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to pesticides where possible, so I don't use slug pellets. This season I've discovered the versatility of copper in my battle with Britain's No.1 garden pest. It's been found that copper rings and tape provide an effective barrier across which slugs and snails

, but venture into the garden and you'll see another side to this menace.Get outside early on cold mornings with camera in hand and you might be lucky enough to capture images of the ephemeral ice crystal patterns and designs left by Jack Frost. They

A friend recently showed me a photograph (left) of his rotting plum tree, with woodlice crawling around the affected area. Were the woodlice a pest, and how should he get rid of them? This reminded me of a plum tree in my own family garden when I

and there were numerous opportunities to talk garden design. I had a great time chatting about pests and pathogens in the potting shed. It was amazing just how many people were happy to queue in the hot sun to talk about their problems (it got so hot that we

There's only one thing better than receiving emails, letters and phone calls from readers and that's meeting them in person. And with Gardeners' World Live starting tomorrow (Wednesday 15 June, 2011) and running until Sunday I'm looking forward

and runs right through until Sunday 14th.I've played a part in organising every show since developing the concept for this live gardening extravaganza back in 1993, and as it enters its 17th year I can honestly say visitors are in for a real treat this week

In early spring, there were a lot of discussions in the garden media over whether the harsh winter would have reduced numbers of garden pests.The slugs and snails were slow to appear after the cold, dry April. But most other critters, good and bad

If I had to describe myself, I'd say I was a nature lover. I'm forever taking the side of birds, insects, amphibians and mammals, and can argue the case for just about any creature, even pests. But at this time of year there is one exception

Do dogs and gardening mix? I'd have to say yes, despite the state of my lawn! Magic, our miniature poodle, is a great companion, offering the unconditional love only dogs can give. She's most often observed at this time of year belly-up on the lawn

and (hopefully) entertaining shows with great gardeners like Pippa Greenwood, Anne Swithinbank, Alys Fowler and Kevin Smith on far ranging topics like orchids, pest control, thrifty tips and wildlife gardening.What a mix. In one show we could be describing