If you're willing to brave the sun, summer can be a great time to get out and sort out the garden. Here are some tips and tricks on how to maximise growth at this time of year.

Recent rainfall and high humidity have caused increased insect activity, putting garden plants under pressure from diseases. These conditions are likely to continue, so keep an eye out for diseases and pests affecting your plants and invading your home.

Aphids, slugs, snails and the white butterfly are out actively looking for food. Pests such as aphids can cause stunted shoots, distorted leaves, wilting, honeydew and sooty mould. There are products available that penetrate the plant and making the sap lethal to sap sucking insects, as well as protect from fungal disease. 

Pests in the garden can also make their way into your home, but there are a few steps you can take to rid your home and kitchen of these intruders, such as a bait or a barrier spray.

Vegetables that love the current and expected conditions include capsicum, beans, peas, lettuces, cucumbers, gherkins, tomatoes and herbs. Check them regularly because aphids can infest them very quickly in warm weather, and prevention is better than cure.

One of the joys of summer gardens is the abundance of flowers. Fertilisers with good levels of phosphorus help promote numerous blooms. 

Are you finding mottled brown patches on your lawn? The browning could be caused by grass grub, porina caterpillar, fungal disease, nutrient or water deficiency. A lawn feed can help grow a thick, lush, green, weed-free lawn.