After an extremely chilly January, temperatures are gradually starting to warm up which is a sure sign that .

As the , will slowly start to come back to life after a and so will the wildlife within it.

This transition into spring brings with it a wealth of tasks for , including pruning and planting, and for those with fruit and vegetables in their gardens, there is an important job to carry out this month.

But the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is warning gardeners to cover fruit and vegetable plants with netting in February to protect them from pigeons.

Pigeons feed on a wide variety of plants but are particularly partial to feasting on brassicas, such as broccoli, sprouts, cabbages and cauliflowers, and will peck at the leaves and rip off portions, often just leaving the stalks behind.

The large birds will also strip buds, leaves and fruits from blackcurrants and other fruit bushes, so it's important for gardeners to protect their crops.

The RHS says that the only "certain" way to protect fruit and vegetable plants from pigeons is by placing netting over them, or using a fruit cage, as scaring devices or repellant substances are only likely to give a temporary protection to plants.

The RHS warns: "Pigeons are often a cause of agricultural crop damage, but they can feed on plants in gardens and allotments. You may not see the pigeons feeding on plants, as they often visit in early morning. Signs they have been present include torn leaves caused by pigeons pecking and ripping off portions. In severe cases, most of the foliage is lost, leaving only the leaf stalks.

"Heavy pigeon grazing prevents brassicas and peas from growing and no crop is produced. Pigeons will also eat the fruit of cherries and currants.

"Established trees and shrubs will usually recover from pigeon damage. The only certain way of protecting vulnerable plants from pigeons is to grow them under netting or in a fruit cage.

"To avoid accidentally trapping or injuring birds and other animals, always ensure that netting is kept taut, and check regularly for holes."

It is advised that sowing fruits and vegetables starts under cover in February. The method of sowing is dependent on what you want to grow, with vegetables like carrots, parsnips and brassicas best sown outdoors, while crops like aubergines, tomatoes, melons and cucumbers prefer to be under cover all season.