Gardening: Jobs for the weekend | Brian Kidd

• Ensure all types of cabbages and wallflower seedlings are dusted with ant killer dust to prevent flea beetle damage. This pest goes unnoticed until the seedlings look as if they have been scorched.

• Ensure Brussels sprouts are kept moist. Water each plant but try to avoid watering the soil between plants, this reduces weeds.

• Sow seeds of parsley to have plenty all winter.

• On the allotment sow seeds of Ambassador peas. This variety is mildew-resistant and will be ready to eat in 12 weeks.

• Thin out carrots and remove weeds. Draw up soil around the tops of the carrots. Water afterwards and cover the crop with insect barrier netting to prevent carrot root fly damage. There is a natural predator which kills carrot root fly. Have a look at Nymasis on your computer.

• Consider setting up a special area for composting leaves. Leaf mould is the best alternative for peat. Lots of gardeners prefer it. Leaves turn into leaf mould if they are stored in large, plastic, former compost bags. Thanks to the moisture retention, leaves turn into leaf mould in just one year.

• Mow the grass in a different direction each time it has to be cut. This reduces weed growth and stops grass seed stalks bending over.

• Don’t forget to put water out for the birds – thank you.