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723Sulgrave, Nr Banbury, Oxfordshire01295 760205 www.sulgravemanor.org.ukOX17 2SDOpen 31 Mar-31 Oct, Sat-Sun & bank hols only; 1-31 Aug, Tue-Sun. Pre-booked groups & private tours always welcome (special rates apply). Times vary – phone or see website for details. Adults £7.90/ £...

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799Birr, Co Offaly00 353 57 91 20336www.birrcastle.comOpen all year, daily, 9am-6pm (10am-4pm 1 Nov-16 Mar). Adults e9, OAPs e7.50, children (5-12) e5. Single discount with card: 10%.toilets,part-disabled,plants,refreshments,picnic,shop,dogs,public-transport

The deliberate planting of trees, hedges or shrubs to provide fields or gardens with protection from strong winds.

Plant out dahlias into well-prepared soil that's been enriched with manureCut down pulmonarias to just above soil level after flowering to encourage new foliageClip box hedging and topiary to keep it neatRegularly tie tall stems of delphiniums

Sow green manure crops to fill bare soilRemove pond weedsHoe and hand weed bordersFeed plants such as roses, shrubs and hedgesPrepare soil ready for sowing a lawn or laying turf during September and OctoberSend off for mail-order bulb catalogues

perennials and bedding plantsCollect seed from any flowers you fancy propagatingTrap earwigs among dahlias with upside-down pots stuffed with straw and balanced on canesPick leaves off plants affected by rose blackspotTrim conifer hedges and evergreen hedges

you want them to form autumn hipsTrim lavender immediately after flowering to maintain its shape, but avoid cutting back too far into old woodHoe weeds regularly to prevent seedlings establishingTrim conifer hedges, evergreen hedges and topiary

Remove suckers from roses, shrubs and around the base of trees, like cornus and sorbusTrim box topiary and hedgingCut laurel hedges using secateurs so you don't damage the remaining leavesSpray mare's tail with a weedkiller such as glyphosate

Sprinkle granular fertiliser round roses, shrubs and along the base of hedgesSow sweet peas into deep potsTransplant evergreen shrubs and conifers to new sitesPlace grow-through plant supports over tall-growing perennials, like delphiniums