With rising temperatures, growth rates will be noticeable in all areas of the garden, in tandem with higher temperatures the influence of rain showers will also have an impact on growth, which in turn, will increase the likelihood of pest and disease problems. Consideration should therefore be given to controlling excess growth, weed control and the likelihood of pest and disease problems.

Weeds are a never-ending problem and flourish in most garden soils; they are normally spread via seed dispersal on the wind or via animal coats.

Weed seeds can lie dormant for long periods before germinating, which is usually more prolific after rain, and thereafter growth can be prolific.

It is therefore important to keep the soil surface loosened on a regular basis to; knock out’ germinating weed growth as it appears and remove from the soil area before it has a chance to start regrowth if left.

It is vital to knock down weeds as soon as they are seen especially in the case of ephemerals ― quick growing, flowering and thus seed production in a very short time frame ― with an immediate dispersal of new seed creating more problems.

When dealing with weed control, make a point of controlling the weeds in the flower beds, but also the weed growth found in the areas of hard landscaping, which will rapidly disperse seed if left and allowed to flower, creating another cycle of weed production.

It should also be remembered that weeds of any size or type use the soil water and nutrients that would be better used by the garden plants for growth in times of stress.

In beds that are ‘out of the way’ from general sight and with fewer plantings, consider using a mulch to cover bare earth that will help to reduce weed growth.

With new growth comes the ever-present problem of pests and disease, which tend to prefer new soft growth in which to flourish and reproduce to the detriment of the surrounding plantings.

Especially problematic from an insect perspective are the aphids or greenfly, which relish new soft growth, hence their proliferation on the young growing tips.

Ants can usually be found where aphids are present and often create problems at the soil level.

Caterpillars can destroy soft new foliage in short time, especially on such plants as Pentas, Salvia, Lantana and young seedlings of annuals; leaf miner, slugs and snails are also problematic especially in damp areas.

Diseases are more prevalent during damp periods when foliage does not readily ‘dry out’ quickly when the foliage becomes sodden with the onset of disease organisms on foliage which can then proliferate on the soil when the damaged foliage drops to the ground.

Removal of foliage is important to reduce the problem of the soil, becoming the host for future spore development and thus a fresh introduction of infestation.

Excess growth can also be a host area for pest and disease problems as an abundance of dense growth can act as an incubator thus spreading the problem unnecessarily to neighbouring beds.

Thin out the excess growth which allows for a more free-form growth and shape of the plant as well as a more even distribution of flowering wood.

Keeping a high maintenance level in all areas of the garden will help control many of these problems, especially in and along hedgerows which are often a neglected area of the garden.

Weed growth and self-seeded plants of the hedgerow type, for example Surinam Cherry, can be a major problem, in crowding out young growth from established branches which are the future pruning sites for new development.

Alien growth allowed to grow in hedgerows will also impact new growth of the established plantings.

When using herbicides use a low volume spray with a ‘hooded’ spray head covering as much of the leaf blade to increase the kill factor.

Always read the instructions regarding dilution rates and spray on a windless day to avoid spray drift which can have an adverse effect of garden plants.

The same criteria apply to pest and disease control, read the instructions to ascertain if there are any comments on certain plants being sensitive to spray damage, to avoid unnecessary spray damage.

The subject of invasive plants is common and over time have become a problem in many gardens and landscaped areas; much of the problem stems from identification of the species and where it is a weed, that is a plant growing in the wrong place, it should be removed.

Some species are indeed invasive whilst others are simply a case of poor selection and more importantly have not been recognised as such.

• Malcolm D. Griffiths is a trained horticulturalist and fellow of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture in Britain. He is also past president of the Bermuda Horticultural Society, the Bermuda Orchid Society and the Bermuda Botanical Society