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The rich copper colours of the verbascum, fennel, sedum and diascia plants in this pot echo the colour of the warm terracotta pot beneath. Tall copper flower spikes of the verbascum give height to the display while the wispy, feathery foliage

Sow seeds of beans, marrows courgettes and squashes, two per pot, and thin out the weakest seedling to leave the strongest plantSpray peaches and nectarines with fungicide to prevent an attack of peach leaf curl Pick rhubarb stems as they develop

's buds.Distorted and puckered peach tree leaves, which may have a bronzed or reddish colour. Flowers and fruit may fall prematurely and death of the tree may eventually result.Remove any infected leaves as soon as they are seen, together with flowers

Hand pollinate the flowers of peaches and nectarine, with a soft brushCut off hippeastrum flower heads, leaving the stalkSow summer-bedding plants in trays in a heated propagator or in the greenhousePlant dahlia tubers in trays to encourage shoots

-sown sweet peas to promote bushier growthBring pots or glasses of prepared hyacinths indoors to flowerProtect potted peach trees from winter rain and peach leaf curl by bringing under cover

Top up fuel tank of paraffin heater every eveningBring potted hyacinths and bulbs under cover to bloomMake a sowing plan for raising greenhouse crops and bedding plants, and order seeds Bring potted peaches under cover to prevent an attack of leaf

and eucomis, under coverCheck all plants for signs of pests and treat immediatelySow sweet peas in potsAvoid moving Christmas cactus during autumn while they're forming flower buds, to prevent damageMove potted peaches and nectarines under cover

immediatelySow sweet peas in pots for early flowers next summerTake cuttings of succulents such as sedumsMove potted peaches and nectarines under coverBring pots of late-flowering chrysanthemums into the greenhouseStop watering pots of achimenes, gloxinia

, with no artificial light, to promote floweringClean staging and wash capillary matting to use next summerBring potted peaches and nectarines under cover

Pinch out fuchsias Ensure bushy growth and masses of flower, by pinching out the tips of fuchsia regularly. This encourages side shoots and strengthens the growth to support the weight of summer flowers. Pinch out three or four times from spring