Lavender is one plant that has retained its popularity, with new varieties being developed most seasons.

The basic varieties, from which the newer varieties have been bred are: lavender dentata (French lavender), lavandula angustifolia (English lavender) and Spanish lavender. (Lavender stoechas). Despite their common names, lavenders originate from a variety of climates ranging from the Canary Islands, through Europe and across northern and eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia to southeast India.

They are members of the mint family, Lamiaceae. Lavender plants are cultivated extensively in temperate climates as ornamental plants, but they are also grown commercially for the extraction of essential oils.

Lavender plants need full sun, excellent drainage and an alkaline soil for optimum performance. Garden lime may be added to the soil if the soil's pH needs to be raised. Good drainage can be provided by building up the garden beds.

It would be beneficial to take note of plants that are growing well in local gardens and attempting to replicate the growing conditions of position and soil. This will also give an indication of the varieties that perform well in a particular area.

Varieties of lavandula angustifolia are best suited to temperate climates. Flowers can be obtained in the familiar purple colour, as well as pink and white flowering varieties. 'Hidcote' has silver grey leaves with masses of violet flowers. 'Alba' produces white flowers and 'Rosea" is a dwarf variety with pale pink flowers.

A visit now to a local nursery or garden centre will allow the gardener to see the different varieties currently in flower.

As the weather, and, subsequently the soil, begins to warm, areas of lawn will start to produce new growth.

However, with the new growth often comes a variety of problems.

One of the common problems is the appearance of bare patches in the lawn.

The most common reason for this happening is the application of too much fertiliser. Gardeners will encourage lawns to produce rich, new, strong growth that will provide a good base for the lawns to survive during the hot summer months. However, an over-application of fertilisers, including organic fertilisers, will result in an excess of nitrogen being applied to the lawn, burning the roots and stems of the grasses.

The use of a purpose-built spreader will ensure an even and appropriate coverage.

Random application of the fertiliser from a container will probably result in an uneven spread. However, applying half the fertiliser in one direction and then applying the remaining half in the opposite direction will result in a more even spread..

As lawns produce their new growth, a variety of weeds will often appear. These will generally be broad-leaf weeds such as dandelions, marshmallows, cat's ear, plantain, dock and chickweed.

Lawns that have been well fertilised will reduce the likelihood of weeds being able to take root as there will be fewer spaces between the grass plants.

The broad-leaf weeds can be removed by hand, using a sharp digging tool to ensure the whole root system is removed from the soil.

A number of "organic" control methods are preferred by some gardeners. In general, it may be necessary for repeated applications before control is obtained.

These organic control methods include:

Adding a mixture of boiling water and vinegar which can be applied directly to the individual plants.

A cup of salt dissolved in two litres of vinegar can also be applied.

Trials of sprinkling white sugar crystals over areas of broad-leaf weeds have indicated that the sugar reduces the nitrates, which result in flourishing weeds, in the soil, in effect starving the weeds.

However, larger areas may require the application of a selective herbicide that has been specifically developed to target broad-leaf weeds.

Grass and weeds often appear in spaces between pavers, along fence lines and around the edges of garden beds.

It is important to destroy or remove the weeds before they set seed, otherwise the problem will be increased.

Hand removal of the weeds is possible, although, as mentioned previously, it is essential that the whole plant system, including the roots is removed. The root system is usually a tap root, extending deeper into the soil.

The application of different liquid mixtures can also be applied to weeds in these areas.

Dahlias are generally easy plants to grow and, once established, will give many years of flowering beauty. They can be grown from two sources; seeds and tubers.

Seeds of dwarf-growing varieties are available and should be sown now. They can be placed into seed trays and then transplanted into the garden when they reach a suitable size or the seeds can be sown direct into the selected position in the garden. Plants will flower right through the warmer months. As the weather then cools they will die down for the winter and re-emerge the following spring.

Larger growing varieties are grown from fleshy tubers that are also planted out in spring. Because they produce large plants, some form of support, generally a stake, will be required.

This should be placed next to the tuber at planting time in order to avoid damage to the tuber.

Bulbs that have finished flowering should receive a food and general fertiliser, to feed the bulbs, and then allow the flowers to die off completely.

Trim camellia plants to maintain a manageable shape by cutting the ends of the bright, new shoots, encouraging more bushy growth to be produced.

Garlic that has yellowing leaves and softening stalks is ready for harvest.

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