Search - Articles

Protect you plants from the cold weather and wrap half-hardy bananas, palms, cannas and ginger lilies in fleece and straw if they grow in sheltered positions. Alternatively lift the plants, pot or crate them up and bring into a frost-free greenhouse

It's always exciting when we move the stock outside from the polytunnels to 'harden off' and 'grow on', so that they're just perfect for the Chelsea Flower Show. I guess it's rather like farmers letting cows out onto the grass after a long winter

'leatherjacket'. From autumn through to summer, the larvae feed on the roots of plants, eventually growing to 5cm in length before pupating and emerging as adult flies in late-summer.Grass growth slows down and yellow, dying patches appear in the lawn. Dead

When growing edible crops, it is essential to use your plot efficiently, especially if space is limited. It’s no good growing an unusual variety with a tiny yield if it takes up space that could be used for a more productive crop – particularly

pulling them up with a strong spike. They have roots that hang on like anything and spread fast by sending out runners - in the same manner as strawberries. They thrive in the slightly compacted clay soil upon which my lawn grows. But in the orchard

out into separate pots and growing on.More on fruits and propagating from seedsGrowing tomatoes from seed, with advice from Joe Swift.Monty Don on pricking out seedlings.Saving seeds.Raising new strawberry plants.Browse a variety of plants with berries

Sometimes wildlife crosses the line between welcome resident and unwanted nuisance. Perhaps it's my own fault for providing temptation, but when you grow your own fruit there's always something tempting on offer.Blackbirds certainly have an instinct

potassium-rich liquid fertiliser to encourage flowers and fruit set.AdamYou can also make a liquid feed using the leaves of bracken, clover, groundsel, nettles, borage, chicory and strawberriesMore advice on feeding your plantsMake a nettle feed in a

guide to creating a traditional hanging basketGrow strawberries in a hanging basketCreating a herb hanging basket display

to be irresistible. Those open boxes of loose bulbs just aren't the same. They may be a bit cheaper, but pictorial packs provide something to focus on while waiting for the bulbs to bloom.Last spring I bought a wonderful new variety of lily called 'Strawberry & Cream