will take to the RHS website. In Seaside/coastal areas Strawberry tree (Arbutus) Hawthorn (Crataegus) Whitebeam (Sorbus aria) Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) Cordyline Cotoneaster Euonymus Fuchsia Hebe Helianthemum Holly (Ilex aquifolium) Lavender Olearia Phlomis Santolina Tamarisk For Industrial/built-up areas Barberry (Berberis) Sun rose (Cistus) Smoke tree (Cotinus) Mock orange (Philadelphus) Potentilla Flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) Weigela Maple (Acer) Tree of heaven (Ailanthus) Laburnum Ornamental apple (Malus) Ornamental cherry (Prunus) Ornamental pear (Pyrus) Willow (Salix) Able to tolerate poorly drained soil Flowering quince (Chaenomeles) Spiraea Weigela Hornbeam (Carpinus) Willow (Salix) Amelanchier Silver birch (Betula pendula)

September is generally a cooler, gustier month than August and the days are noticeably shorter. While there's not as much to do in the ornamental garden at this time of the year, if you have a fruit or vegetable patch, you'll be busy reaping the rewards of harvest. It's also time to get out and start planting spring-flowering bulbs for next year and you can collect seeds for next summer's colour too. Make the most of the remaining warmth while you can! This month's main gardening jobs are: Divide herbaceous perennials Pick autumn raspberries Collect and sow seed from perennials and hardy annuals Here are some more jobs and reminders for September as circulated by the RHS... Divide herbaceous perennials Pick autumn raspberries Collect and sow seed from perennials and hardy annuals Dig up remaining potatoes before slug damage spoils them Net ponds before leaf fall gets underway Keep up with watering of new plants, using rain or grey water if possible Start to reduce the frequency of houseplant watering Clean out cold frames and greenhouses so that they are ready for use in the autumn Cover leafy vegetable crops with bird-proof netting Plant spring flowering bulbs Please visit the RHS website for more detailed guidance on each of this month's jobs above, plus much more. Also highly recommended is the excellent Gardening Know How (September) section at Sutton's Seeds website, for more great gardening tips and advice! Cover Photo from Pixabay

August is usually one of the hottest months of the year - making watering essential. Try to use grey water wherever possible, especially as water butts may be running low if it has been a dry summer. August is traditionally holiday-time, so you might need to enlist the help of friends and family to look after the garden while you are away. When you are at home, take the time to prune Wisteria and summer-flowering shrubs such as lavender once they've finished flowering. This month's main gardening jobs are: Prune Wisteria Don’t delay summer pruning fruits trained as restricted forms Deadhead flowering plants regularly Here are some more jobs and reminders for August as circulated by the RHS... Prune Wisteria Don’t delay summer pruning fruits trained as restricted forms Deadhead flowering plants regularly Watering! - particularly containers, and new plants, preferably with grey recycled water or stored rainwater Collect seed from garden plants Harvest sweetcorn and other vegetables as they become ready Continue cutting out old fruited canes on raspberries Lift and pot up rooted strawberry runners Keep ponds and water features topped up Feed the soil with green manures Please visit the RHS website for more detailed guidance on each of this month's jobs above, plus much more. Also highly recommended is the excellent Gardening Know How (August) section at Sutton's Seeds website, for more great gardening tips and advice! Cover Image by Steve Bidmead from Pixabay

This month there are signs of the approaching spring, with bulbs appearing and wildlife waking up as light levels and temperatures increase. There's plenty to do indoors this month to prepare for the season ahead. Outdoors, as the garden comes to life again, it's time to prune shrubs and climbers, such as Wisteria as well as evergreen hedges. This month's main gardening jobs as suggested by the RHS are: Plant deciduous trees, shrubs and hedging Take hardwood cuttings for more plants next year Reduce the amount of water you give to houseplants More jobs for February... Prepare vegetable seed beds, and sow some vegetables under cover Chit potato tubers Protect blossom on apricots, nectarines and peaches Net fruit and vegetable crops to keep the birds off Prune winter-flowering shrubs that have finished flowering Divide bulbs such as snowdrops, and plant those that need planting 'in the green' Prune Wisteria Prune hardy evergreen hedges and renovate overgrown deciduous hedges Prune conservatory climbers such as bougainvillea Cut back deciduous grasses left uncut over the winter, remove dead grass from evergreen grasses Please visit the RHS website for more detailed guidance on each of this month's jobs above, plus much more. Also highly recommended is the excellent Gardening Know How (February) section at Sutton's Seeds website, for more great gardening tips and advice! Cover Image by Carola68 Die Welt ist bunt...... from Pixabay

July is often one of the hottest months of the year and a great time to sit out and enjoy your garden. You can help keep plants looking good by regularly dead-heading, and you'll enjoy a longer display of blooms. Make sure you keep new plants well watered, using 'grey' water where possible, and hoe off weeds, which continue to thrive in the sunshine. This month's main gardening jobs are: Check clematis for signs of clematis wilt Care for your houseplants while on holiday Water tubs and new plants if dry, but be water-wise Deadhead bedding plants and repeat-flowering perennials, to ensure continuous flowering Pick courgettes before they become marrows Here are some more jobs and reminders for July as circulated by the RHS... Check clematis for signs of clematis wilt Care for houseplant while on holiday Water tubs and new plants if dry, but be water-wise Deadhead bedding plants and repeat-flowering perennials, to ensure continuous flowering Pick courgettes before they become marrows Clear algae, blanket weeds and debris from ponds, and keep them topped up Order catalogues for next year’s spring-flowering bulbs Give the lawn a quick-acting summer feed, especially if not given a spring feed Treat apple scab Harvest apricots, peaches and nectarines Please visit the RHS website for more detailed guidance on each of this month's jobs above, plus much more. Also highly recommended is the Gardening Know How (July) section at Sutton's Seeds website for more great gardening tips and advice. Cover Photo by Dustin Humes on Unsplash

As we approach the shortest day of the year in December you will need work to keep you warm outside, such as digging and tree pruning. Check your winter protection and if you have a greenhouse make sure the heater is working. Hopefully there are not too many jobs left to do this year so you will have time for some fireside garden planning. This month's main gardening jobs are: Check your winter protection structures are still securely in place Check that greenhouse heaters are working Insulate outdoor taps and prevent ponds from freezing. Here are some more jobs and reminders for December as circulated by the RHS... Check your winter protection structures are still securely in place Check that greenhouse heaters are working Insulate outdoor taps and prevent ponds from freezing Prune open-grown apples and pears (but not those trained against walls) Prune acers, birches and vines before Christmas to avoid bleeding Harvest leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage, sprouts and remaining root crops Deciduous trees and shrubs can still be planted and transplanted Take hardwood cuttings Keep mice away from stored produce Reduce watering of houseplants Please visit the RHS website for more detailed guidance on each of this month's jobs above, plus much more. Also highly recommended is the excellent Gardening Know How (December) section at Sutton's Seeds website, for more great gardening tips and advice! Cover Photo from Pixabay

Leaves are falling rapidly, and wind and rain are on the increase. Tender plants will need protecting from frost, gales and freezing rains. Move plants into the greenhouse, or into a sheltered spot, but if you can't, it is worth wrapping plants or pots. Remember winter can be a tough time for birds in terms of water and food, so keep supplies well topped up. This month's main gardening jobs are: Clear up fallen leaves - especially from lawns, ponds and beds Raise containers onto pot feet to prevent waterlogging Plant tulip bulbs for a spring display next year Here are some more jobs and reminders for November as circulated by the RHS... Clear up fallen leaves - especially from lawns, ponds and beds Raise containers onto pot feet to prevent waterlogging Plant tulip bulbs for a spring display next year Prune roses to prevent wind-rock Plant out winter bedding Cover brassicas with netting if pigeons are a problem Insulate outdoor containers from frost - bubblewrap works well Stop winter moth damage to fruit trees using grease bands around the trunks Put out bird food to encourage winter birds into the garden Use a seasonal bonfire - where this is allowed and if appropriate - to dispose of excess debris unfit for composting Please visit the RHS website for more detailed guidance on each of this month's jobs above, plus much more. Also highly recommended is the excellent Gardening Know How (November) section at Sutton's Seeds website, for more great gardening tips and advice! Cover Photo from Pixabay

Although we had some warmer days over September, the autumn is now definitely here for real, and it feels colder. It's a beautiful time of year, with the trees changing colour. Sometimes it may seem pointless raking, when the wind blows even more leaves onto the lawn, but just think of all the lovely leafmould you can make! It's also time to start preparing for early frosts. This month's main gardening jobs are: Divide established rhubarb crowns to create new plants Cut back perennials that have died down Divide herbaceous perennials Here are some more jobs and reminders for October as circulated by the RHS... Divide established rhubarb crowns to create new plants Cut back perennials that have died down Divide herbaceous perennials Move tender plants, including aquatic ones, into a greenhouse or conservatory Plant out spring cabbages Harvest apples, pears, grapes and nuts Prune climbing roses Finish collecting seeds from the garden to sow next year Last chance to mow lawns and trim hedges in mild areas Renovate old lawns or create new grass areas by laying turf Please visit the RHS website for more detailed guidance on each of this month's jobs above, plus much more. Also highly recommended is the excellent Gardening Know How (October) section at Sutton's Seeds website, for more great gardening tips and advice! Cover Photo from Pixabay

As the bulbs fade away and herbaceous borders grow in leaps and bounds, summer is approaching! Sowing and planting out bedding plants can now begin, depending on regional weather variations, and you can also take softwood cuttings. It's also time to get back into the lawn mowing regime, as the lawn will be loving the warmer temperatures that May brings. This month's main gardening jobs are: Keep weeds under control Mow your lawns weekly Lift and divide clumps of Daffodils a few weeks after blooming Here are some more jobs and reminders for May as circulated by the RHS... Watch out for late frosts. Protect tender plants Earth up potatoes, and promptly plant any still remaining Plant out summer bedding at the end of the month (except in cold areas) Water early and late to get the most out of your water, recycle water when possible Regularly hoe off weeds Open greenhouse vents and doors on warm days Mow lawns weekly Check for nesting birds before clipping hedges Lift and divide overcrowded clumps of daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs Watch out for viburnum beetle and lily beetle grubs. Please visit the RHS website for more detailed guidance on each of this month's jobs above and much more. Also recommended is the Gardening Know How section at Sutton's Seeds website for great gardening tips and advice.

Spring is finally here! The almost long forgotten sounds of lawnmowers starting up, followed by the aroma of freshly cut grass, are not far away. This month's main gardening jobs as circulated by the RHS are: Cut back winter shrubs Sow some seeds and prepare seed beds Lift and divide perennials More jobs for March... Protect new spring shoots from slugs Plant shallots, onion sets and early potatoes Plant summer-flowering bulbs Lift and divide overgrown clumps of perennials Top dress containers with fresh compost Mow the lawn on dry days (if needed) Cut back Cornus (dogwood) and Salix (willow) grown for colourful winter stems Hoe and mulch weeds to keep them under control early Start feeding fish and using the pond fountain; remove pond heaters Prune bush and climbing roses Please visit the RHS website for more detailed guidance on each of this month's jobs above, plus much more. Also highly recommended is the excellent Gardening Know How (March) section at Sutton's Seeds website, for more great gardening tips and advice!

A warm early summer June breeze. Perfect for gardening but probably best to avoid the direct midday sun. June 21 is of course the longest day of the year, and the extra light and warmth is appreciated by the late evening gardener. It encourages the garden to put on an exuberant burst of growth, however this extra light and warmth also means ideal conditions for those pesky, sneaky weeds that will inevitably sprout up again. You can keep on top of them by hoeing regularly in dry conditions. This month's main gardening jobs are: Hoe borders regularly to keep down weeds Be water-wise, especially in drought-affected areas Pinch out sideshoots on tomatoes Harvest lettuce, radish, other salads and early potatoes Position summer hanging baskets and containers outside Here are some more jobs and reminders for June as circulated by the RHS... Hoe borders regularly to keep down weeds Be water-wise, especially in drought-affected areas Pinch out sideshoots on tomatoes Harvest lettuce, radish, other salads and early potatoes Position summer hanging baskets and containers outside Mow lawns at least once a week Plant out summer bedding Stake tall or floppy plants Prune many spring-flowering shrubs Shade greenhouses to keep them cool and prevent scorch Please visit the RHS website for more detailed guidance on each of this month's jobs above, plus much more. Also recommended is the Gardening Know How section at Sutton's Seeds website for more great gardening tips and advice. Cover photo by Anastasiya Doicheva on Unsplash.

With the clocks having sprung forward and Spring finally here, daffodils and flowering trees start to bloom. Whilst you can expect the inevitable April showers this month we'll have sunny days too, so it's an ideal time to turn your attention to the lawn. April is an exciting month, indoor-sown seeds are well into growth, and it's also time to start sowing outdoors. Just watch out for those unexpected frosts! This month's main gardening jobs as circulated by the RHS are: Keep weeds under control Sow hardy annuals, herbs and wild flower seed outdoors Sow new lawns or repair bare patches Here are some more jobs and reminders for April... Keep weeds under control Protect fruit blossom from late frosts Tie in climbing and rambling roses Sow hardy annuals, herbs and wild flower seed outdoors Start to feed citrus plants Increase the water given to houseplants Feed hungry shrubs and roses Sow new lawns or repair bare patches Prune fig trees Divide bamboos and waterlilies Start feeding fish and using the pond fountain; remove pond heaters Prune bush and climbing roses Please visit the RHS website for more detailed guidance on each of this month's April jobs and much more. Also recommended is the Gardening Know How section on Sutton's Seeds for great gardening tips and advice.