Search - Articles

the dahlia was persona non grata in our gardens and was banished to the vegetable garden, where it was grown purely as a cut flower or for competitions. Dahlias were they garden equivalent of battery hens. Now they range happily through our borders bringing

Do you have an autumn clear-up in your garden? Do you cut down all your herbaceous stuff so that everything is tidy for the winter or do you leave everything until the new year? Most people nowadays leave it until later to give food for small birds

of autumn colour. If you can spare a moment from harvesting pumpkins, admiring dahlias and cutting things back then this is a good time to think of your last garden visits of the season. Get out there and see some leaves.The great places for autumn visits

We've just been allocated more space on the allotment, so we now have a full sized plot. As well as planting many more spuds - which will keep the 'old man' happy - we can also plant the cutting garden my daughter always wanted. Despite

when the plants are less likely to wilt, and pot them up as soon as you can, keeping them out of strong sunlight.PinksCuttings compostGardeners' knifeSecateursSmall potsJune20 minutesSnip 10cm lengths from the tops of healthy, non-flowering shoots

Taking root cuttings couldn't be easier and it's the ideal way to increase your stock of perennials, such as phlox, rhus, mint, Japanese anemones and Primula denticulata (see picture). Take cuttings now and you'll be potting up new plants in spring

to last a few months and is easily replaced if it does break.Wire hanging basket1 pack of FilmglazeDouble-sided tapeScissorsHairdryerautumn - spring10 minutesCover the hanging basket with a piece of the glazing film, attaching it to the rim with double

Create your own 'cutting patch' with Sarah Raven's video guide. Learn how, by growing cut-and-come-again annuals and biennials in a separate bed, you can prevent your borders from looking bare. springMore advice on growing flowersGrowing lupins

. Practice the basics of rooting softwood cuttings with our step-by-step advice and you'll be able to use these skills for more complex cuttings. 10cm flower potCuttings compostPerlite (optional)Sharp knifeRooting hormone liquid (optional)Polythene bag

and are inexpensive.3.9m scaffolding planks, 3.7cm thick, x 2SoilOrganic matterPliersHand sawJigsawTape measureRulerautumn - winterRemove the metal banding from the ends of the planks with pliers.Using a hand saw, cut each board in two to give one 2.3m and one 1.6m