My hopes for cooler weather for gardeners have been dashed.

The roses look awful, the citrus leaves are still curling and lawns are still being eaten by grub and beetles.

The citrus leaf miner is virtually uncontrollable this year - still keep cutting off infected growth and applying Eco-oil.

March is an ideal time to fertilise citrus and I'm hoping this might encourage strength in the plants to resist the leaf miner.

Apply poultry manure out under the drip line to ground grown citrus, watering before and after application. Two or three weeks later, following the same procedure, feed with citrus fertiliser.

Do not fertilise container-grown citrus with citrus food - only use a slow-release fertiliser such as Bounceback or Martins Organic pellets.

Damaged lawns will need fertilising and top dressing applied lightly to dead areas.

Apply Searles Flourish for Greening or Seasol to patchy areas to stimulate quick root growth.

Follow this treatment up in a couple of weeks with an application of lime to sweeten the soil after the February rains.

Cyclamen corms saved from last year should be re-potted during March, fertilised, then begin watering.

It is a tad early to buy cyclamen. They may look beautiful but they will dislike this humid weather and drop leaves.

Before cold weather arrives re-pot any indoor plants needing a boost, feed with a slow release fertiliser and top up the surface with peat moss.

Sasanqua camellias will begin to flower soon - these hardy plants are ideal for hedging or as specimens and will bloom for a long period into the winter. Camellia japonicas may need dis-budding by the end of March - this encourages larger blooms and prevents buds browning without opening.

Spring bulbs will be available this month. Trick the hyacinths and tulips with a couple of weeks in the fridge crisper before planting. Planting should be completed by May - remember to fertilise on bedding, on emergence and when the foliage is dying down.