Snip now and your flowers will thank you later as a small trim can work wonders, says Joe Swift

Fresh experiments signal a season of change in the garden

Work your way through your borders, removing dandelion flowerheads before they get the chance to set seed. Flowers of dandelions are a useful source of early nectar for pollinators but if they are abl

Remove the tall old stems of Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) to encourage strong new growth. Use secateurs to cut each stem to 15cm from ground level, which might seem drastic but will result

As the long nights shorten, Mounton House garden quietly emerges from winter with delicate sprinklings of white narcissi, Scilla siberica and crocuses through the lawns. Daphnes fill the air with frag

Spread a bulky mulch on top of the soil surface around the base of young apple trees to condition the soil, hold in moisture and suppress weeds. This will all help the tree to establish well. Use well