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Ever wondered what the ingredients of great compost are? Chris Beardshaw shows you what to put on your heap and what to leave off, to create black gold for your garden.all year roundMore tips on how to improve your soilBuild a compost binHow to make

.Except for gloss or colour-printed paper, all packaging can be composted. It should be scrumpled up and mixed in equally with the normal vegetable waste to allow plenty of air to get in, rather than placed in lasagne-like layers.A corner of the gardenOrganic waste

Make a compost bin to achieve the satisfaction of turning kitchen and garden waste, into rich, crumbly compost. This will make your plants and crops thrive - so keep them, and your local landfill site, happy.Spade or rake4 strong wooden pallets6

with the added grass cuttings, helps to accelerate the composting process.More on leaf mould and compostingHow to build a leaf heapFollow our video guide to making leaf mouldChoose plants for autumn colourHow to build a compost binPractical guide to making garden

When planting, make sure that the top of the compost in the pot is level with the surrounding soil surface. Take time to plant carefully so that the plants all have a good start in life. Follow our step-by-step tips for success.Pot-grown plantGarden

for good drainage. This is particularly important for permanently-planted containers in the garden. This also helps to stabilise lightweight containers.Add compost to the bottom of the container, using the plant in its existing pot as a guide to the depth

. Improving the soil with plenty of organic matter in the form of compost helps drainage and aeration on heavy soils and conserves essential moisture on light ones.SoilGarden spadeGarden forkGarden rakeOrganic matter in the form of compost or well

Create your own container display of marginal plants by following Chris Beardshaw's video advice on which compost to use and plant recommendations.summerMore advice on ponds and marginal plantsHow to maintain a healthy pond video project

in the dissolved nutrients with the water.Recycle the nutrients that you apply to your garden by composting leafy prunings, dead flowers, vegetables peelings and any other suitable material.AdamFor best results apply fertilisers when the soil is moist.Apply high

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