It is often said that a garden should be treated as another room in your house so, now that the days are getting longer and spring is finally getting underway, it's time to pull on those wellies and give that garden some attention after a winter of neglect.

Spring bulbs should be flowering at their best during April but to keep the garden looking lovely as we move into the summer months you need to do some groundwork now.

Feed and Weed: go through your flower beds pulling up any winter annuals and clearing any weeds before they get too big.

Then, before you sow any new plants, take the opportunity to spread some all-purpose fertilizer to give the soil an extra boost. It's also a good time to feed shrubs and roses.

Go Veggie: as the weather warms up and the danger of frost fades, sow vegetables such as carrots, beetroot and spring onions.

It is best to keep delicate herbs such as basil and coriander in pots on a windowsill and or in a greenhouse to protect them from the April showers.

The Green, Green Grass of Home: as soon as it is dry enough, give the lawn a trim.Then, as the days warm up, sow grass seed over any bald patches then apply lawn fertilizer to encourage good growth in the coming months.

It can also be a good time to lay turf as long provided the ground is not waterlogged. The turf will also need to lay undisturbed for a couple of weeks to allow it to take root.

Pond Life: to get your pond in tip-top condition for summer, clear out all the fallen leaves that will have collected in your pond over the past few months. Remove and thin out any pond plants that are getting too big and cut back any surrounding foliage. It is also important to take care when you are moving pond plants about as this is the time when frogs and newts are spawning.

Flower Power: as daffodils and tulips start to fade, remove the dead flowers by nipping off the bloom at the base. Now is also the time to sow summer bedding plants, but keep them under glass for the time being, ready to be planted outside later in the year.