Be sure to protect your garden this month from August’s wild winds and rain storms. Keep delicate plants safe by propping chicken wire over early blooms and keep an eye out for fallen branches in your garden. If you get them out quickly plants will rejuvenate faster.

1 Strawberries are about to take off so this is a good time to tidy the plants, removing any dead material, and feed with a blood and bone mix. Get rid of any plants that are showing signs of disease and renew a layer of mulch like straw around the plants (remember, they aren’t called ‘strawberries’ for nothing).

2 Nasturtiums are very useful plants – the flowers are edible and the plants are also said to have natural insect-repelling qualities. They’re one of the easiest flowers to grow from seed and, because they don’t germinate readily in hot weather, it’s a good idea to sow the seeds into garden beds while it’s still cool. Conversely, though, nasturtiums don’t like frost so, in colder parts, it’s safer to wait until well into spring before sowing.

3 In warmer areas you can get tomatoes off to an early start by planting seeds into pots on a sunny indoor windowsill. Fill the pots with seed raising mix, press the seeds into the top, cover with a light scattering of mix and water well. Thin out the crowded seedlings after they’ve germinated and feed every week. Plant your seedlings outdoors in spring once the frost danger has passed.

4 Another great indoor starter are herbs grown in small pots by the window sill. The sunlight at this time of year isn't as strong so won't burn out plants as quickly. Cilantro, oregano and basil add a fresh flavour to your foods and are easy to maintain indoors.

5 Plant veges in August: rocket, cabbage, carrots, cauliflowers, silver beet, spinach and early lettuce.