Garden centres have been kept busy as residents rush to buy daphne, azaleas, rhododendrons and hellebores to plant with the first flush of Spring.

"Now's the time to weed and feed your lawn, too," according to Cedar's Nursery owner Olivia Schaefer, who is gearing up for her busiest time of year.

Armidale Mower and Chainsaw Centre mechanic Peter McFayden said now was also a good time to service mowers.

"We've had a fair few people come to the shop for repairs to their mowers, but gardeners should also ensure their mower is serviced once every 12 months," Mr McFayden said.

While rain is forecast for Tuesday and Friday, daytime temperatures across Armidale are steadily rising, with a sunny maximum of 15 degrees forecast for the weekend.

There's also been some last-minute planting for the annual St Peters Gardens tours, which will be held in the first and second weeks in November.

This event, where tours are conducted of Armidale gardens, has been a feature in calendars for the past 26 years. Costs are $5 per garden, $35 for a weekend tour. Armidale Visitors Information Centre has more details.

Sharpen your secateurs, here's a to-do list for Armidale gardeners in the next few weeks.

- Service lawn mowers and whipper-snippers.

- Vegetables to plant for harvest in Summer include climbing beans, cabbage, lettuce, peas, silverbeet, tomatoes and zucchinis.

- Stock your garden with hellebroes, azaleas, daphne, pansies, anemone and snowdrops for quick colour.

- Feed roses with horse manure.

- Feed and weed lawns and pick out broadleaf weed.