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in with soft string at 10cm - 15cm intervals up the stems.For twining climbers such as cobaea, sweet peas and runner beans, tall tripods made from sticks or bamboo canes provide an ideal framework for their vigorous growth. Where necessary, their shoots can

wheelbarrow so you can quickly work your way through a pile of compost directly from the heap.8m of 25mm x 50mm treated timberWood stainWire mesh sheet with 1cm holes12mm x 40mm wood screwsTape measureSawSandpaperPliersScrewdriverall year round2 hours

Monty DonGrowing runner beansHow to plant brassicas

, thus exposing the bugs to predators. But they're not all bad, as some capsid bugs feed on small pests.a wide range of plants, including chrysanthemums, dahlias, fuchsias, apples, beans and potatoesspring, summerMore common garden pestsLeaf miner fly

-autumn.Treat the lawn with an insecticide containing imidacloprid from May to October.lawns, strawberries, brassicas, some ornamental plantsspring to autumnMore common garden pestsPea and bean weevilsCaterpillarsFlea beetleEarwigs

These tiny, sap-sucking pests may be only 0.5mm long but they can wreak havoc in a greenhouse or on houseplants indoors. For most of the year they are a pale green colour with two dark spots on their back; it's only in autumn and winter

as the pustules erupted from nearly every leaf.The pears too had rust - a sight I've only ever seen a handful of times (and that includes working as plant pathologist at RHS Wisley for 11 years, examining thousands of decrepit plants each year). Presumably it

.I've been cooking up batches of ratatouille to make the most of my courgettes (yes I have a had a few after the marrow madness after my holiday) and I'm gathering as many beans as I can and shoving them in the freezer. Sweet corn cobs get blanched in boiling

hat and socks were de rigueur for the appropriately attired allotmenteer. And, admittedly a week later than scheduled, the great tidy up began.As I predicted, everything had been turned to mush by the previous frosts; courgette plants, squashes, beans

to leave. The beds dedicated to growing hungry crops, such as beans and courgettes will need plenty of organic matter added, such as garden compost or well-rotted horse manure.Beds dedicated to growing root crops, such as carrots and parsnips will not have