APRIL

Keep camellias, proteas, daphne and other winter bloomers well watered and weed free. Harden pumpkins on a shed roof or hot paving for a week before storing them on their sides.

Trim tatty foliage from ferns and tree ferns, and water well so they freshen up for winter. Leave autumn leaves on the ground until they lose their colour, then run the mower over them to shred them for mulch and “rake” them in the catcher.

Buy pots of Easter daisies for your desk or window sill, then plant them in the garden once they have finished blooming. Harvest persimmons, late apples, pears, medlars, quinces, crab apples, grapes and other autumn bounty.