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Rust fungus is the curse of hollyhocks. The undersides of the leaves are often peppered with bright yellow or orange-red rust spots with corresponding beige-yellow splodges on the upper surface. Eventually, it affects the whole plant, with leaves

Spores carried by water and wind spread this fungus, which leaves primula foliage peppered with holes. The initial signs are spots in a yellow-orange area, or in grey, papery tissue. When the centre falls out, holes appear. Look beneath the leaves

The fungus that causes this problem spreads rapidly in the warm, humid conditions of a greenhouse. It usually becomes apparent on the lowest tomato leaves from early or midsummer, which develop yellow blotches on the upper leaf surface. The leaves

die down to tough yellow roots in autumn, over-wintering to grow up again the following spring.Tall-growing perennial plant which spreads below ground by rhizomes or across the surface by creeping stems or stolons to form dense clumps of stinging

from chrysanthemumsPick faded or yellowing leaves from plants to prevent grey mould infectionsRaise crops in modular trays to transplant into the garden later, such as celery, celeriac, lettuce, parsley and other herbs

of agapanthus, nerines and tulbaghia to grow in pots for summer colourCheck plants regularly for signs of pestsHang yellow sticky traps among plants to catch whitefly and other flying pests

, including African violets, begonias and Cape primroseHang yellow sticky traps over plants to catch whitefly and flying pestsSow seeds of herbs, such as parsley, chives, coriander, garlic, basil, dill, fennel, mint, thyme, sage and lovage

All plants need nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous to thrive, plus various trace elements. Without nitrogen the leaves turn yellow and growth is spindly. Potassium generates good flowering and fruiting and helps ripen wood. Plants lacking potassium

already served me so well, I'm still picking tomatoes from the plants in it, together with the odd yellow (meant to be yellow, not yellow and wrinkly!) sweet pepper, and at this time of year it really is great to have some of your own more tender produce

(no matter how beautifully photographed) is just about the most horrible shrub in the world. There. I've said it.It is not just the flowers —which are a particularly unforgiving, almost violent shade of yellow — but the timing. We are awash