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will sparkle. By February, however, I am bored of these tottering corpses that trail across the gardens like refugees from the Battle of Austerlitz. Most plants have lost their oomph and they are but broken shadows of their former selves.The time has come

.  As part of a research programme, sponsored by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), Lionel has spent the last few years finding the best plants that would withstand the usual trampling our lawns endure, have a lower carbon footprint, and provide a more

how there used to be so many May bugs flying against his living room window that it sounded like someone throwing handfuls of gravel at the glass.Since the grubs feed on plant roots and the adults nibble the leaves of trees, many of the older

of September (these are especially chilled seed potatoes for autumn planting). When growing potatoes in containers it's a good idea to add some granular organic feed at planting time, since most composts only contain enough nutrients for around a month. When

I've just thrown a 'plant party', as part of 'Grow Your Own' Week. This involved my friends coming to my flat and learning how to sow tomatoes and chillies. We also discussed pricking out, transplanting, feeding and watering. It reminded me of my

and often.When crops fail, it's usually for one of three reasons: because they've been smothered by weeds; they've gone short of water and feed (which makes them tough, stunted or run to seed); or been infested by pests or disease.The big mistake that many

americana. I hope I countered her worries that they would kill the plant. Although they're now very common in the London area, the rosemary, lavender and sage bushes they eat are so vigorous that I've never seen any serious defoliation. And they

and sour-tasting berries. This latter is the more famous tree, however, because (as every schoolchild knows) it provides about the only food that a silkworm will tolerate. The grubs feed on the mulberry leaves before wrapping themselves into cocoons made

of Worms outlined the contribution made by worms to the decomposition of vegetable matter (fallen leaves, dead plant material etc) and thus to the fertility of the soil.Darwin kept worms in tanks in his study and spent many hours observing their behavior

for the show (yes, I have jars of captive lily beetles that need daily feeding) and will be sharing advice on controlling them.Did I mention the glorious floral marquee with new plants looking for a new home? Giving in to temptation is something I love about