Firstly though, those tired old petunias need to be removed as well as the last of the left over summer veggies, including any fly-infested tomatoes still hanging around.

Remember, it is vital to dispose of any old fruit into a plastic bag, never leave this to rot into the ground or watch out next year, the fruit fly will be so much worse.

New planting also requires composting and fertilising – apply poultry manure at this time as winter flowers and vegetables enjoy an alkaline soil.

Dig the manure into the soil, then scatter an all-purpose plant food over the surface, digging it in lightly – then wait at least one week before planting all the lovely new releases which are available.

Pansy ‘Purple Lace’ and Sweet Pea ‘Bubbles’ are now available from Oasis

Seedlings, remember sweet peas love lime but don’t reward with flowers as

early as pansies .

If you love really big pansies, Pohlmans Seedlings claim they grow the

largest pansy varieties available on the market.

These pansies come under the banner of Giant Flowering Stars of Hollywood and their title obviously applies to some of the well-known stars.

For example Pansy the Drew is a red pansy with a dark face, it has a compact habit creating a stunning massed display.

The Jessica is gold– its colour is deep and it blooms early.

There is The Kate, to me this is a real pansy.

It is light blue with darker whiskers – it also flowers early and will look wonderful planted with The Reese which is a clear white pansy.

This Hollywood series will grow in full sun or part shade, and are ideal for autumn.

I advocate three annual plantings each year as spring flowers such as primula, stock and cineraria don’t create a blaze of colour almost until spring which, of course, is some months away.

Why have a colourless garden through winter when autumn sowing will fill your beds for months when there is still time to plant for spring.