Jobs to do

■ The last of the springflowering shrubs which have finished blooming should be pruned and clipped.

■ Equally, spring-flowering perennials can be cut back.

■ Feed and weed lawns, begin a mowing regime (always remembering to trim the edges) and repair any bald or worn patches with either seed or turf.

■ In greenhouses and conservatories, aphids may be a problem. The best way to deal with them is by spraying with a proprietary systemic insecticide, but if you’re not into chemicals, there are options – soft soap sprays or even hand-picking the little blighters off the leaves and stems.

■ Trim back spreading plants such as aubrieta, alyssum (pictured) and candytuft after they’ve flowered, to encourage fresh growth and more blooms.