- As winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) comes to the end of its flowering season, it will benefit from a haircut. Prune the spent stems to strong buds or young shoots. Rejuvenate established plants and encourage healthy new growth by removing a fifth of the oldest stems at ground level.

- Spring-flowering alpines, below, need a smart setting. Remove all weeds, as well as any fallen leaves and debris that are smothering the plants, then top up gravel mulches to improve the surface drainage and prevent stem rotting. The gravel will also provide the perfect foil for the flowers.

- If you lifted submersible pumps (for running fountains and underwater lighting) out of the garden pond last winter, you can put them back in the water now, having checked they are in full working order. It’s also safe to take pond heaters out of the water now the weather is warming up.

Readers’ questions

Can you recommend an early-flowering rose for my garden?

V Campbell, Lichfield

One of the earliest roses is Rosa xanthina‘ Canary Bird’, which has a mass of lightly fragrant, pale yellow flowers in late spring and early summer. It also produces arching stems and unusual fern-like grey-green leaves. Grow it as a medium-sized ornamental shrub (it has a height and spread of 6ft to 8ft) or plant several together to create an informal hedge.

What’s the best way to keep cats off my newly sown vegetable patch?

F Alexander, Fulham

Cats often scratch up seed beds when using the freshly cultivated ground as a litter. Try spreading a sheet of Enviromesh (from www.greengardener.co.uk) over the recently sown areas or lay prickly hawthorn, holly or rose prunings around the seed beds. Hold them in place with wire hoops, then you can move them when the seedlings emerge so they don’t cause an an obstruction. Coleus canina (from the-plant-directory.co.uk) deters cats with its scent. Grow it in a container and place near the vegetable patch.

garden.expert@sunday-times.co.uk

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