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There are days nominated to celebrate apples, festivals for tomatoes and chillies, and whole weeks to inform us about bird nesting boxes, trees, allotments and composting ... and this week it's the turn of the conifer.The Association of British

A cone-bearing tree of the pine family, usually evergreen.

The easiest way to trim established conifer hedges is by using a powered hedge-trimmer to give a regular, even finish. Quick-growing conifers will need about three cuts per year during the growing season, at roughly eight week intervals.Inspect your

doubt that it could be anything other than the western conifer seed-bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis. My nephew took the photograph, above, on his mobile, and although it is blurred, there is definitely no mistaking this distinctive and fascinating insect

The secretion of gums or resins by some plants, especially fruit trees and conifers, when cut.

A seed-bearing conical fruit on conifer plants, comprising overlapping scales surrounding a central axis.

Aphid-like insects of the family Adelgidae that are found exclusively on conifers. They feed on the sap of the host tree and cause cone-like growths, which can stunt or kill twigs and, in severe infestations, disfigure ornamental trees.

Catch earwigs in upturned pots crammed with newspaper or straw on canes among dahlias, and destroy any you findPrune pyracantha and train shoots to supports Prepare soil to plant evergreen shrubs and conifers by digging it over and incorporating

Sprinkle granular fertiliser round roses, shrubs and along the base of hedgesSow sweet peas into deep potsTransplant evergreen shrubs and conifers to new sitesPlace grow-through plant supports over tall-growing perennials, like delphiniums

Knock heavy snow off shrubs and conifers to prevent its weight damaging branchesPlace rabbit guards around trees to protect barkFirm down plants lifted by frost or wind rockCover areas needed for early seed sowing with polythene or cloches to warm