Silver beet is generally an easy-care plant as few pests attack it. Damage from caterpillars, evidenced by holes in the leaves, can occur in warmer months. Rust, a fungal disease, may result from humid conditions.

Plants affected will have brown spots on older leaves. These should be removed and disposed of with the general garbage to avoid spreading the disease.

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Silver beet varieties include "Fordhook Giant", the most commonly planted variety, as well as "Rainbow Chard", which produces leaves similar to the main variety but with the addition of colourful stems. These can be crimson, yellow or orange and add a touch of colour to the garden. They can be planted in the ornamental section of the garden for added colour effects.

A sunny position should be selected with enough space between individual plants to allow for good air circulation. Good drainage is essential.

Sandy soils should have compost and manure added to them a couple of weeks prior to planting. Heavier soils should be loosened to break up any clods. A steady supply of food (general fertiliser) and water will help the plants to grow quickly and thus produce tender, tasty leaves.

To keep perennial plants healthy, they should be pruned well in autumn. Perennial plants are those that repeat flower each year, without having to be replanted on an annual basis. They often have woody stems that can become straggly if they are not pruned back.

The plant's stems can be cut back almost to ground level, to just above their leaves. In addition to removing older, woody stems, any diseased stems will also be removed, thus ensuring a healthy, more vigorous plant for the ensuing season.

Perennial plants that will benefit from this treatment include; agapanthus, cliveas, crinum, day lilies and Shasta daisies.

If the plant has spread and formed new plants around the original plant, it can be lifted out of the ground and divided or broken up to form new plants. These can be placed elsewhere in the garden, or shared with neighbours or friends.

Replace the original plant, adding some well-rotted compost to the soil. As weather and the soil begin to warm towards the end of winter, new shoots will appear from the plant and it will again produce its blooms later in the year.

Hoyas, or waxflowers, are often thought of as being rather exotic, and, therefore, difficult to grow sufficiently well to be able to produce their very attractive flowers.

Plants produce fleshy foliage on long stems that climb through their local environment, without becoming invasive. The foliage is mainly produced in shades of green, although variegated forms, with pale or darker yellow patches, are available. Interesting foliage shapes add an extra dimension to many varieties and can range from traditional, blade-shaped leaves, through to very elongated forms. Some varieties form heart- shaped leaves. Foliage can vary from quite miniature in size through to leaves that are several centimetres in length.

The flowers, which are slightly fragrant, come in shades of white, cream or pale and deeper pinks and often have a covering resembling sugar frosting. Most varieties flower in clusters of star-shaped blooms, with up to 40 individual blooms present.

Because hoyas repeat flower from the original flower stem this should not be removed when the flower has died.

Although the flowers of hoyas appear to be quite delicate, they are much less demanding than their appearance suggests. They generally prefer moderate warmth and some humidity, although plants can grow very successfully in colder climates, provided they are protected from frosts by a glasshouse or similar structure. The stems produce a white, sticky sap, which may be an irritant to some people.

In more temperate areas, hoyas will grow and flower well if they have been placed in an area with indirect light or dappled shade. Because of their climbing nature, a support for their tendrils is an advantage.

They adapt very well to hanging basket culture, or their pot can simply be suspended from the branch of a tree, shrub or the frame of a shade construction. Hoyas prefer to become somewhat root-bound, that is, they do not necessarily require repotting when the plant has filled its pot. An occasional spray with water, with the excess being allowed to flow through the pot, is sufficient.

Ideally, hoyas should be purchased when in flower. Hoya australis is a variety native to Australia.

Hoyas are quite easy to propagate, using two main methods. Sections of the plant can be layered, placing a stem across a pot of soil with the stem pressed into the soil. When roots have formed, the stem can be cut from the main plant. The second method involves the taking of cuttings from a parent plant. The cuttings will generally grow quite well, if placed into a pot of loose, friable loam.

In general, hoyas are disease-free, although mealy-bug can sometimes be present in thicker, curled leaves.

Check new growth on citrus trees for infestations of the female citrus leaf-miners, which only lay eggs on early flushes of new growth.

Snow and Sugarsnap peas are prolific croppers, so plants resulting from seeds sown now will be ready for harvest in around 8-10 weeks.

Sansevieria (Mother-in-laws Tongue) are very hardy, slow growing, indoor and landscape plants that require minimal maintenance and will tolerate low levels of light.