Apply Flourish to encourage the annuals to keep blooming and feed bulbs as they begin to fade - don't cut off scrappy foliage, it is important to allow this to die naturally to encourage the bulbs to increase protein storage for next season's bulb production.

Roses, this year have been quite exceptional, I'm sure they enjoyed the colder winter.

Apart from a little black spot beginning to appear they are flourishing; deadhead any spent blooms and apply Sudden Impact to give them a fresh boost.

Prevention of black spot can be achieved by a regular spraying program of bi-carb soda mixed with pest oil done fortnightly.

Once this fungal disease becomes obvious, it is time to switch to copper oxychloride that is a cure whereas pest oil is a preventative.

Once azaleas finish flowering, remove dead blooms, especially infected by petal blight (mushy brown buds).

Keep an eye on new growth that can become infected by red spider mite that will need to be treated with a systemic spray.

It isn't only the colour of spring in the garden; the heady scents of jasmine, boronia and gardenias combine to put winter behind us.

Budding gardenias can become stressed, so water regularly, fertilise with cow manure and apply chelated iron on a cool day.

Container-grown gardenias should only be fertilised with a slow release fertiliser.

Apply peat moss to the surface to maintain moisture and keep the pH acidic.

Repot houseplants during October.

Wipe hard leafed plants with a little white oil to remove dust, freshen up the potting mix and add slow release fertiliser.

My annual reminder to gardeners wanting a colourful display for Christmas is to fertilise with cow manure at least one week before planting, remembering that annuals such as petunias, marigolds and lobelia need eight weeks to flower.

Plant your Christmas display by October 30.