Before the chill of the autumn starts to set in, the end of summer is a good time to paint radiators – when they are cold before the central heating is switched on.

Give them a good scrub first with a sugar soap solution or all-purpose cleaner, then wash down with clean water and allow to dry.

Traditional specialist radiator paints are best because they’re hat resistant, but have a limited choice of colours.

The relatively new paints that can be used on most surfaces are ideal if you want to match your radiators to your wall colour, but may not wear well long-term – white and cream tend to yellow over time because of the heat from the radiator.

Radiator paint can be tricky to apply – use a spray form for a better finish and mask off the surrounding area.

In the garden, take cuttings of shrubs and harvest aubergines and apples.