RHS diary: what to do in the garden in February Cold and humidity can encourage fuzzy grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) on leaves, stems or flower buds of plants overwintering under glass. Remove any dead or dying foliage. Water and improve ventilation to reduce humidity. Prune shoots of overwintering fuchsias to one or two buds. If you can maintain the temperature at about 10C (50F), pot up dahlia tubers and start bringing them into growth. In milder areas, start pruning hybrid tea and floribunda roses; in colder areas the pruning is best delayed until March. Finish off cutting back perennial and deciduous ornamental grasses, getting the beds ready for mulching. Remove some of the older leaves and damaged or diseased foliage of hellebores when the flower buds start to emerge. Prune shrubs grown for winter stem colour, such as Cornus alba, Cornus sanguinea and Salix alba. Prune back all stems to two buds (two pairs of buds for Cornus) of the previous season's growth. Renovate deciduous hedges such as beech and hornbeam. If healthy, they will tolerate reduction by up to about 50 per cent in height and width, but such drastic pruning is best spread over two seasons. To start sowing outdoors early, consider pre-warming a patch of soil. When the ground is not too wet, first cultivate the soil, incorporating organic matter and fertiliser if needed. Cover the soil with clear plastic film or cloches. It is also possible to use black polythene, but ensure a good contact with the soil. Fleece is less effective. To keep the sheet in place, tuck it into the soil, or weigh the edges down with bricks. Leave in place for six weeks until you are ready to sow. After sowing, cover the soil with cloches or fleece to protect the germinating seeds and young plants from the worst weather. Clay soils are slower to warm up as they hold a large amount of water. Unless water is lost to evaporation, pre-warming will not be very effective. It is preferable to use cloches on clay. Crops to try Early carrots ('Adelaide," 'Yukon") Bolt-resistant beetroot ('Boltardy") Broad bean ('Masterpiece Green Longpod " 'Witkiem Manita") Kohl rabi ('Kolibri") Lettuce ('Little Gem," 'Merveille de Quatre Saisons") Parsnip ('Gladiator," "Archer") Peas ('Feltham First," 'Douce Provence") Radish ('Sparkler") Salad onions ('White Lisbon," 'Purpette") Shallot ('Long Red Florence") Turnips ('Atlantic," 'Milan Purple Top") Narcissus 'February Gold' Bright and beautiful: Narcissus 'February Gold' (Pic: Alamy) This is a vigorous daffodil for early spring colour. The single flowers are golden yellow and 7.5cm (3in) wide, and the perianth segments (outer petals) are slightly reflexed (curved back). The flowers reach about 30cm (12in) tall. Bulbs are best planted in the autumn in moist but well-drained soil and in full sun or light shade. Wear gloves when handling daffodil bulbs as the sap can cause skin irritation. Make sure that the soil is moist when in full growth and let the foliage die down naturally. If necessary, lift, divide and replant once the foliage starts to die down after flowering. Soil miller/cultivator This is a great tool for final preparation of seed beds. When pushed over the soil surface, the rotating, sharpened, star-shaped wheels of the soil miller will break up larger clods, creating a fine surface for seed sowing, while the pendulum blade will hoe off weeds. It is also very useful for loosening and aerating soil in beds and between rows of vegetables. The working width of this Wolf Garten example (£42.99) is 15cm (12in); the handle is interchangeable with other Wolf Garten tools (0845 894 1599) At RHS Harlow Carr on February 9, horticulture tutor and radio presenter Joe Maiden leads a course on crop protection. RHS members: £40, non-members: £45. The Winter Garden walk at RHS Rosemoor on Feb 15 will inspire you to brighten up your winter landscape. RHS members: £10, non-members: £18. All four RHS gardens will have half-term family events from February 16-28. At RHS Garden Wisley, see the beautiful butterflies in the Glasshouse, and then get involved in the butterfly- themed activities. RHS Gardens Hyde Hall, Rosemoor and Harlow Carr will have scarecrow-themed activities including trails, stories, crafts and workshops. See details and entry prices for each garden on the RHS website. From Feb 19 -20, the RHS London Plant and Design Show at the Horticultural Halls will display an extensive selection of early spring plants. RHS members free, non-members £5. On March 1 the RHS Gardens are opening their gates free to everyone for a day. Bring your friends and show them round your favourite parts of the gardens).