A major clean-up of the garden before you go away is a good idea if you are not to find a jungle when you come back from your holidays:

• Clear the least accessible areas of the garden
  

• Remove any weeds from the lawn and at the foot of hedges to prevent them going to seed.

• Remove all the withered flowers from the plants: rose bushes, for example, will be given a new lease of life.

• Treat fruit trees and rose bushes against parasites (apple and pear trees against scab and red mites, roses against aphids). Spray them during the cooler part of the day, preferably in the evening.

• If you do not have an automatic watering system, try to find someone who is willing to come and water while you are away: in this case, remember to leave hosepipes and watering cans where they can find them.

• If your plants are in tubs with water reservoirs, fill them up.
  The day before you go away, remember to 'bathe' houseplants in traditional pots (up to 2 hours for plants that need a lot of water).Then put them in a well-lit spot without exposing them directly to the sun's rays.