With the promise of spring in the air and the days slowly stretching, February is a month that invites us back into the garden.

Pruning takes centre stage this month and roses are at the top of the list. Hybrid tea and floribunda roses flower on new growth, so don’t be afraid to prune them hard. You’ll get more flowers in a few months’ time, too! Start with removing any dead, damaged or diseased stems before tackling crossing branches. Always cut just above a healthy outward-facing bud. The aim is an open, balanced shape. Shrub roses are far more forgiving and can be trimmed quickly with a hedge cutter or sharp shears if time is short.

Encourage vigorous growth and a better display of flowers

This is also an excellent month to prune elder and buddleia. As both flower on new wood, harder pruning now will encourage vigorous growth and a better display of flowers later in the year. Deciduous grasses left standing for winter interest can now be cut right back before new shoots emerge. I always prefer to give evergreen grasses a gentle comb-through with a rake or my fingers to remove old growth. Pampas grass can be cut down to a low mound to allow light to reach the emerging new shoots.

Relocate dormant shrubs

February is also a busy time for planting and moving. Snowdrops will be finishing their display by the end of the month. This is the perfect time to lift and divide them ‘in the green.’ It’s also a good time to relocate dormant shrubs, provided they’re small enough to move without damaging the roots. Bare-root roses and fruit trees should be planted before the month is out. I like to add a sprinkle of mycorrhizal fungi on the roots when planting, to give them a bit of a head start in life.

In the vegetable garden, you can begin chitting potatoes and sowing broad beans indoors. Autumn-fruiting raspberries should be cut right back to ground level now, giving new canes the space and strength to support this year’s crop.

Spare a thought for wildlife when clearing up

When clearing up around the garden, spare a thought for the wildlife. Try to leave some fallen leaves, piles of sticks and dead standing plants, as they will undoubtedly be housing some hibernating insects. The birds will still be relying on feeders, too, so keep them topped up.

On warmer days, bumblebees may venture out, and potted crocuses or primroses provide a vital early source of nectar. If there’s room for a new nest box, now is the time to put it up before the nesting season begins.