With a spell of warm weather forecast over the coming days following several wetter months, gardeners may have noticed the weeds in their plots are "growing like mad". However, Gardeners' World presenter Carol Klein says there are some straightforward steps you can take to keep them at bay.

Carol, 80, says May and June are particularly crucial months for staying on top of weeds, especially given the recent weather conditions. "We've had a bit of rain and everything is growing like mad, plants and weeds, weeds are only plants after all," Carol said.

She went on to explain that there are several simple methods to keep weeds under control. All gardeners need to do, she says, is apply mulch to their beds - this works by depriving weeds of the light they require to thrive.

Carol notes that this mulch can be almost anything, including an everyday household item such as newspaper. She explained: "Once it's rained and you've weeded, put some mulch down.

"You can use practically anything, you can go and buy composted bark, or you can use old compost, you can even use old plant material that you have been pruning out and leave it on top, providing it hasn't got any seeds."

"Having a quick hand weed and then putting some mulch down is the best possible thing you can do."

To apply it, first water the soil before layering the paper four to eight sheets thick. Overlap the edges by 10 to 15cm so weeds can't push through. Next, thoroughly soak the newspaper so it beds firmly into the ground and remains in place should the wind pick up.

Finally, cover the newspaper with decorative mulch or compost and the job is done. This stops the paper from drying out in direct sunlight while also giving the garden a neat, polished appearance.

Alongside using mulch in her own garden, Carol also likes to plant her flowers in a strategic manner that leaves little room for weeds to establish themselves. She added: "I plant with everything close together and that is the best way of conserving moisture in the soil and keeping the weeds down, because they don't get any light."

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) notes that mulches can be either biodegradable or non-biodegradable. They assist the soil in retaining moisture while also delivering vital nutrients to the plants and flowers in your garden.

The society states that biodegradable mulches include garden compost, wood chippings, processed conifer bark, leaf mould, well-rotted manure, and straw. It recommends applying mulch to your garden in mid to late spring, before annual weeds have had the chance to germinate.

The RHS is currently hosting its prestigious Chelsea Flower Show. Among the highlights is the Bring Me Sunshine garden, which is set to become part of the Eden Project in Morecambe Bay once the show concludes.

Co-created with young adults, the garden has been designed to equip participants with the skills required to pursue careers in green industries. Drawing inspiration from the coastal landscapes of Morecambe Bay, it also features a fitting tribute to the much-loved Eric Morecambe. At the heart of the garden will be a solar-powered, shell-shaped canopy beneath which sits an outdoor classroom. The ambitious £100m development in Lancashire is set to open its doors in 2028, featuring an enormous dome, stunning new gardens and state-of-the-art educational facilities.

The Bring Me Sunshine garden will be the first element of the Eden Project Morecambe to reach completion. Manchester-born Carol, whose brother lived in the town before his passing, hopes the venture will attract visitors and create much-needed employment opportunities in the region.

She said: "Morecambe is a familiar place to me but I think this project is brilliant, I find it so inspiring because there's so many seaside resorts and all around the coast there's work that's seasonal and lots of people are unemployed and this project is like really inspiring young people in particular, especially people who get overlooked, people who haven't done particularly well at school or haven't got a job and can't find a job and I believe it will make an enormous difference to place.

"And it will make a difference in people visiting and no doubt it will be really popular, and it's going to be free to get in."