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harvested potatoes, and sorting them into bags. But my approach to ornamental crops is much more random and haphazard: I just notice what has done well and what has been disappointing.This year, the pelargoniums growing in containers near our front steps

Pelagoniums are a classic window box plant, they are used here as a focal point for a sea of lightly scented, delicate-pink nemesia. April - JuneJune - September20 minutesPink pelargoniumNemesia denticulata 'Confetti' x4Standard-sized window box

and texture, while the delicate pelargonium flowers add a splash of colour.MayMay - September30 minutesAthyrium nipponicum pictum x2 Begonia 'Escargot'Pelargonium 'Deerwood Lavender Lass' x2Drill Old metal bucket and crocksCompostWater-retaining gel

of different leaves don't immediately jump out, but offer a more gentle surprise as you come across them in the garden.May - JuneJune - August45 minutesPelargonium 'Lady Plymouth' 6cm pot x1Begonia 'Illumination White' x3Helichrysum petiolare 6cm pot x4

This rustic container filled with an orange pelargonium and a ruby red begonia is guaranteed to brighten up the gloomiest corner in your garden. Take care to keep the begonia out of the sun, or it will scorch. March - April June - September20

Stand out from the summer crowd with this luxurious, rich and velvety container display. Pack a wide terracotta bowl with deep red Regal pelargoniums and earthy pink and orange flowers to stunning effect. Keep deadheading the flowers

Plant tomatoes in large pots or growing bagsOpen all vents on warm days, or install automatic vent openers, to encourage good air flowSow tender primulas, such as Primula obconica, P. kewensis and P. sinensis, to grow on as houseplantsTake cuttings

to encourage early fruitingStart sowing seed of summer bedding and crops that need a long growing season to mature, such as pelargonium, petunia, verbena, salvia, lobelia and begonia

Monty Don demonstrates how to plant up and age a stone container to create a formal garden display.springPlanting suggestions for a formal containerDark foliage display with scabiousClassic pelargonium and nemesia containerFormal dressing

Water crops in growing bags and pots daily, adding a liquid feed once a weekIntroduce biological controls if you have discovered pests, such as whitefly and red spider mitePinch out developing sideshoots on tomato stemsTrain cucumbers and tomatoes