“When life gives you basil, make pesto.”

…or make a really delicious salad accompanied by fresh tomatoes and freshly sliced mozzarella.  ☺

I love a good fresh salad, especially in the ‘dog days of summer’ … a balmy Saturday night in the warm evening sun.  Ah…to dream. 

Unfortunately, with frosty mornings intertwined with cold incessant rain, even here in the UK, those days seem so far, far away.

But this time of year is all about preparation. To begin, or begin dreaming, about preparing, click here, here and here.

I have used the advice – a lot! – of the first two gardeners: Mark Cullen in the Toronto area, and Garden Answer in the northwest U.S. Both give practical, well-explained, encouraging advice. – Maria

Every year, on the second weekend of February, I trim back my climbing rose plants.  A good neighbour told that this is the best time to do it in the UK, just before they start to create new shoots, and after the last hard frost of the season. 

I’ve been doing this for the past 10 years and it’s never failed me.

For me, the trimming of the roses is always the first step on the annual growing ladder.

It’s a great feeling, even when the weather is miserable to get on that first rung, get it done, and then plan the next step.

Steps 2 and 3 are to get some more manure in the vegetable beds whilst preparing my seed pots for my tomato plants.

And finally, if we get fortunate and we get some February sun, it’s an opportunity to get out and pull weeds in the flower beds.

So, all of you gardeners out there, what are your steps in your February routine? Do you have some tips and recommendations you can share with the rest of amateur gardeners?

Please let us know in the comments.