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Protect tender plants for winterThe trend for growing exotic looking plants in our gardens means that some of them may need protection from the worst of the winter cold and wet. Wrap half hardy bananas, palms and tree ferns with fleece, straw

in large pots or growing them as exotic-looking crops in borders. Sweetcorn seeds or plantsModular seed trays and multi-purpose compost if raising from seed Dibber or pencil Trowellate-May - early June 50 minutes to sow and plantharvest AugustIf growing

in late-summer are pretty wide-ranging, as are shrubs, climbers and herbaceous perennials. Most fashionable annuals, exotics and tender perennial patio plants should also stay in flower until late-September, or even early October, if properly looked after

Saving seed from your garden plants is easy to do and will provide you with plenty to sow next season. Leave a few seedheads on your plants after they've finished flowering, removing the rest to conserve the plant's energy. Alternatively

Growing sunflowers from seed indoorsAdvice on growing cyclamen from seedLearn how to raise cacti from seedGrowing exotic plants from seedBrowse poppy varietiesChoose flowers by colour

slowly, keeping your basket well fed.More ideas and advice for growing exoticsFollow Sarah Raven's video advice on caring for orchids.Learn how to check banana plants for frost damage with Sarah Raven's advice.Discover how to grow a peanut plant

outside. Harden them off for a week by standing them outdoors during the day and bringing them indoors at night. They can then be planted out in their flowering positions in the garden.AdamAllow a few dahlia flowers to set seed for collection at the end

Sowing cyclamen from seed is surprisingly easy, but it's not a job for the impatient gardener: grown this way it can take a year or more before you are rewarded with beautiful blooms. To produce indoor plants you need to use seeds of tender large

Growing from seed is a simple and economical way of raising new plants for your garden. First master the techniques by sowing annuals in spring that will reward you with flowers in summer, then use these basic skills to grow perennials, trees

SchizostylisExotic, elegant, yet eminently adaptable, it's time the overlooked schizostylis took a leading role in our gardens.Schizostylis coccinea flowers from late-summer until the first frosts. It has dainty and delicate stems and flowers