At this time of year lawns can take heavy punishment, and a little time spent on maintenance will pay big dividends. Any moss in the lawn can be removed with a lawn rake also pull out any perennial weeds. Then apply a lawn fertiliser, with moss and weed killer if necessary; carefully follow the directions on the box with regard to application. This will then give you a lawn to be proud of right into the autumn.

Early July is the time to plant out your late cauliflower, cabbage and brussel sprout plants. Prepare the ground well, remember that vegetable plants take a lot of feeding, so mix plenty of feed into the soil. Also remember to dust the stems with an anti cabbage root fly preparation soon after planting. This is also a good time to reapply pepper wax or whatever you might be using to keep the deer, rabbits and other big pests away too.

If you have any plants in the greenhouse, remember, they must have regular attention. Tomatoes especially must be watered on a regular basis, if not, it will cause the fruit to split. Now is also the time to pinch out the centre shoot of your tomato plants, and so concentrate the plants energy on filling out the existing tomatoes, rather than producing more growth and more flowers.

With Roses, remove all flowers that are finished, if you allow them to go to seed the plant will not be able to produce more flowers, instead using all its energy to produce seeds. Also remove any flower buds that are failing to open and rotting, these buds can harbour disease. Keep a close watch for any signs of pests so that you can move quickly and take action before the problem spreads. On roses especially, keep an eye out for aphids and mildew.

Now is the time to put stakes and supports in place for tall, herbaceous plants, like peonies and delphiniums. This will prevent them from falling over, or looking messy as they grow taller and heavy with flowers. Likewise, as climbers display new growth, be sure to position them on a support system in order to maintain control over where they grow and prevent an untidy appearance.

Your Bedding plants in July and August should be covered in flowers. To maintain this show they must be fed with a liquid feed. Please read the instructions, because overfeeding can encourage too much leaf growth, rather than flowers. Hanging baskets and tubs will need a weekly feed, as the feed in the compost will now be exhausted and being confined to a container the plant is unable gather any nutrients from the surrounding area.

August is a time when many are still on holiday, and while you are away, your plants may need some attention.  If you have a friend or neighbour who can give your plants some water and care, all the better. Failing this, wood chippings or mulch spread around the base of the plant, then soaked with water will help prevent too much moisture evaporating during a hot summer day.

Spring flowering bulbs will start to be available in your local garden centre, and if you want those unusual varieties, best get there early. Give the ground a good deep digging and try to mix some form of feed into the soil, composted farm yard manure is best but failing that a good general fertiliser will give you a wealth of flowers to be proud of in the spring.

Of course, there is plenty more activity in the summer garden than the chores listed above, but this will give you a good indication of some of the essential activities that need to be tended to.

Be sure, of course, to take some time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the joys of summer in your garden...a cherished time of year for every gardener.