Maintenance
Remove algae from paths if they start to become slippery. Brush hard surfaces with a stiff broom or a wire brush to remove growth.
Gently remove snow from glasshouses and conservatories to prevent damage to the glass and allow good light penetration.
Go through your shed and remove any old, out-of-date garden chemicals. If in doubt of how to dispose of them, your local council recycling centre should be able to help. You can check our list of chemicals removed from the market for up-to-date information.
Repair
Check and repair pergolas and arches if needed.
Rub down and treat wooden garden furniture when dry. Only use paints and preservatives in a well-ventilated area.
In dry spells, you can treat timber structures with wood preservative and stain. Make sure you use appropriate products, and only do this in a well-ventilated space.
New projects
Put design ideas for new garden projects on paper and cost them out. This month is your last opportunity to see the bare skeleton of your garden before all the perennials and new leaves emerge. Hard landscaping has less impact on plants when they are still dormant. But do take care not to compact your soil with machinery when it is wet.
Garden contractors are likely to be less busy before March, and may therefore be available for major jobs such as paving, fence building and pond digging.
Make a coldframe – you could save money, as good cold frames can be expensive to buy. Look out for recycled materials such as old windows, greenhouse glass and pallets to keep the cost down and be more sustainable.