In the tropics

Cut back rampant vines such as purple wreath (Petrea volubilis) and bougainvillea (above)

Thin out crowded strelitzia clumps, using a mattock or axe if necessary to break off tough sections

Apply a liquid fertiliser to lettuce and other greens every two weeks to keep them growing well

Keep water up to lychee trees during the dry season to ensure a good crop

Top up mulch around fruit trees by adding a 10–15mm layer of straw

Check indoor plants for sap-sucking mealy bugs, and dab them with a cotton bud soaked in methylated spirits

Use a soil-wetting agent to encourage better moisture penetration in soil around established ornamental plants that need regular watering during the Dry

Trim foliage around sprinkler heads so they are able to operate freely during the dry season

Sow or plant vegies and herbs, such as tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, parsley and coriander

Move cymbidium orchids (below) into a sunny spot, and feed with a bloom-promoting orchid fertiliser