JOBS for the week

You can plant summerflowering bulbs, corms and tubers, such as lilies, cannas, ranunculus and gladioli, into pots or directly into the ground.

Prune hydrangeas, removing old flower heads and cutting back to a healthy pair of buds.

Protect emerging delphiniums and hostas from slugs and snails. If you use slug pellets, consider ferric phosphate organic pellets which won’t harm other wildlife.

Place cardboard collars around brassica veg, such as cabbages and broccoli, to prevent cabbage root fly laying eggs.

In the greenhouse, sow seeds of courgette, marrow, pumpkin, aubergine, sweet pepper and sweetcorn.

Get any supporting stakes or hoops in the ground now to allow foliage to grow up and blend them into the garden.

If the ground feels warm, you could sow annual seeds such as nigella and larkspur.

Plant up hanging baskets with summer bedding, but don’t put them outside just yet.