Getting ready for going away

Preparing the garden for holidays is important

- Ruth Hayes

THERE'S a lot to do before going on holiday, but in the rush to pack your suitcases and check your travel documents, don't forget to make sure your garden is in good shape before you go.

Deadheading and weeding are obvious tasks, as is mowing the lawn and making sure the pond is topped up with rainwater.

Give anything growing in the greenhouse a good feed and water and leave the door ajar and window open so plants are well ventilated and less likely to overheat.

A couple of bowls filled with water will also help reduce temperatures and raise humidity, keeping the atmosphere healthy and reducing the risk of attacks by greenhouse red spider mite.

Harvest and store any ripe crops and make sure patio containers are watered, fed and placed somewhere sheltered. You may want to take down hanging baskets to keep them undamaged, in which case stand them in a bowl of water in the greenhouse or against a sheltering wall.