Gardening with Pat Duke: Now's the time to clear a path for new growth

Now that snowdrops have started to push themselves up and wobble on their stems, it’s time to think about separating plants to fill in those gaps in the borders and stop untidy clumps forming.

Those with a seriously unhealthy obsession for snowdrops can visit St Raphael’s Church in Huccaby on Dartmoor and marvel at the wide collection there. I m not sure they separate theirs from past experience.

As well as winter aconites, herbaceous perennials can be divided if they've overgrown their little patch. Include in this plants that hardly flowered last year or are looking unshapely.

Dig out the whole clump and then depending on the root system, either get medieval with a sharp spade right through the centre or if the roots are more entwined then separate gently with two opposing forks like teasing apart noodles.

This technique is not only frugal, it improves plant health at the same time. If you don’t want more plants then find someone who does and spread the love.

While you’re in the flowerbed, clear away any remaining dead leaves and stems to clear a path and make light brighter for new growth.

If you’re looking for a new project and kicking your heels looking down at the frosty garden, think about putting a small pond in.

Don’t be put off, it’s as simple as falling off a log. At its simplest, an hour's work can transform a small space and invite a whole host of wildlife almost immediately into the garden.

Find a pond casing, and the recycling centre always seems to have one knocking about, or a recycling app will have a list to choose from.

After you’ve made sure it’s water tight, dig a hole the same shape and back fill around it. You can then start to fill it with rocks for amphibians to climb in and out.

Exotic irises and water lilies will take to it in April and you can sit nearby with a mug of tea and watch the electric blue and pink dragon flies hovering among the rushes.

ON THE PLOT

Try not to do what I do every year and be the last ever person to buy seed potatoes.

If you get them now, you’ll have plenty of time to leave them in the shed window and chit them to get a decent head start.

You will also have the whole spectrum of choice in terms of variety. Charlotte and Kestrel are two varieties I find that do very well in our temperate climate but they are by no means stand alone in this regard.

Sow speedy growing summer cabbages indoors where space allows. Greyhound and F1 Spitfire are great tasting and reliable varieties that if sown this week will be ready in four months' time. Plant them outside when they are ankle height.

Crafty gardeners do this as it beats the prime time for cabbage whites to reach maturity and munch their way through your crop.

Remember where you planted the rhubarb as they really don’t like being stomped on. It’s an idea to mark them with the ubiquitous bamboo cane. Plonk some manure on them if you need to which will certainly help you avoid standing on them and ensure the stems grow tall and wide.

I know this sounds a little bit matronish, but all winter crops must be cleared by now ready for spring planting.

If you need to spend the next week freezing, pickling and making soup then so be it. It usually serves as a reminder not to be so profligate with the seeds at sowing time.

I can honestly say I never get it right and every February I’m feverishly preserving or eating vegetables I’ve grown too many of.

I’d probably be more irked if I’d not grown enough, so you can never win.