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

There are a whole host of lovely small trees that will grow happily in your metre and bring wildlife into your garden, whether it’s for food, shelter or a nesting site. At this time of year it’s best

Lucy highlights some of the most pressing jobs she’ll be tackling this fortnight

Prepare a free-draining, sunny and weed-free bed to grow broad beans. Rake in blood, fish and bonemeal fertiliser to give the plants a boost. Plant the seedlings in a row, 15-20cm apart. Dig a hole an

There are some vegetables that thrive in the cold, but unless you aspire to self-sufficiency Tom Coward recommends caution when sowing very early in the year. “It’s a mistake, although we always do it

Lucy considers some of the exciting jobs to be done as spring gets underway