The weather should now be milder and more settled (perhaps!), so you can transplant courgettes, marrows, pumpkins and squashes that have been sown inside, or if you haven’t got any, sow directly into a prepared piece of ground. Outdoor tomato plants can be put out now as well.

This month the roses come into their own and – in my opinion – every garden should have roses in it. My favourite no nonsense rose for climbing is the ‘Blush Noisette’, as it is really healthy with lovely small pale pink scented flowers that carry on from May till October and needs virtually no pruning.

I also love Rosa ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ which is smothered with the most deliciously scented pink flowers. The pink colour is a wonderful foil for bright blue and, as my door is that colour, I have a climbing ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ outside.

I would say however that it needs a boost after its first flush of flowers, so give it some more rose food in late June to keep it going. ‘Morning Glory’ (Ipomoea), which is a climbing annual, looks lovely growing through it with glorious blue flowers.

This is a good time to sort out your long-term pots in the garden. Repot into slightly larger pots (don’t put directly into a huge pot from a small one, as the plants don’t grow well). Don’t use pots that curve inwards at the top either for these long-term plantings, as they are next to impossible to remove the rootball without breaking the pot.

The very big pots are impractical to empty and redo, so with these you can scrape off 10cm or so of soil and top up with fresh soil, something like John Innes No.3. Use slow release plant food pellets to make sure the plant is being fed (refer to the instructions on the packets as to the number needed).

It is also a good idea to thin out some of the stems of plants such as delphiniums or phlox at this time. Take out about a quarter of the weakest ones at the base – this will ensure the remaining stems will be stronger.

Any newly planted shrub or perennial will need watering in the first few weeks to keep it healthy until the roots grow. Don’t spray water on every day – use a can and give the surrounding ground a good soaking once a week. If the ground is dry use a whole can for each plant. Water in the early morning or mid-evening – not in the heat of the day.

Look at your downpipes from the guttering and see if there is any way you can fit in a water butt to help conserve the water from your tap. Butts are available now that are very slim and will fit in small spaces.