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Put up shading to reflect scorching sunlight and keep temperatures downOpen all vents on warm days, but close again in the eveningOrder plug plants and seedlings by post, and pot up as soon as they arriveTake leaf cuttings from houseplants, including African violets, begonias and...

Water crops in growing bags and pots daily, adding a liquid feed once a weekIntroduce biological controls if you have discovered pests, such as whitefly and red spider mitePinch out developing sideshoots on tomato stemsTrain cucumbers and tomatoes to supportsIncrease shading and ...

Plant dahlia tubers in pots or trays, and place in a heated propagatorStart raising crops from seed, including tomatoes, chilli peppers, aubergines and cucumbersPrevent seedlings being affected by damping-off disease by watering compost with a solution of copper fungicideSow cycl...

Buy plug plants and young bedding plants to grow on for baskets, pots and bedding displaysThin out heavy fruit sets on peaches and nectarines, leaving fruits about 10cm apartSow annual climbers, such as cup-and-saucer vine (Cobaea), nasturtium and morning glory (Ipomoea)Grow an e...

Pinch out tomato sideshoots developing from the main stemFit automatic vent openers to help control air flow and fit extra low-level louvre vents if requiredTie in tomato shoots to their supports. Water daily to prevent the compost drying out, which can cause split fruits and blo...

Train cucumbers and prune back sideshootsPick off flowers on coleus to maintain their colourful leavesWater tomatoes regularly to prevent fruits from splittingTake cuttings from fuchsias, coleus, pelargoniums, marguerites and other tender perennialsHang up yellow sticky traps to ...

Plant prepared hyacinth bulbs in special hyacinth vases (available at garden centres) or in pots of bulb fibreSow parsley in modular traysWater crops in growing bags and potsOpen vents each day, but close them at night if the weather turns coldPlace poinsettias in the total dark ...

Feed tomatoes in growing bags and pots with a liquid high-potash fertiliser Plant nerines, lachenalia and veltheimia bulbs in potsTake leaf cuttings from begonias, Cape primroses and African violetsSow winter lettuces in potsPot up clumps of chives to use in winter. Cut down the ...

Take cuttings from tender perennials and bedding plants, such as verbenaSow a few pots of hardy annuals to provide early spring blooms Shade delicate plants to avoid sun scorch on hot daysDeal with vine weevil by watering pots with a solution of biological control nematodesDamp d...

A wall-mounted mini-greenhouse will protect seedlings and cuttings from cold weather without taking up too much space. You can make your own mini-greenhouse, using an old wooden wine box and an acrylic sheet. Wooden wine box1 sheet of acrylic