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Tomato plants will thrive on a sunny window sill or in a greenhouse, and may even be transplanted outside in the warmest months. You will need just two small pots to sow your tomato seeds; use a good quality seed compost and keep them in a bright

Replenish gravel and grit mulches around alpine plantsPut slug barrier products around the tender new shoots of hostas and perennialsDig plenty of compost into heavy clay soilsCut down marginal plants around ponds, and mulch with compost or bark

branches breaking under its weightSpread a mulch of compost over borders and around trees, shrubs and rosesClean algae and moss from paths and stepsSprinkle a top dressing of gritty compost over lawns

Clear out old tomato and cucumber cordons and add to the compost heapMove potted bulbs into the greenhouse to develop before bringing into the houseWater sparingly, aiming to keep the atmosphere as dry as possible over winterBring potted herbs under

Spread a layer of manure or compost around roses and shrubsPrepare areas for laying new lawns in spring, digging over, weeding and enriching the soilBe on the look out for slugs and snails, which will attack emerging shoots of perennials

seedsow in February, pot on in April, plant out in Junesummeran hourIpomoea, morning glory, annual climber - seeds or several pot-ready 'Purple Haze' plants48cm urn or similar sized potWillow plant supportJohn Innes No.3 compostMulti-purpose compost

Heliotropum arborescens 'Butterfly Blue' x 4Nemesia caerulea x 4French lavender, Lavandula stoechas x 440cm plastic-coated wire basketMulti-purpose compostWool basket liningSlow release fertiliserWater-retaining gelPlace a layer of wool or alternative lining in the bottom

potato bagMulti-purpose compostPotato tubers - early and second early varieties are bestJune - August20 minutesRoll down the sides of the potato sack and add a 25cm layer of compost to the bottom.Lightly press the tubers on to the surface of the compost

it with this just poking through the compost. Keep it warm and well watered, and a bulging, pointed shoot will quickly develop into a mottled stalk, topped by three leaves.The flower (or, more correctly, the spathe and spadix) will develop alongside the stem

Good quality seed compostSmall 7.5cm pots x2ClingfilmMarch - Juneten minutes to sow the seedsMay - SeptemberFill each pot with compost, water it with tap water and leave to drain. Don't use rainwater from a butt as it may contain bacteria, which can cause