Garden calendar
What to do in the garden, month by month — sowing, planting, pruning and harvesting through the year.
January
The quietest month — plan next year, order seeds and protect plants from hard frost.
Late winterFebruary
The first stirrings — start seeds under cover and tackle dormant pruning before growth begins.
Early springMarch
The garden wakes up — sow hardy crops, plant perennials and give the lawn its first cut.
SpringApril
Growth accelerates — plant perennials and sow tender crops indoors, but keep an eye on late frost.
Late springMay
After the last frosts (mid-May / the "Ice Saints") plant out everything tender and fill the borders.
Early summerJune
Peak growth — deadhead to keep flowers coming, water wisely and enjoy the longest days.
SummerJuly
High summer — watering and harvesting dominate; keep deadheading for a long second flush.
Late summerAugust
Keep the garden going through the heat, collect seed and start planning the autumn planting.
Early autumnSeptember
The best month to plant — warm soil and cooler air help new perennials, shrubs and lawns establish.
AutumnOctober
Autumn colour and planting time — get trees, shrubs and tulip bulbs in while the soil is still warm.
Late autumnNovember
Put the garden to bed — protect tender plants, finish bulb planting and tidy for winter.
WinterDecember
Rest and reflect — protect, plan next year and leave seedheads standing for wildlife.