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This week is the Chelsea Flower Show 2008 and by the time you read this the medals will have been awarded. All over the showground will be the scattered remnants of exhausted gardeners and nurserymen. Some will be elated, some tearful, some angry

What a great chance to check out what other plotters are doing nearby! Events will be going on all over the country as part of this annual allotments week so keep your eyes on the local press for details. Or check out the ever useful worldwide web

It's National Insect Week, so I'm obliged to mention insects at every opportunity. Organised by the Royal Entomological Society, its aim is to promote the study of insects, to encourage the wider world to understand why it is important to study them

it into growth up to eight weeks early. Top up bird baths with fresh water dailyRecycle your Christmas tree at the local council tipCheck closing dates for any seed catalogue discountsAround the gardenSquash mistletoe berries into apple tree branchesCut down old

Start to spray roses that are vulnerable to disease FlowersPlant herbs in decorative potsPull up soil around the developing shoots of early potatoesStart sowing salad crops at regular 3-4 week intervalsFruit & vegPlant up containers with summer beddingSow French

Raise crops in a grow bag Anyone can grow tomatoes, even if you only have a balcony! All you need is space for a bag of compost, plus a few tomato seedlings, and the promised harvest is a matter of weeks away. There's a huge range of young tomato

Raise new mint plantsIf you're already dreaming about sipping a cool mint julep in your summer garden, now's the time to get your mint plants ready for the job. Take cuttings from established mint plants to keep the drinks tray supplied all summer.Plan your seed-sowing year Trim ...

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 to early summer for best results. ...

Shape box topiary Clipped box topiary adds style, elegance and fun to the garden. It can be grown as individual trained geometric shapes and standard specimens in borders or large pots, as well as dwarf hedges or edgings. To keep topiary in shape, the young shoots need clipping t...

Divide irisesWere your irises lacklustre this year with precious few blooms? If so, give them a boost by lifting and dividing clumps and next year they'll flower their socks off.Keep lawn edges trimmed Look out for cabbage white butterfly eggs Remove blanket weed from pondsAround...