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-grown seedlings, spring and early summer is the time to plant them out. Raising them from seed is cheaper but adds a few weeks to the process - so if this is for you, it's time to get sowing!Young brassica plantsGarden line or string and canesTrowelSeed trays

buy scaffolding planks from a builders' merchant or a timber yard.More garden DIY projectsBuild a raised bed from concreteVideo advice on making a raised bedMake a slate planterMake willow plant supportsMake a bird boxCreate a bat boxHow to fit

, the fill the trough with compost and plant the sempervivums. Finish off with a layer of gravel mulch.AdamYou can buy slates from reclamation yards, or you might be lucky to find some lying around in your own or a friend's garden.More garden DIY projects

you can use iris bulbs; if you wait until spring, simply buy pots of iris. October - November or January - FebruaryFebruary30 minutesIris 'Pauline' bulbs x12 or iris plants x3Hart's tongue fern, e.g. Asplenium scolopendrium 'Angustifolia' x3Bird's foot

overwinter. Just before the new spring growth appears give the sedge a trim. Birds will love the seedheads of the thrift so wait until late February before cutting back the foliage.AdamAll these plants thrive in very well-drained soil. Plant them in a free

Our towns and cities have become pocket-sized safari parks for insects, amphibians, small mammals and birds. In many parts of the UK, a number of amphibian species - such as frogs, toads and newts - are facing serious decline because of the loss

, which can be planted out in March or April for a quick-growing crop. Sets are available from garden centres or by mail order, and although the range of varieties is not quite as wide as from seed, it's is an easy, reliable method of growing.Whether you

.Water the plants in well. Then, over the coming months, water them regularly, particularly during dry spells. For the best results, keep the soil moist.AdamPeas prefer rich, moist soil, so prepare the ground well by forking in plenty of garden compost or well

two years for your ball shape to fully develop.Find out how to create more topiary shapes, in Alan Titchmarsh's feature in the November 2011 issue of Gardeners' World Magazine, on sale now. Alan explains how to make a range of shapes, including cones

Water adds a new dimension to any garden and our pond-in-a-pot is the ideal place to grow miniature waterlilies and other small aquatic plants. This idea is quick and easy to make and requires minimal care. The larger the container, the more