• Check the leaves of brassicas every few days, and pick off and destroy any cabbage white butterfly grubs.
• Propagate garden pinks using the young shoots, or pipings.
• Sow pumpkins and squashes on the vegetable plot and cover with cloches to speed up germination.
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Readers’ questions
When do I stop harvesting asparagus spears?
P Allen, Worcester
The traditional time is early to mid-June, as this allows the plants to grow fern-like leaves that help to replenish the asparagus crop for the following season. It’s also important regularly to examine the plants for yellow and black asparagus beetles (and their grubs). Remove any that you find.
My pulmonarias (lungworts) are covered in mildew. How do I rejuvenate them?
J Wright, Yarm
The simple remedy is to cut back the diseased leaves to ground level, then ensure the roots don’t dry out by surrounding the plants with a moisture-retaining mulch. A healthy batch of new leaves will soon appear.