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Rachel de Thame explains how to create space in summer borders by lifting tulip bulbs that have finished flowering, and offers tips on storing them over summer, before replanting in autumn.early summerMore on growing tulipsPlant up a pot of tulips, daffodils and crocusCreate a sp...

Whether you're barbecuing, roasting, casseroling or cooking poultry in a crock, herbs can greatly enhance the flavour. They can be chopped and mixed with salt and rubbed into or under the skin. Handfuls can also be put into the cavity of the bird. Alternatively, chop and add them...

Herbs make the perfect partners to vegetables, whether they're eaten raw, roasted, boiled, mashed or fried. Mint is delicious cooked or raw, with root vegetables, in salads or dressings and marinades. Chives, with their mild onion flavour, are very versatile and can be chopped an...

June - August20 minutesRue, Ruta graveolens 'Jackman's Blue'Miniature patio roses x2Pale green thyme, Thymus pulegioides 'Foxley'Garlic chives x3Small lavender, such as 'Munstead' x3Window boxCrocksPeat-free multi-purpose compostPlace the crocks

For a pretty mix of vegetables, herbs and flowers, pot up a hanging basket with cherry tomatoes, parsley and yellow, orange and cream-coloured black-eyed Susan.MayJuly - September40 minutesCherry tomato plant, e.g. 'Tumbling Tom'Parsley plantBlack-eyed Susan, Thunbergia alataHang...

Thanks to our warmer climate, most of us can now enjoy traditionally tropical plants in our summer gardens. Canna 'Tropicanna' is surprisingly tough for such a lush-looking plant, and can survive outdoors all year round (with a little protection during winter). Boosting the exoti...

Sweet peas are the classic annual climber and look just as lovely in pots as they do in a border. 'Spencer Mix' has large flowers and long stems, good for cutting, but 'Cupani' and 'Painted Lady' are particularly good as their short stems give good coverage of the support and the...

Foliage plays a central role in this window box, which means it looks good even before the citrus-coloured tulips and primroses burst into bloom in spring, adding a zesty splash of colour to your window ledge. September - OctoberFebruary - March20 minutesTulip bulbs x4Primrose p...

. Insects you'll attract to your garden include buff-tailed and common carder bumblebees, honeybees, hoverflies, comma, painted lady, small tortoishell, speckled wood butterflies and the angel shades, dart and brimstone moths. Some will still be found

Sown now in the greenhouse, dahlia seeds will produce young plants ready to plant outdoors in late May to flower this year. Seed companies sell a range of quick-growing bedding strains that are suitable for growing this way. You can also use this method for sowing seeds saved fro...