Watering

Generally, inside is just once a week - ferns need more water than fleshy stemmed varieties that hold moisture.

Plants grown in containers on patios and balconies will require water more than once a week.

Plants in the ground can be assisted by water retention aids and mulches, but heat and wind will demand more frequent watering.

Watch those areas that miss out on rain.

Fertilisers

Inside a slow release such as Osmocote is ideal.

Shrubs and trees are a little more complicated - if unsure, ask at your local nursery, or use a fertiliser with a neutral pH such as Bounceback or Organic X-tra.

Acid-loving plants prefer cow manure while poultry manure will stimulate alkalinity.

For flowers and vegetables use cow manure in the summer and poultry in the winter.

Pest and diseases

If you can see the pest use a contact spray such as Malathon or pyrethrum.

Otherwise, you can take samples to a nursery for the best advice on what to do.

Plants and planting

Buy hardy plants for the sun and for shade try ferns, palms, azaleas, camellias, hydrangea and fuchsias.

Spring is the obvious time to plant but it means diligence with watering, whereas autumn planting is ideal as the milder weather allows the plant time to adjust to its new home.