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Monty Don talks through the process of choosing a good pair of secateurs for pruning, looking at a variety of styles, to help you select a pair to suit your needs. all year roundMore practical garden projectsHow to prune your plantsMaintaining a

on the speed of growth.AdamDon't forget to pinch out the tips of hardy garden fuchsias a couple of times. This will stop the plants becoming too leggy and promote masses of blooms right through into the autumn.Caring for fuchsiasCombat whitefly on fuchsias

Agapanthus are easy to grow from seed and you may get flowering plants in as little as two years.Collect seed when the seedhead is becoming brown and the capsules are starting to burst. If the weather is turning cold you can collect seed prematurely and store the whole seedhead i...

Protect you plants from the cold weather and wrap half-hardy bananas, palms, cannas and ginger lilies in fleece and straw if they grow in sheltered positions. Alternatively lift the plants, pot or crate them up and bring into a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory to plant outdo...

, shed, greenhouse, conservatory or garage. Slimline models are available for smaller gardens.Use water-retaining crystals or gel to retain water in containers so you don't have to water them so often. Organic, seaweed-based options are available. Line

Spring bulbs look particularly impressive when planted informally in lawns. Many varieties of daffodil and crocus are perfect for growing under turf, and will multiply over the years to produce even bolder displays. For the greatest impact, use a single variety, planted in large ...

Follow Monty Don's video advice for sowing sunflower seeds in a fine tilth, for a summer display.summerMore flowers to grow from seedBluebellsExoticsCyclamenDahlias

in early spring.Hyacinth bulbsLarge terracotta potHorticultural gritLoamCompostSharp sandOctober - November30 minutesFebruary - MarchSpread a good layer of horticultural grit in the bottom of your container to help the compost drain efficiently in wet

. Sweet peas dislike root disturbance so grow them in cardboard tubes or coir pots. This will enable you to plant them out in their containers without damaging the roots.Sweet pea seedsSeed compostCardboard tubesJanuary - May20 minutesSow seeds

Salad leaves can be grown on a cut-and-come-again basis; harvesting the larger leaves by cutting them, allowing the smaller leaves to grow for a second crop. If you make successional sowings of seeds every three weeks, you will have a constant supply of salad throughout the year....