Cleaning stakes will avoid disease

IF you have taken most of the stakes and canes that were used during the growing season and gathered them together, I would suggest that you now give them some attention to ensure they will be ready to use again next year.

You do not want to risk carrying disease onto your plants next summer.

The simple solution is to gather them all together and place them in a large bucket of soapy water to which you have added some disinfectant.

You will probably need to repeat the process by upturning them again.

Once you have carried out this task, give them a wash and dry them and keep them tied together ready for use next year.