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-and-half blend of John Innes No.3 and multi-purpose compost, to ensure a balanced potting mix.Make a hole in the centre of the compost, remove climbers from their pots and plant 15cm apart. Firm the compost around the climbers, making sure there are no air

A shady garden might seem like a challenge, but in reality there's a huge range of plants suitable for growing in dark places. This container display is made using a boldselection of plants, combining different leaf forms, colours and textures

Aquatic planting basket, 20cm diameter x2Aquatic compost or heavy loamEngineering bricks x2Prepare your container by filling in any holes in the bottom with waterproof sealant. Leave to dry, then paint the inside of the pot with waterproof paint. When that is dry

Monty Don demonstrates how to plant a fig tree by lining a hole with paving slabs to curtail the roots and stimulate fruit production.spring or autumnAdvice on growing ornamental fruit Growing citrus plants, with Monty's video adviceTraining a nectarine treeGrowing a kiwi plantHo...

Although, in some areas, dahlia tubers have survived the recent mild winters outside, it's well worth lifting and storing them. Discover how you can ensure a bumper crop of dahlias for next summer, whatever the weather.SecateursGarden fork

. Dahlia plantSticks or canesStringJune - August15 minutesJuly - SeptemberCheck dahlias each week; if they're starting to flop tie the main stem to a supporting cane or stick with garden string. Don't tie the string too loosely, but allow a little room

You can never have enough lettuce in summer, but sowing directly into the soil takes up valuable space in the garden. Keep a regular supply growing by sowing seeds in lengths of plastic guttering: short, 1m lengths are convenient and easy to handle

Plum trees can be prone to silver leaf disease if pruned in winter, so cut them back in summer to encourage the development of bushy growth, which stops them becoming too large and unmanageable. Plum treeSecateurs June - July 20 minutesUse secateurs

March - September10 minutes to sowharvest April - NovemberUse a line to mark out the row. Sowing in a straight line allows you to identify where your rocket seedlings are and which are the weed seedlings to pick off. You'll find a row 1m - 2m long is enough to get

Seed compostPlastic potsVermiculiteJanuary - April20 minutesFill your pot with seed compost, leaving a couple of centimetres below the rim. Scatter the seeds evenly over the compost and cover with vermiculite. Water well, then cover the pot with a plastic bag