The bedding plant season is just around the corner. If you are new to gardening, then it is essential to know what to look for, as quality is very variable. Rarely are there any bargains amongst bedding plants.

In three or four weeks' time you may see what you think are bargain offers, but exercise caution. Most plants that are offered cheaply late in the season have been in their trays for too long and are under stress. It takes several weeks in the open ground before they fully recover.

Plants which are in full flower should be regarded with caution too. Some, such as Livingstone daisies, have a relatively short flowering period and if planted out in flower now, are likely to be exhausted by August.

This is not the case with all bedding plants that are flowering for sale. Modern developments in plant breeding have resulted in the introduction of a range of varieties that are good for what the nurseryman calls, colour sales.

These are plants which have been encouraged to develop early flowering qualities, yet continue blooming throughout the summer season. This saves the nurseryman having to describe the variety to you and enables a reasonably accurate judgement to be made.

Amongst the many plants that have benefited from the results of this research are varieties of the red bedding salvia. The old varieties that used to take until July before they started to flower freely, have been replaced by modern hybrids which are in bloom from planting time.

When buying bedding plants only choose those that are of stocky habit and short jointed. That is the distance between the leaf joints is so close that the foliage covers the plant completely.

It is useful to pick up a tray of bedding plants before buying and to hold it at eye level. If the lower leaves of the plants, with the exception of the seedling leaves, are flagging or yellow, then the plants are under stress. All foliage should be bright and fresh.

Also look carefully at the containers in which the plants are growing. It is unwise to buy either petunias or salvias which have been produced in trays. These do not transplant easily without a check and are best planted out from pots. Planting should be determined by the weather rather than the calendar. Be guided by likely night temperatures, not those of pleasant sunny days.

Few bedding plants can tolerate any frost and all are chilled by widely varying temperatures. Only really tough varieties like alyssum and antirrhiniums will stand a touch of night frost.

Once planted, bedding plants need careful attention until well established. Ensure that they do not dry out. Water thoroughly, just darkening the soil surface is not enough.

If a cold night threatens, then cover vulnerable plants with an old net curtain, newspaper or garden fleece. This is usually sufficient to protect them from a degree or so of frost.

WHAT'S NEW

Cardinal is a bright red-flowered parrot's bill or clianthus plant.

Juanita Hatton is a rich red flowered, compact-growing bougainvillea.

Garden Annie is a large-fruited but dwarf-growing peach tree for container cultivation.

Q What will happen if I cut my lawn before applying weed and feed? The instructions say that the grass should be uncut for a few days.

A The weedkiller part of the weed and feed will be less effective. It works through the foliage of the weeds and so reducing their leaf area will reduce effectiveness.

Q My cabbage seedlings are peppered with tiny holes. What is causing the problem and how can I cure it?

A Your cabbages are being attacked by flea beetles. The regular use of an insecticidal dust while the plants are small will control the pests.

Q My wallflowers are fantastic this year. Is it possible to collect the seed and to grow my own plants?

A It is quite possible to collect the seed, but the resulting plants are unlikely to be like the parents. Wallflowers are easy to raise from seed, but buy a packet of a good mixture or named variety.