The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend is just around the corner. What have you got lined up? If nothing specific is planned then why not book a visit to my garden and enjoy a possible encounter with royalty along with jubilee-decorated cakes for the occasion, all served on vintage china in the garden. We’re open, by pre booking only, all four days, just call 01323 899296 to arrange. That said, the garden opens on the June 1, right through to July 31 with all visits needing to be pre-booked.

Meanwhile, in your own garden, if you have got any water features, then this weekend might be a good time to give them a spring clean. With the hint of summer on the horizon, the water will be warming up and it’s important to keep the water clear so the plants don’t get suffocated.

Blanket weed and algae should be checked and maybe check you have some oxygenating plants in there too. Check the pumps are clean and working correctly as well. It’s ideal to top up ponds with rainwater, which might be difficult as we have not had too much in recent months. As the month comes to a close and June hopefully heralds the start of summer, now is a good time to get ahead of the game and ensure your plants have the best chance of survival. Bedding plants can be planted out now and many different varieties can be found in your local garden centres. The one thing that you need to remember is that to extend their display and keep them looking great, you must regularly deadhead. Removing the faded flowers prevents seed formation and ensures the plants keep on making new flowers. Remember, later in the season to pick off old and yellowing leaves which can help prevent fungal diseases.

This weekend, National Garden Scheme has a wonderful garden to offer in Woodingdean. Skyscape at 46 Ainsworth Road opens today, May 28, and tomorrow from 1pm to 5pm, entry £5 with children free. It is a 250ft, south-facing garden with fantastic views of both the South Downs and the sea. Dogs on leads allowed too.

On Sunday find six gardens on a trail through Seaford, ranging from a cottage garden on three levels to a flint walled garden with coastal and kitchen plots. Full details can be found at wwww.ngs.org.uk

Looking good in my garden now is a wonderful rose, Tess of the D’Urbervilles, an English climber. It is very striking, bearing large, deeply cupped, bright crimson-red blooms, with a pleasing old rose fragrance. You can read more about Geoff’s garden at www.driftwoodbysea.co.uk