Keep everything coming up roses
■ Watering is the top priority as it continues to be so dry – get the hose out and keep on top of weeds which are competing with your plants for food and water.
■ You can have as much colour as you like in the garden now – plant out tender summer bedding in your containers, baskets and beds.
■ in the veg patch, you can plant out anything sown indoors and continue sowing seeds outdoors.
Pinch out tomato side shoots, tie growing peas and beans to supports, and cover fruit with netting to prevent birds tucking in to your summer treats.
■ DEADHEAD roses and feed fortnightly. Keep an eye out for aphids and remove them.
■ Bluebell leaves are yellowing now – if you want to lift, divide and spread them about, now’s the time to do so.
■ tender herbs such as basil can be planted out now in your herb garden or windowboxes.
■ thin out sowings of hardy annuals planted earlier – 10 to 20cm apart.
■ evergreen hedges can be trimmed back.
■ Protect your crops from pests – encourage black fly predators such as ladybirds by leaving a patch of nettles to grow in the garden or plant some calendula.