Gardening jobs for the weekend

It's a bank holiday and the weather's not looking bad (for the most part), so here are some things you can be getting on with...
It's a good time to trim back plants like aubrieta. (Dave Overend).It's a good time to trim back plants like aubrieta. (Dave Overend).
It's a good time to trim back plants like aubrieta. (Dave Overend).

Harden off half-hardy plants by leaving them outside during the day and bringing them back under cover at night before planting outdoors.

Plant summer hanging baskets, adding good-quality compost, slow-release fertilizer and water-retaining crystals.

Harden off dahlias and tender exotics.

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Trim back spreading plants like aubrieta (pictured), alyssum and perennial candytuft after they’ve flowered, to encourage fresh new growth.

Lift forget-me-nots to reduce spreading.

Take cuttings of tender perennials, such as fuchsia, argyranthemum and pelargonium.

Prune out overcrowded and dead stems of early-flowering clematis after flowering.

Inspect plants for pests and diseases.

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