My cottage garden would not be complete without hollyhocks, which, I am pleased to say, seem to love the dry conditions there and self seed prolifically.

You can grow these hardy perennials by planting seeds in February or April for a lovely addition to your border.

They prefer full sun in well-drained soil, but as they get to a height of 250cm they require staking which, I have to confess, I always forget and spend ages trying to winch them back up again after a heavy downfall.

Rust fungus is the curse of hollyhocks. The under and upper surfaces of the leaves are often peppered with bright yellow or orange-red rust spots which eventually effects the whole plant, with leaves starting to fall away from the base.

The quick solution? Remove infected leaves as soon as they appear. In winter, when the plant dies down, clear away infected leaves, as they will have the fungal infection.

The chemical option? Spray plants with a systemic action fungicide every two weeks from spring onwards.

Aversion to reversion

Reversion, the term used when a variegated shrub or tree produces non-variegated or pure green shoots. As these shoots contain more chlorophyll than variegated ones they are more vigorous and can eventually take over the plant.

Consequently these reverted shoots should be pruned out completely or cut back into wood containing variegated foliage.

Spring cabbages and greens

Get sowing your spring cabbages now to mature in spring. Seedlings can then be transplanted to their final position from mid-September in rows 12 inches apart and with 12 inches between plants in each row.

Spring greens are simply closely planted spring cabbages eaten before they heart up, ideal if space is limited, allow only four inches between these plants. Or you could cover all areas by planting them densely and using some for spring greens and leaving the rest for hearting up into cabbages.

Mmmm muffins

Courgettes are in abundance now, if you are rather awash with them like I am try this lovely courgette muffin recipe from the BBC Good Food, think along the lines of carrot cake and you will be converted believe me.

Click here for the recipe