Things to do in the garden this weekend

• The mild winter we have had means that many more pests will have over wintered and stayed alive but many more predators should survive also. Pay particular attention to pest control in conservatories, glasshouses, cold frames and tunnels as aphid and other pest populations will boom.
• If soil is not too wet, start weeding and digging over borders and any new areas ready for planting.
• Dead head winter pansies to prolong their display.
• Hippeastrums, also known as amaryllis, growing indoors will require watering once or twice a week. Do not over water as the roots may rot. You should see some beautiful flowers very soon.
• Plan a new project for the garden – think about adding something new to your garden, maybe a pond, a new border, planting shrubs that birds will appreciate as well as adding nesting boxes and feeding stations for the birds.
• Cut hedges before birds start nesting.
• How about learning how to propagate? It's easy. Now is the time to take hardwood cuttings of willow and root cuttings of perennials. Pick up all your propagating material along with other gardening bargains at your local garden centre, like St Bridget Nurseries.