Buy young plants for pots and containers as well for bedding displays. Most need to be potted up into 7.5cm (3in) pots and grown on in warm, bright conditions ready for planting out at the end of May. Be sure to acclimatise plants to cooler outdoor conditions before planting out.

Seedlings and plug plant packages that you have delivered during April and May should always be opened immediately, as any delay can be detrimental to the plants, causing leaves to yellow and rot to set in. Make arrangements for a friend to collect and open any that arrive while you are away.

Where vine weevil have been troublesome pests, perhaps in pots in the greenhouse, consider drenching compost with a biological control nematode that will kill the grubs. Mixed into a solution and watered around susceptible plants, the nematode travels through soil moisture on its search for weevil grubs. The nematode is not active when temperatures are below 12%'C (55%'F), so apply when its cool.

While the weather continues to be unpredictable, it pays to take precautions. Keep a sheet of fleece handy, ready to use on cold nights if a ground frost is forecast. Throw it over emerging potato foliage, or fruit trees and bushes in flower. Sacking or sheets of bubble polythene can be spread over cold frames and newspaper spread over young plants on greenhouse staging at night will add a little protection.

Control slugs and snails by trapping them under tiles or grapefruit skins. Collect the slugs and dispose of them. Only use pellets sparingly.

Regularly water newly planted fruit trees, roses and shrubs.

Hoe borders once a week to prevent weed seedlings establishing.

Plant up new aquatic baskets with water lilies and other pond plants