NOW that the garden has started to come alive it’s good to remember that we can still experience mornings with frost.

This can affect many plants and is particularly damaging to tender new growth and blossom at this time of year.

The risks of frost damage can be reduced by taking some simple steps to protect your garden plants.

Here are a couple that might help. You can move container-grown plants to a sheltered part of the garden in cold weather and provide extra protection

by wrapping the pot in bubble wrap or cover plants with a double layer of horticultural fleece or other suitable protection when frost is forecast.

On a different note, I have been finding quite a lot of greenfly in the garden, especially on the few roses I have. 

They always seem to be a prime target for sap-sucking greenfly which hatch in the early spring.

They feast on the tender shoots and buds, robbing the plants of nutrients and exuding honeydew, which in turn attracts sooty moulds.

If left, the overall vigour of the rose will be affected and weakened flower buds may not open.

Check plants often and either pick them off or use an insecticidal spray to remove them. Despite the possibility of frost, I’ve been planting all my summer annuals this week to ensure I’m ready for early visitors.

For those that have not seen my garden, it relies heavily on the use of containers.

By using a variety

of different containers, I am able to move them around the garden as plants go over and the overall look of the garden can be maintained.

This year I have invested in a few fibre clay ones. The older I get the harder it is to move large terracotta ones.

The central steps in the garden are lined with large ones which become concealed as soon as the plants tumble over the edges!

The only problem, however, is that the more containers you have, the greater the demands on watering when the weather improves.

If you fancy a gardening trip out of Brighton, go to see Holly House in Beaconsfield Road, Chelwood Gate, RH17 7LF, which is opening for the National Garden Scheme on both Saturday and Sunday, May 13 and 14.

An acre of English garden plus a cottage garden will be on show.

Dogs on leads are allowed with home-made tea and cakes served. Admission is £4.50 with children free.

 • Learn more of Geoff’s garden at www.driftwoodbysea.co.uk