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in late-summer are pretty wide-ranging, as are shrubs, climbers and herbaceous perennials. Most fashionable annuals, exotics and tender perennial patio plants should also stay in flower until late-September, or even early October, if properly looked after

. Avoid disturbing the soil deeply as this will bring dormant seeds to the surface. Mulch around plants with 5cm layer of garden compost or composted bark mulch.Spray young plants with a contact weedkiller before they get chance to flower. freshly

with them for moisture and nutrients. My plot is certainly far from perfect - it's a constant battle of removing perennial weeds and hoeing annuals in the worst affected areas. I try to weed on a 'little and often' basis; I concentrate on the worst beds

condition - and you'll also save yourself some pennies when it comes to the annual service.Mow lawns and trim new edgesDig compost into borders to improve water retention Add copper rings to pots to protect plants from slugs and snailsAround the garden

bird baths and feedersAround the gardenClear faded growth of golden hops and annual climbersPlant bare-root roses in well-prepared soilTransplant shrubs and conifersFlowersCheck fruits in store for signs of rot or deteriorationPlant new fruit bushes

to keep wearing the same size trousers. I could fly off somewhere hot, but sadly that's not terribly practical. Instead, my cheap and easy solution is to talk about summer flowers, with the only proviso being that they can be any colour at all except white

use this technique to grow flowering perennials and biennials as well as hardy annuals to brighten up you beds and borders. Sow into weed-free soil that has been dug, forked and raked to create a fine surface structure or 'tilth'. SeedsArea of prepared

30cm (12in) or more.This aquatic perennial should be divided annually to maintain the striking green and white horizontal variegation of its foliage. When dividing only replant the most vigorous sections. Plant with 5cm (2in) of water above the crown

first because I want them to flower this year.Yesterday, the first fat-leaved seedlings of Gaura lindheimeri 'The Bride' emerged. I felt excited all day. These first seedlings are particularly precious, since gaura is one of my all-time favourite plants

the distractions of computers and mobile phones, it seems that 11-year-old young ladies still imagine themselves frolicking in a flower garden with a trug across their arm.We've already got a bed of blood-red dahlias, which provide a lot of flowers for the house