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and the larvae feed on the plants for about three weeks before entering the soil to pupate. Two weeks later the adults emerge and continue munching through the leaves and laying their eggs.Holes in leaves and tiny elongated eggs left by 8mm-long green beetles

, sugary substance (called honeydew) which encourages the growth of a fungus called sooty mould. Early summer is the best time to tackle the problem, when the newly hatched insects are crawling around looking for a place to feed and settle.Plants

The common or lawn daisy is able to grow in a wide range of soils, even in compacted soil that's inhospitable to other plants. Daisies may also out-compete cultivated plants and cause them to die. It can spread by forming mats of foliage

Save seedsPerennial plants are often very generous in the amount of seed which they produce. Plants such as verbascum can produce thousands of seeds each year, and you can sow them to grow more plants for your garden or share them with friends

aconitesFeed the soil by spreading compost over bedsMove plants growing in the wrong placeFlowersPrune out the oldest stems from blackcurrantsCheck for signs of rot on any stored cropsFork compost into the soil and clear away old cropsFruit & veg Wash

that can survive without regular watering in summer.Choose large pots for your plants as they won't dry out as quickly as small ones. Group pots together to make watering easier.More advice on watering and feeding plantsWatering hanging baskets

. Cut dahlias down to the next bud and remove banana and canna leaves at their base.Water these thirsty plants regularly, and give them a liquid feed once a fortnight.Transplant undercover or provide protection over winter.Growing exotic plants

Snails, like slugs, cause a great deal of damage to plants. They feed mostly at night, seeking shelter during the day from the drying effects of the sun. However, the snail's shell allows it to move more freely than a slug over dry areas

, the best results come from growing plants on a windowsill indoors or in a greenhouse. Large fruited varieties such as 'Black Beauty' should yield three to six aubergines per plant. Smaller fruited varieties like 'Fairy Tale' will produce at least 10

-release granular feed to nourish them.The young pine seedling acts as a focal point in this box, and it can be planted out into the garden afterwards. More spring container inspirationCreating a spring pot display of primulasPotting up a display of spring woodland