DIARY GARDENER’S

Your weekly gardening to-do list

■ Cover fruit bushes with netting to discourage birds before the crop ripens. Use soft, heavy-duty cotton netting, if possible, to avoid trapping birds.

■ Harvest lettuce early in the morning during hot, sunny spells and put them straight in the fridge to keep them fresh and crisp. Sow a new row of lettuce seeds every two to three weeks to ensure a regular supply.

■ Keep on top of watering, especially in hot weather. Priorities include summer bedding plants, pots, the greenhouse and veg, salads and soft fruit. Use liquid feed to maintain strong growth.