Gardening jobs for the weekend
It's a bank holiday and the weather's not looking bad (for the most part), so here are some things you can be getting on with...
Harden off half-hardy plants by leaving them outside during the day and bringing them back under cover at night before planting outdoors.
Plant summer hanging baskets, adding good-quality compost, slow-release fertilizer and water-retaining crystals.
Harden off dahlias and tender exotics.
Trim back spreading plants like aubrieta (pictured), alyssum and perennial candytuft after they’ve flowered, to encourage fresh new growth.
Lift forget-me-nots to reduce spreading.
Take cuttings of tender perennials, such as fuchsia, argyranthemum and pelargonium.
Prune out overcrowded and dead stems of early-flowering clematis after flowering.
Inspect plants for pests and diseases.