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Captivating containersContainers offer the gardener great versatility, and are a fantastic way to experiment with planting and design.Container planting recipesGardening with containers is something I've always enjoyed. They provide some of the most satisfying gardening experienc...

pinching out the soft shoot tips with scissors, a knife or your finger nail.Repeat the pinching 2 or 3 more times, allowing two pairs of leaves to expand fully on each of the subsequent side shoots. This may take between 10 and 20 days, depending

Once apple trees are established it's best to summer prune the spur-fruiting varieties. This will encourage the development of short flowering shoots or 'spurs' that go on to bear clusters of fruit. Summer pruning is ideal for keeping the trees in shape and involves pruning the s...

Carol Klein explains how to hand-pollinate hellebores and guides you through the process, offering practical tips and advice.springMore advice on propagating plantsCarol Klein demonstrates how to cross-pollinate daffodils.Collecting allium seeds.Dividing irises.Self-seeding plant...

Home-grown herbs will bring your cooking to life, so why not make life really easy by planting them in a window box? Position it on your kitchen windowsill, then all you have to do is lean out to snip fresh pickings of fresh, home-grown herbs whenever you want them.May - JulyJuly...

with the evergreen foliage of libertia.all year roundApril - August20 minutesCrocosmia 'Irish Dawn' x2Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldtau' x1Libertia ixioides 'Goldfinger' x1Celosia caracas x3Terracotta pot, 45cm diameterMulti-purpose compostSlow-release fertiliserPlace a

when outlined by frost.Cut back the fennel to the soil each year in late winter or early spring, otherwise it could shoot up to 1.8m tall.More ideas for summer colourGrowing summer-flowering plants to attract bees.Choosing plants for late-summer colour

to three years. Each clump should have about six leaf shoots and should be replanted about 20-30cm apart and 5cm deep in well-prepared soil.Alternatively, harvest the seeds and store them over winter in cool conditions, then sow them in spring in moist

to be most resistant to slugs. Of course, resistance does not mean immunity, but if you pick from this list, it's a satisfying way to repell slugs without extra cost, effort or chemical side effects.AquilegiasAstilbesAstrantiasBegoniasCrocosmiasEuphorbiasFernsFuchsiasGrassesHardy

the seedheads may be highly ornamental and can be left on the plants for their display, but checking them regularly to collect some of the seed once it's dry.SeedheadsSecateursPaper envelopes or paper bagsPenSeptember - October10 minutesWait for seeds to ripen