JOBS for the week

Thin out carrot seedlings – remember to remove completely the thinnings as if left about, their scent will attract carrot fly. You can cover with horticultural mesh to keep the pests away.

Collect seed from candelabra primulas and sow fresh. Pop a few nasturtium seeds in pots for a late summer vibrant display.

Start feeding your tomatoes in grow bags with high-potash feed to encourage flowers and fruit formation.

Tie in climbing and rambling roses – the more you train them horizontally, the more this will encourage side shoots to develop and produce more flowers. Spray roses to protect against diseases.

Water containers, pots and window boxes and feed fortnightly.

Train sweet peas and start cutting flowers as they appear so you will get more.

Plan for next spring. Now’s the time to start sowing seeds of Bellis perennis, polyanthus, pansies and wallflowers so they will be in flower, when very little else is – bringing much-needed colour to the garden in late winter/early spring.

Soft fruit such as gooseberries need netting over them before the birds tuck in.