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wrong I was.Someone gave me a kit of wooden block templates last spring, so I set about wrapping them with strips of newspaper, and crimping over the base to make small pots. Filled with compost, I sowed peas in each pot, then grouped them together in a

thing is just how you can ignore them and they'll still flourish. Despite my heavy clay soil I've just left them in the ground, and they've grown up again every summer. If I was more conscientious I would have spread a mulch of compost over the area

, letting plants use up moisture until the compost has dried up and they die down. Then I leave the dormant tubers in their dry compost over winter, which I hope insulates them from cold.Memo to myself: Remember to start the gloriosa tubers into growth

When a letter starts "I must strongly protest at an article written by Adam Pasco…" then I do wonder what I've done wrong.Let me set the scene. You can't find much more of a bird lover than me. Just take a look at my garden, and the way I garden

as growing plants. Last year I planted some seedling rhubarb plants from an organic veg plant supplier, but seedlings were only available of the popular 'Victoria'.We expect a lot from our rhubarb, so it's important to dig plenty of rich organic compost

too, like 'Golden Streaked' or 'Red Lion'. It's a misconception that watercress only grows in running water as it grows well in large pots where their compost can be kept permanently moist. It's easy to grow just by sprinkling its fine seeds over

of newspaper in a warm, dry place they'll continue ripening, and I'll be able to shake out the seeds.The best germination comes from sowing right away, and not saving for another day. Just sprinkle seeds onto the surface of compost in a large pot and cover

similar to grey mould, but I haven't been able to verify this.Most of mine will be planted in large patio pots, but I'll keep the pots in a sheltered position once planted to avoid the compost in pots getting too cold or waterlogged. Sheltered

when they're going short of moisture on hot days by starting to droop. Secondly they need food, and I mix in a liquid feed at least once a week to top up reserves in the compost. And thirdly you must deadhead. This can be viewed as a chore

terracotta pot that was normally planted with bedding. Filled with loam-based John Innes compost my Nerium oleander took up residence in June, and was soon in flower. Now, I wouldn't describe its display as spectacular, but my shrub produced luxuriant stems