Tomato fruits sometimes develop a brown, tough and sunken area on the base, at the opposite end to the stalk.

This occurs as the fruits are showing their typical red colouring. This disease is known as Blossom End Rot and results in the fruits having to be removed from the plant and destroyed.

Blossom End Rot develops because of inconsistent watering, either too much or too little. However, it can also develop from an imbalance of minerals. Soils that have been over-fertilised, resulting in high levels of nitrogen and potassium, soils that are acidic, and soils deficient in calcium could all result in the development of Blossom End Rot in tomatoes.

Ensuring the soil has a more-neutral pH level, using good watering practices, applying mulches to the soil and adding calcium to the soil will develop the resistance of plants to the disease. Adding garden lime or dolomite to the soil will raise the pH levels slightly, while an application of gypsum will provide a source of calcium while maintaining the pH levels.

Plants will also benefit by the removal of older, diseased leaves and branches which will redirect growing energy to fruit production.

Many roses will have finished their first, spring flush of flowers. Some actions taken now will ensure a beautiful display of late summer and early autumn flowers. Summer pruning is more than just deadheading old flower heads, which will result in the production of shorter stems on flowers.

It is preferable to cut back the stems by about 30cm, as if picking flowers for a vase. The pruning will result in the growth of multiple new stems which will produce long-stemmed roses in six to eight weeks. If the weather is hotter the pruning should not be as hard, allowing more leaves to remain on the plant, protecting it from sun damage. A dry, dusty atmosphere around the plants may create the ideal conditions for two-spotted mite (Red Spider).

Speckled yellow leaves, that eventually fall off the plant, will indicate the presence of these pests. Spraying water under the leaves each morning for several days in a row will discourage them.

Vegetable seeds and seedlings can be planted out now to provide fresh crops in a relatively short time.

Cucumbers, beans, silver beet, zucchini and squash will all grow quickly at this time.

Lettuce plants selected should be from the varieties that have leaves removed as required, enabling other leaves to grow and replace them.

Seedlings will give quite quick results but the selection and raising of plants from actual seeds may have several advantages.

Selecting seeds will allow a much larger choice range. Additionally, plants raised from seed will often grow into stronger plants. Seedlings will sometimes have been raised under optimal conditions, creating plants that may have some difficulty in adjusting to outdoor weather conditions.

An application of a weak seaweed solution every couple of weeks will encourage strong growth and good crop production.

For gardeners who wish to try growing vegetables for the first time, planting out seeds of baby squash will give good and quick results. The plants will very soon begin to produce their young fruits, which can be baked or added to stir-fries. The youngest, newest and most tender ones can also be included in salads.

This means that the new gardener can appreciate the benefits of their efforts quite quickly.

Cucumbers produce good crops and are quick and easy to grow. They prefer full sun. Because cucumber plants grow as vines, they can either be allowed to cover an area of the garden, or, if space is more limited, then the plants can be trained over a wire structure or trellis.

A well-drained soil, with added compost and manures will ensure a good supply of food for the plants. A small amount of lime can be added to the soil. If cucumbers are to be grown as a part of a 4-bed rotation system, then they may be grown with sweet corn, pumpkins and melons.

Seeds should be sown directly into the garden bed, with the soil raised slightly above the surrounding soil.

Three or four seeds can be sown into the same area, but the plants that emerge should then be thinned to one or two of the strongest plants. Maintaining a good supply of water is important, especially in warmer weather. A fortnightly application of potash and liquid manure will ensure good even growth.

Powdery mildew, appearing on the leaves as a white dust, is the main disease affecting cucumbers. The development of powdery mildew can be delayed by watering the base of the plants, rather than their leaves.

However, should powdery mildew appear, it must be treated as it will eventually weaken and kill the plant.

Commercially produced sprays are available, although a spray of milk and water can also be applied. Wettable sulphur spray is almost totally organic.

Frequent harvesting of cucumbers will ensure a prolonged growing season.