The Caley Hort Yearly Seasonal Tasks Garden Guide

Gardening doesn’t follow the clock, but it does follow the seasons — and if you lean into what each month brings, the work becomes easier and more rewarding.

This isn’t a rigid schedule or a long list of chores. It’s a practical guide to assist you throughout the year — the jobs that matter, the small wins that make a difference, and the little tricks learned by working with the soil right here in Scotland. Whether you’re tending a back garden by the Forth, a snug vegetable patch in the city, or a long-established country garden, there’s always something just right for every month.

And because every garden is unique, we’d love to hear what works for you — gardening wisdom grows best when shared.

January — Clear the decks & care for what’s already there

January isn’t about rushing outside — it’s about giving the garden the best possible start. The soil is resting, plants are dormant, and the weather (annoyingly), changes its mind every five minutes. But a few simple jobs now can set everything up nicely for spring.

Feed and protect the soil
Spread compost, leaf mould or bark around borders and over veg beds. It keeps the cold out and gives worms something to work into the soil — they’ll take care of the improvements for you.

Other useful jobs

• Brush heavy snow off shrubs so branches don’t split
• Check supports on young trees or climbers — winter winds love making mischief
• Raise pots slightly (on feet, bricks, or even stones) so they don’t sit in icy puddles
• Keep bird feeders topped up — they’ll repay you later by helping with pests
• Give tools a clean and a bit of oil — they’ll feel brand new come spring

A handy tip

Start a little garden notebook:
What worked well last year, and what definitely didn’t?
A few scribbles now make planning so much easier when the season gets going again.

February — Get things growing again (slowly)

February still feels like winter, but the garden is starting to stir. Buds swell, daylight stretches, and you can almost sense roots waking up beneath the soil. It’s a good month for gentle progress — preparing what will soon burst into life.

Now’s a good time to prune fruit bushes
Blackcurrants, redcurrants, gooseberries and brambles (be careful of those thorns), all benefit from a tidy while they’re still dormant. A quick prune now encourages strong new shoots and better fruit later — nothing too severe, just remove the damaged, tangled or very old wood.

Other useful jobs

• Add compost or well-rotted manure to veg beds — it will settle in before sowing
• Check stored tubers and bulbs (like dahlias) for rot and remove any soft ones
• Chit seed potatoes somewhere cool and light — sturdy little sprouts make stronger plants
• Tackle perennial weeds on milder days — they’re easier to remove while sleepy
• Keep bird feeders clean — reduces disease and keeps garden helpers strong

A handy tip
Don’t rush seed sowing. Light levels are still low, so early seedlings can get leggy indoors. Stick to the hardier crops for now or start just a few favourites under cover — it keeps the excitement going without wasting seed.

March — A gentle push toward growing season

March is when the garden starts to stir. You’ll spot the first hints of colour, birds get noisier, and every sunny day feels like a promise. But it’s still a month of surprises — warm one minute, rain, sleet or snow the next. So, we take it steady: encouraging new growth but make sure you keep some form of protection close at hand.

Start sowing — but keep it cosy
It’s the perfect moment for crops that don’t mind a chill. Sow hardy vegetables like broad beans, spinach, kale, onions, radishes, and peas — ideally under cover or in a cold frame.

Early flowers such as sweet peas and calendula can get going now too. A gentle start now means sturdier plants when the weather settles properly.

Other useful jobs

• Plant onion sets and shallots — they love the cool soil
• Divide snowdrops “in the green” once they finish flowering — they establish better this way
• Pot on early seedlings before roots get cramped
• Tidy perennials as new shoots appear, cutting away last year’s dead stems
• Remove weeds while they’re tiny — a huge time-saver later

A handy tip

Use toilet roll tubes as biodegradable pots for peas and beans. They give long roots room to stretch — and you can plant the whole tube straight into the soil with no disturbance.

April — The growing season begins (but with a watchful eye on frost)

April is when everything suddenly wakes up — including the weeds. Seedlings stretch, buds swell, and it finally feels like gardening is paying off again. But Scotland isn’t done with cold snaps just yet, so this month is all about steady progress and protecting what you’ve worked for.

Harden off young plants before planting out
Anything raised indoors, in a greenhouse or bought from the garden centre needs time to adjust. A week or two outdoors during the day — then back in at night — builds resilience and avoids shock when they finally go into the ground.

A little patience now avoids a lot of sulking later.

Other useful jobs

• Pot on seedlings that are outgrowing their first trays — more room means stronger roots
• Plant early potatoes in trenches or deep containers once soil is workable
• Feed shrubs, roses and fruit bushes with a compost mulch or organic fertiliser
• Tie in climbing plants before they tangle themselves in knots
• Keep an eye on slugs and snails — they’ve been waiting for this moment

A handy tip

Upcycle plastic bottles into mini cloches
Cut the bottom off a clear bottle and pop it over tender seedlings overnight. Instant frost protection — free, practical, and perfect for April’s unpredictable moods.

May — Plant Out & Give Young Plants a Good Start

May is when the garden finally feels alive again. The days warm up, life begins to stir and the soil wakes up, and suddenly there’s a lot more to do outside. Be mindful that frost can still sneak in, so a bit of care now helps everything find its feet.

Plant out tender crops — carefully
Once frost risk has passed (usually later in the month), tomatoes, beans, courgettes and bedding plants can go into the ground or pots. Harden them off first so they’re not shocked by cooler nights.

Other useful jobs

• Net brassicas — pigeons think you planted them just for them
• Add supports for tall plants now rather than when they flop
• Keep an eye on slugs and snails — they adore young growth
• Mulch around shrubs and perennials to lock in moisture

A handy tip
Water early in the morning rather than in the evening — it keeps slugs away and helps plants dry before temperatures drop.

June — Water, Feed & Enjoy What’s Growing

The garden finds its rhythm in June. Plants are stretching, bees are busy, and you can finally see the season taking shape. Staying on top of watering and early harvests is the key.

Water deeply and consistently
Frequent shallow watering leads to shallow roots. Give plants a good soak less often so they grow strong and tolerant of dry spells.

Other useful jobs

• Pinch outside shoots on cordon tomatoes for better fruiting
• Keep hoeing or hand-weeding — tiny weeds become big problems
• Harvest early crops like lettuce, strawberries and radishes
• Deadhead flowers to keep colour coming

A handy tip
Collect rainwater in every available container — just like this last year, dry spells can catch us out.

July — Pick, Pick & Keep Picking

July is peak productivity — and peak pest activity. The more you harvest, the more your plants will give. It’s a month of gathering, snipping and enjoying the garden at full tilt.

Harvest regularly
Beans, courgettes and berries keep producing if you keep picking. Leave them too long and the plant slows right down.

Other useful jobs

• Watch out for caterpillars — tiny now, havoc later
• Water containers daily during warm spells
• Feed flowering plants every couple of weeks
• Tie in new growth on climbers

A handy tip
Freeze herbs in ice cube trays with olive oil — perfect for winter stews and saves them going to waste.

August — Gather & Prepare for What’s Next

August might feel like the height of summer, but gardeners are already thinking ahead. A month for saving, planting and gently nudging the garden into its next phase.

Sow for autumn and winter
Salads, spring cabbage, kale and biennial flowers can all be started now to keep the season going.

Other useful jobs

• Collect and dry seeds from your favourite plants
• Take cuttings from herbs and perennials
• Peg down strawberry runners for free new plants
• Cut back spent summer growth to keep things tidy

A handy tip
Keep harvesting courgettes while they’re small — blink and they become marrows overnight.

September — Think Ahead to Spring

Late summer warmth plus autumn rain equals perfect planting time. September is an investment month — what you do now is exactly what you’ll thank yourself for in six months.

Plant spring bulbs — Daffodils, crocus, alliums and early tulips go in now for a burst of colour next March and April.

Other useful jobs

• Clear finished veg crops and add them to the compost
• Give lawns a light feed and scarify if needed
• Trim hedges one last time before winter
• Start building leaf piles — future soil food

A handy tip
Store leaves in bin bags with a few air holes. Allow nature to take its course, and in time, you’ll have wonderful (and free), leaf mould — brilliant for improving soil structure.

October — Tidy, Without Going Too Tidy

Autumn colour is beautiful — and useful. Fallen leaves shelter wildlife and feed the soil. So, tidy the unhealthy stuff, and let the good mess stay a while.

Remove diseased plant material
Anything showing blight, rust or mildew should be cut out and binned or burned — not composted.

Other useful jobs

• Lift tender plants inside or fleece on cold nights
• Finish pruning late-fruiting raspberries
• Plant garlic and overwintering onions
• Add fresh compost to beds that are now empty

A handy tip
Pile up old sticks, pinecones and logs to create a simple wildlife hotel — it’s amazing who moves in.

November — Trees, Roots & Winter Sleep

Cold settles in, but the soil is still warm enough for roots to keep growing. November is the very best month for new woody plants in Scotland.

Plant bare-root fruit and trees
Hazel, currants, cane fruits, apples and pears take brilliantly when planted while dormant.

Other useful jobs

• Protect pots with bubble wrap or fleece
• Check drainage — heavy rain is more harmful than frost
• Keep paths clear of slippery leaves
• Cut back herbaceous perennials once they’ve properly died back

A handy tip
Spread compost on beds now — let worms and winter weather work it in for you.

December — Slow Down & Take Stock

Short days, frozen soil and the occasional dash outside to top up the bird food… December is mostly about looking after the garden from indoors — cozying up to a roaring log-burner, whilst dreaming up next year’s plans.

Feed the birds
They’ve supported your garden all year — now it’s your turn to return the favour.

Other useful jobs

• Clean pots, tools and greenhouses before spring rush
• Order seeds early to avoid January shortages
• Recycle real Christmas trees as mulch or plant shelter

A handy tip
Snip evergreen branches and lay them over tender perennials — it helps them ride out frost and wind.

Final Thought

Of course, not one-size-fits-all – gardening is never one-size-fits-all. and this article isn’t here to tell you how it should be done — it’s simply there to guide you find what works best for you.

Everybody has their own way of looking after their plot, and gardening isn’t about perfection — it’s about what works best for you, paying attention to the land, and noticing what each month brings.

Some days you’ll get fresh air, other days you’ll just get cold hands — but every small job adds up to a healthier, happier garden.

And if you learn something that works really well, why not pass it on? That’s how Scottish gardens grow stronger, year after year.