SPRING is in the air (no, really) and the green-fingered among us are turning our thoughts to gardening.

Even though summer seems an eternity away at the moment, to reap the benefits later you have to start work now.

To be able to sit in the garden on a warm summer's evening listening to the breeze rustling through your begonias you have to put in the hard work.

Even though it's best to wait until the soil has begun to warm up before planting or sowing, there are plenty of things to be done now in preparation for the warmer weather.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society, which supplies expert gardening advice as part of its service to members, it is always best to be guided by local conditions, as the timing of jobs will be affected by the weather. If soil is sodden, lay down planks and work from them.

In general, the RHS recommends the following should be done in your garden by the end of February.

Check the state of trellis, fences, arches and other permanent plant supports and repair and treat as necessary.

Continue to weed and clear up plant debris.

Ventilate the greenhouse on sunny days.

Water house and conservatory plants sparingly.

As far as lawns are concerned, the RHS recommends that you do not tread on grass if it is covered with snow, frosted or sodden.

They recommend laying turf if conditions are fair and preparing the ground for seed-sown lawn. They also advise scattering worm casts with a broom.

The Royal Horticultural Society offers the following tips for March:

Start pruning at the south end of your garden at the beginning of the month and work northwards towards the end of the month.

Gradually give a little more water to plants as days lengthen.

Re-seed worn areas of your lawn.

Give grass the first cut of the year with mower blades set high, if conditions are right.

Pot-on plants which have become too big for their pots.

Remove flower heads from daffodils as they fade.

Remove old dahlia tubers from storage and spray with tepid water to encourage shoot production for use as cuttings.

Most garden centres will have stocks of herbaceous perennials in the spring and in the autumn, but when you plant depends on what soil type you have in your garden, according to Tony Blake, owner of St Peter's Garden Centre, at Pear Tree Farm in Norton, near Worcester.

Damp, heavy soil is best suited to plant-ing perennials in the spring when the soil is beginning to heat up, said Mr Blake.

Autumn planting, on the other hand, was the best time for those with light soil, he added

The bottom of the planting hole must be thoroughly soaked before the plant is put in and the crown of the plant should be the same height as the surface of the soil when planted, said Mr Blake.

It's very beneficial to give perennials a general feed during March and regular feeds containing potash to encourage the flowers throughout the summer.

Another useful tip is to water using a perforated hose that allows water to seep out at the base of the plant, as many perennials tend to have large flower heads and bendy stems and when watered from the top can often break from the weight of the water.

To give gardeners a kick-start, nurseries and garden centres around the county have some great special offers for spring.

St Peter's Garden Centre has:

Any 10 primulas for an "amazing price.

A large range of 15-inch glazed ceramic pots at half price (£7.49 instead of £14.99)

Westland multi-purpose compost - 25 per cent extra free for only £3.99 (87.5 litres for the price of 70 litres).

Worcester Garden Centre on Droitwich Road, Worcester, has a tempting line-up of spring offers.

Westland chicken manure 5kg tub £4.99 plus 33 per cent extra free.

Foliage house plants approximately 80cm £4.99.

Free expanding lawn rake when you buy a 400-metre square evergreen complete lawn food for £19.99 (save £18.11 on the combined rrp).

Ready-to-use tumbleweed 750ml, £2.99 - Buy one, get one free.

Pressure-treated border roll, 15cm high and 2.5 metres long, £6.99.

Herbaceous plants in 10cm pot, £1.49 each or six for £6.99,

Mixed dahlia tubers - three in a pack for £1.99,

Laylock's Nurseries, on the Bromyard Road at Cotheridge, near Worcester, has the following special ofers:

Compost, three 75-litre bags for £10,

Many different sizes of terracotta and glazed pots, all on special offer.

Large selection of shrubs all at good prices.

Italian large pecimen, mature plants in 10-litre pots and upwards.

Membership of the Royal Horticultural Society can be very beneficial. As well as free advice, membership means free year-round access to 61 gardens around Britain, a free magazine each month, privileged entry and discounts for all RHS flower shows including the Chelsea Flower Show, and regular newsletters detailing tours, talks and demonstrations.

For details phone the RHS on 020 7821 3000 or visit www.rhs.org.uk .