THINGS TO DO IN THE VEGGIE PATCH

-Veges to plant: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, carrots, cauliflower,cucumber, lettuce, kumara, melons, mustard, onions, parsnip, peas, radish, rhubarb, shallots, silverbeet, spinach, sweetcorn, tomatoes and zucchini.

-Remember to control slugs and snails with Yates Baysol.

-Spray broad beans, brassicas and other seedlings with a broad spectrum fungicide to control leaf spot and fungal diseases.

-Side dress young plants with Kings General Garden Fertiliser or liquid feed.

-Dust cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli and other seedlings with Derris Dust to control caterpillars.

-Prepare for summer by digging in Kings Organic Compost, General Garden Fertiliser and pettetised Sheep Manure .

-Plant herbs in the garden, containers or baskets.

-Keep all seedlings areas weed free.

THINGS TO DO IN THE FLOWER GARDEN

-Plants to sow and plant: Alyssum, Arctotis, Asters, Begonia, Candytuft, Carnation, Celosia, Cosmos, Cornflower, Dianthus, Delphinium, Forget-me-not, Gazania, Impatiens, Larkspur, Linaria, Linum, Lobelia, Lupin, Marigold, Nemesia, Pansy, Petunia, Phlox,Poppies, Portulaca, Salvia, Snapdragon, Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sunflower,Sweetpeas, Sweet william Violas and Zinnias.

-Continue to control pests and diseases with combination sprays.

-Primroses, polyanthus and violas can be divided and replanted once flowering has stopped.

-Mulch all flower beds and liquid feed for strong, healthy growth.

-Gladioli corms and Dahlia tubers can be planted for summer flowering.

-Plant up pots and hangars and re-pot existing containers if necessary.

TREES AND SHRUBS

-Spray roses and other shrubs-alternate between Shield and Gild for pest control on roses prevents insects developing resistance to either.

-Fertilise roses with a specific rose food for best results.

-Prune blooms on spring flowering shrubs once they have finished.

THINGS TO DO IN THE FRUIT GARDEN

-Fruit trees require spraying at this time of the year to prevent fungal infections taking old. Use Yates Bravo or Champ DP during flower bloom.

-Feed new and existing trees with Kings Citrus Tree Fertiliser and begin watering if dry, to assist fruit development.

-Citrus trees should be sprayed with a broad-spectrum insecticide such as Yates Guardall to control black aphids, also treat with Champ DP to control fungal infection.

-Strawberries: spray regularly with Yates Bravo to prevent fungal disease.

-Plant passion fruit now and look forward to delicious summer fruit. Improve the soil with Kings Compost and use a slow release fertiliser.

-Lawn care: if you are sowing a new lawn, you will need to water it throughout summer. Existing lawns should be fertilised and treated for moss. Spray to control broadleaf weeds. Use Yates Prickleweed Killer to control Onehunga weed. Spread Yates Soil Insect Killer to control grass grubs.

TOMATO PLANTING TIME

-Where to plant: warm, sheltered, well drained position.

-Soil preparation: Kings Compost and Pelletised Sheep Manure worked deeply into the soil.

-Planting: Apply a controlled release tomato food when planting to assist rapid root development and plant establishment. When planting grafted tomatoes, ensure that the bud union is kept above soil level. Do not remove the graft-tape. For container plantings be sure to provide plenty of room as this allows for root growth and prevent soil drying out.

-Stake: tomatoes at planting time. Staking later on can damage roots.

-Laterals (side shoots that are not flowers) need to be removed from the young plant and as they appear throughout the growth season.

-Water regularly: try Debco Saturaid, an organic product that channels water down to the roots. Remember not to water the leaves as this causes fungus to spread.

-Feed fortnightly with a liquid plant food.

-Preventive spraying with a fungicide is advisable through summer. Spray early morning or late evening so leaves won't scold. Observe withholding periods on the back of spray bottles.

YATES TRUSTED PRODUCTS TO USE IN OCTOBER

-Yates Thrive Concentrate fertiliser, an economical, easy to use and fast-acting fertiliser to give your plants boost as the weather warm up.

-Yates Baysol Slug and Snail Killer. One application lasts 2-4weeks and even remains active in wet weather. Protects your flower and veggie seedlings.

-Yates Weed 'n' Feed kills broadleaf weeds in lawns, and feeds at the same time. Conveniently clips onto your hose. Only for use on lawns.