Weekend work: Time to order mini-plants

What to do

Suttons, Dobies and Mr Fothergill's now send out catalogues listing young plants for gardeners who don't want to grow from seed. They come in several forms: the smallest and cheapest are mini-plants which you need to order early and grow on before planting out in May. Bigger plants are supplied later in the season, ready to plant out straightaway (though I'd always plant them up in pots and give them a chance to get their roots sorted first).

From Mr Fothergill's (mr-fothergills.co.uk), you can get gazanias 'Daybreak Tiger Mixed F1' as mini-plugs (50 for £7.95), standard plugs (30 for £8.95) or large plugs (20 for £9.95). Last order date for mini-plugs is end of March, with plants sent out from late March. Standard plugs can be ordered up to the middle of April and are despatched early April onwards. Last orders for large plugs is early May, with despatch from mid-May.

What to see

Snowdrop openings continue in Scotland with more than 50 gardens now taking part in VisitScotland's Winter White campaign. Ecclesgreig Castle (the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula), at St Cyrus, Kincardine & Deeside DD10 0DP is open tomorrow (1-4pm), £4; the garden at House of Pitmuies, Guthrie, By Forfar, Angus DD8 2SN is open every day (10am-5pm) until 17 March, £3.50; David and Stella Rankin's garden at 16 Kevock Rd, Lasswade, Midlothian EH18 1HT is open on 3 March (12-3pm), £3