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of pots and still have some daffs, crocus and 200 mixed alliums to plant, I may invest in some aquatic baskets to plant the bulbs in. Once I've lifted the slabs I can dig a few holes and lower them into the ground. My spring bulbs will be none the wiser

and stewing apples for the freezer.Anyway, now it's mid February all of a sudden and I still haven't got those last couple of bulbs in. I'm going to plant them now though, even if it is late. I believe in the old adage 'nothing ventured, nothing gained

the coming months, I've already started planting bulbs for the 2010 crop. The ground has been forked over thoroughly, some well-rotted garden compost added and ridges made - a particularly good idea with soil as heavy as mine. I've planted bulbs of two

We've had a mixed garlic harvest so far this year - the bulbs I planted in spring did nothing and were a total waste of time. They were probably the worst I've ever grown (or, dare I admit it, the worst I've ever seen).However, the bulbs I planted

of glory.But they are stunning. Three bold outer petals unfurl with three smaller ones between, exposing the long central stigma and stamen, with flowers reaching about 10-15cm across. Colours are primary and vibrant, with stunning speckling near the centre

Most lily bulbs are sold in spring, although some, such as Lilium candidum, are sold in the autumn. This is a time when mould can thrive, so check them carefully when you buy to make sure there are no signs of it - an infected bulb can easily spread

't affected. The leaves can also be affected, with a general loss of vigour and poor flowering. Cucumber mosaic virus results in deformed plants and ruined or aborted flowers. Look out for sunken spots or ringed bulb scales on the stored bulbs. Tobacco

spots on the petals and are likely to turn mouldy and rot.Immediately destroy all infected plants, along with the soil around the roots, and don't replant any tulips in the same spot for at least three years. Check tulip bulbs carefully before planting

A fungal disease weakens the plant and can seriously reduce its flowering performance. The brown spots eventually grow together and develop grey centres. Infection is caused by air or water-borne spores entering the plant through damaged leaves. In wet weather the fungus spreads ...

Scarlet beetles (6mm - 8mm long) with black heads eat the leaves, flowers and seedpods of lilies and other members of the lily family. Don't mistake them for ladybirds. Between April and September the beetles lay eggs on the undersides of leaves. After a week they hatch into redd...