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an egg into the acorn, it alsoinjects a cocktail of chemicals that causes the acorn's growth to be interrupted. Then as the grub feeds inside it too secretes chemicals thatalter the normal development of the acorn forcing it to grow into the knopper

This week at the Chelsea Flower Show there are thousands of gardeners admiring out of season daffodil blooms in the show gardens and floral exhibits.In order to get their daffodils blooming at this time of year, growers force the bulbs to grow using

What a week we've had. It's been more like October than July and the poor old plot is looking a bit battered and bruised. I nipped there to take stock of any damage after the gale force winds last weekend, and found my brassica netting in a hedge

in the past but always worry about catching and harming wildlife unintentionally, so this year I tried making do without.Well, I've learned the hard way. Until the birds in this country learn the real meaning of sharing I'll be forced to resort to netting next

the chitting seed potatoes, seed trays, pots and propagators. It also forces me to throw things away. So, out go the weird, wonderful and unused gadgets. Out go the seed packets that I've kept for years on the assumption that I might one day sow the contents

.I'm happy we haven't experienced any harsh late frosts. These could prove the kiss of death for delicate wisteria flowers, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that May treats me kindly with mild weather. Frost is a damaging force, prematurely ruining flower

. Of course, when I took it down to the kitchen and forced it to sit on a large leaf, it refused to adopt a picturesque position.It has a delicate jaunty flutter, hopping this way, then that, through the air. According to my guides the caterpillars feed

because the birds don’t expect the strawberries to be there, or maybe there are plenty of other fruits to get their beaks around.The same can’t be said of the molluscs, which are out in force, enjoying the unusually mild and moist conditions. The slugs

Prune out old stems of elder (Sambucus)Cut back last year's buddleia stems to ground levelHard prune trees that respond to pollardingFlowersPlant onion sets in modular trays of compostRepair netting on fruit cagesContinue forcing sea kale and chicory

to cover the bulbs completely.Walk over the turf to firm it down, making sure it's level with the rest of the lawn. Then water the area generously.More on bulbsForcing narcissiLayering bulbs in a potHow to plant hyacinth bulbs in a potBrowse spring