Don’t leave the garden without mulching it and asking your neighbours or family to water especially on days of extreme heat.  

Be sure to leave adequate hoses, sprinklers and timers to make their job easier.

Apart from fruit fly attack which needs to be controlled by using traps, there is an unusually high incidence of bud worm this time of year.  

This pest is generally found in roses – it is laid as the flower is forming and can be treated by spraying with Insect and Mite Killer.  

Unfortunately bud worm is also presenting in summer fruits and tomatoes and once the fruit has set there is little that can be done.

Stink bugs or bronze orange beetles are already setting up house in citrus trees and yes, they will damage the trees so they should be sprayed with Malathon and white oil which will adhere to their backs.

A follow-up spray will be needed in ten days.

Keep an eye on your lawns during December – don’t mow too low and water deeply every three or four days.  

It is early for army grub, but be prepared as crickets and black beetles often precede the grub’s attack.  

Look for a product that will eliminate all three pests, taking note whichever chemical you used last year, should be alternated with something different.

Now to Christmas – actual planting for colour should have been completed weeks ago.  If you missed the boat, quickly plant some advanced petunias or other potted colour, apply Flourish and if bedded in the garden, wait a week and lightly apply cow manure.

Living trees are popular for Christmas this year – don’t display it where it won’t get fresh air and have a saucer under as it will require water.  The secret to preserving your tree is to slowly ease it back into the sun when its job is done, give it a really good drink and fertilise with Flourish to give it a boost.