- Mulch shrub beds with a thick covering of compost, manure or bark to cut down on summer weeding and water loss.

- Sow parsley in the garden, or in pots to stand by the kitchen door.

Sow chives and spring onions too.

- If, like mine, you lawn has soggy, poor draining patches, spike it with a garden fork at six-inch intervals.

Top-dress with sand to improve the drainage.