l Cut away the old foliage from Epimedium and the Lenten lily, Helleborus orientalis; this will allow you to see the flowers properly, before the new leaves appear.

2 Sow broad beans in trays in the greenhouse or cold frame, to protect them from mice and give them a head-start on outdoor-sown crops.

3 Prune back late-summer flowering clematis, such as Clematis tangutica and Clematis orientalis. They can be cut back to within a foot or so of the ground if you are brave enough.

February 6, 2003 11:00