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Hardwood cuttings are taken from woody perennials e.g. forsythia, cornus and willow in autumn and winter. They can take several months to produce roots, so leave them for a year before lifting and potting up or transplanting.SecateursSpadeSharp sand or gritHormone rooting powder ...

Creating unique hellebores from your favourite varieties is much easier than it sounds. If you decide to grow your own plants the only important requirements are two really good hellebores and a lot of patience. If your varieties are mediocre, or you just don't have any, treat yo...

Hyacinth bulbs are widely available and will produce a broad spectrum of colours. Whatever their shade, hyacinths look spectacular planted on their own in a rustic terracotta pot. It's a quick and easy job for autumn that will have stunning rewards in early spring.Hyacinth bulbsL...

Sarah Raven demonstrates how to use ornamental kale in borders, to bring colourful interest over winter, with information on the different varieties available.autumnMore advice on growing brassicasHow to plant brassicasMonty advice on planting summer cabbagesTackling cabbage whit...

Lilies are bursting into elegant and colourful blooms at this time of year . It's a dramatic sight, and one you can prolong by simply removing the flowers as they fade.Lily plantsSecateursJuly - August10 minutesJuly - AugustTidy up the lily flowerheads once the petals have fallen...

Rachel de Thame explains how to grow apple, pineapple and curly mint varieties in a pot, with advice on compost, planting and maintenance.springMore on growing herbsPractical advice on raising herbsVideo guide to How to grow peppermint and thyme in a containerGrow herbs from seed...

. This will help prevent large air spaces forming.More outdoor planting advicePlanting a bare-root plant - video project with Sarah RavenPlant a small treeTransplant a shrubSow seeds outdoors

Sarah Raven demonstrates how to plant a bare-root tree or shrub in a pot, before planting out in its permanent border position.October-November, February-MarchMore planting advicePlanting a bare-root rosePlanting a shrubPlanting a bare-root treePlanting a fig tree

Learn how to give frost-tender plants the best chance of surviving the winter, by following Rachel de Thame's video advice, with tips on watering and where to store plants.October-NovemberMore on protecting plants over winterHow to protect tender plants for the winterHow to prote...

Protect you plants from the cold weather and wrap half-hardy bananas, palms, cannas and ginger lilies in fleece and straw if they grow in sheltered positions. Alternatively lift the plants, pot or crate them up and bring into a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory to plant outdo...