This month has almost caught me 'resting on my laurels', as the garden is just beautiful, relatively bug free, and needing very little attention. I can't possibly think of dismantling it yet, but I am collecting seeds as I wander round in my relaxed state, and putting them into old envelopes with the date on them. I am trying to identify favourite colours from bought mixed packets of seeds, or those with the biggest flower heads.

I have ordered my nematodes, a preventative measure against vine weevil which has been prevalent in past years, but hasn't really appeared so far this year (fingers crossed). I have been consistently using the nematodes in March and September, whilst the soil temperature is around 45 degrees. The beetles bite around the edges of leaves, causing them to look a bit tatty. However, it is the white grubs that quietly chomp their way through the roots that do the most damage. Primroses, begonias and plants with nice fleshy roots are their choice target, but I have known them to even eat the roots of trees in pots. I will only be watering pots, as generally they don't affect garden plants in the soil. I will be using a garden hose applicator, so easy compared to doing it by watering can!

Now is a great time to plant as the soil is so warm. Fruit trees and most containerised plants will quickly establish making a strong root system before the next season starts.