• Remove winter protection from pools and ponds, and start to feed fish sparingly.
  
• Cleaning up paths and paving will make the whole garden look better. Hot, soapy water is as good as anything for removing dirt and algae.
  
• If you have a large lawn, consider hiring a scarifier to remove thatch and improve growth. On small lawns, a spring-tine rake should do the job just as well.
  
  

Trees, shrubs and climbers:

• You can still prune summer-flowering clematis and climbing roses.
  
• You can still transplant small trees or shrubs that are badly positioned, but be prepared to water them well in dry spells. Erect a windbreak in windy gardens to prevent the foliage drying out while the roots are establishing.
  
• Start to spray tree fruit or soft fruit for any pests and diseases that were a serious problem last year.