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Clean and sharpen knives and secateurs, and spray metal tools with oilPut up nesting boxes for birds in suitable trees or on buildingsMove shrubs growing in the wrong placeService petrol lawn mowersSearch through seed, bulb and nursery catalogues

Monty Don shows how to plant the herbs, peppermint and thyme in pots, with advice on watering, drainage and when to prune.springMore advice on growing herbsPicking herbsRaising new mint plantsGrowing basil from seedPlanting herbs in a window box

. This will again cause sideshoots to grow and the plants can be given a final shaping and tidy up if necessary in early autumn. Box topiary, secateurs, sheep-hand shears, large scissors or garden shearsMay - August 20 minutes for each plantUse secateurs scissors

Follow Monty Don's advice on propagating herbs by division, including how to apply different methods for dealing with fibrous and solid roots, and how to take cuttings from sage plants.springMore advice on growing herbsAdvice on growing herbsGrowing

Old stone sinks make perfect containers for alpines, but they're hard to come by. You can easily make your own concrete lookalike; all you need are two strong cardboard boxes. One should fit inside the other, leaving a gap of around 5cm. Simply make

. Choose large plants for instant impact.More advice on growing herbsHow to pick herbs effectively.Learn about medicinal herbs.Planting up a hanging basket with parsley and tomatoes.Potting up a window box with herbs.Propagating lavender and rosemary.

Surround your roses with strongly scented companion plants, such as lavender, thyme, rue and garlic chives, to help keep aphids at bay. While gardeners are attracted by their beauty, rose pests are deterred by the herbs' strong scents. March - April

Sarah Raven demonstrates the most effective method for picking tulips from the garden to ensure the best display indoors, without inhibiting next year's growth.MayMore advice on growing tulipsTreating tulip virusLayering bulbs in a pot

herbsPotting up a container with scented herbs.Planting herbs in a hanging basket.Planting up a hanging basket with vegetables and herbs.Taking lavender cuttings.Growing myrtle and campanula in a window box.

Shape box topiary Clipped box topiary adds style, elegance and fun to the garden. It can be grown as individual trained geometric shapes and standard specimens in borders or large pots, as well as dwarf hedges or edgings. To keep topiary in shape