JOBS TO DO THIS WEEK

■ Dry weather is the perfect time for getting any paint jobs done such as sheds, fences or furniture in need of a facelift. Is it time to try out a new colour scheme?

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Trim hedges.

■ August is a good time to sow fast- growing salad leaves and radishes that will extend your cropping season. Spring cabbages can be sown direct outdoors.

■ Watering and feeding remains top priority, especially for pots, troughs, hanging baskets and containers.

■ Plant autumn flowering bulbs. Colchicum autumnale, also known as naked ladies, is a lovely crocustype bulb that will flower on bare stems in September.

■ Look after pond life – keep water levels topped up, remove blanket weed and cut back yellow foliage on pond plants.

■ You can plant annuals in situ for spring flowering such as calendulas and forget-me-nots.