Rhubarb is becoming increasingly popular as it is so easy to grow and will provide a continual crop well into the summer. New plants can be found in garden centres and require planting in a moist soil in a sunny spot. If you already have an old plant then it is now time to carry out some renovation. Lift the plant and split off the outer portions of the old crown. Plant these in a new spot or replace the old soil in the present position. Finally mulch around the new plants with compost and water in. Cut back newly planted rose bushes to encourage strong new shoots from the base. Old woody roses should also have a couple of the most mature stems cut right down as this will also help revitalise the whole plant. If this is carried out each year you will eventually have what amounts to a new rose. If you only use organic fertilisers on your roses apply this now and mulch around the plant with compost. This material will break down slowly ready to be available as growth starts in a few weeks time. If you have acid loving plants such as rhododendrons, pieris or camellias in the garden and they are not looking to well the problem could be the wrong type of soil. This can be helped by treating the soil with an acidifying material and sulphur chips are on of the best. They actually reduce the ph of the soil over a long period and help plants get the right nutrients from the soil. Sequestrene is also helpful but doesn't actually alter the soil ph; therefore it has to be applied more regularly. Mulch acid-loving plant every three years using peat, leaf mould or manure. If you have anything to plant that is bare root then try to get it in as soon as possible so that roots have time to develop before top growth starts. The recent mild weather also creates ideal conditions for the planting of herbaceous perennials. Winter pruning should be finished as soon as possible in order to prevent bleeding from cuts as the sap starts to rise. If any wooden structures carrying plants need preservatives applying, get this done as soon as possible before new growth starts.