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Learn how to hoe your vegetable patch effectively with advice and a practical demonstration from Monty Don. Find out about tool sharpening and how frequently to hoe your plot. all year roundMore advice on common garden tasksWeeding by hand

of organic matter. Onion seedsMulti-purpose compostPots or seed trayTrowelStringWatering can, with roseOnion hoe or circle hoeJanuary - February30 minutes, to sow the seedsSow seed in a pot or tray of seed compost. The seeds are small, but try and space them

solution to maintain their deep-blue colourHoe the soil surface between flowers and crops to remove weed seedlings

Trim hedges to keep them neat, then shred and compost the clippingsTop up compost or bark mulches around heathersHoe and hand weed bordersWater hanging baskets and patio containers regularlyPlace orders for bulbs to plant this autumnDeadhead flowers

Mow lawns then trim new edges with a half-moon edging toolDig compost into borders to improve water retention Add copper rings to pots to protect plants from slugs and snailsHoe bare areas of soil on dry days to remove weed seedlingsReplenish gravel

Cut out any plain green shoots developing on variegated shrubs and treesTreat moss and weeds in lawns with weed killer, and boost growth with a lawn feedHoe bare areas of soil to prevent weed seedlings from establishing themselvesPlant up ponds

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

Regularly remove weeds by hand or use a hoe if conditions are dryMaintain mowers and check garden machinery is in good working order and ready for the season aheadLook out for compost bargains at garden centres so you'll have all you need for spring sowing

lawnmowerWatering plantsHow to hoe effectively

Monty Don explains the benefits of hand weeding, demonstrating how to keep unwanted weeds at bay.all year round, particularly springMore advice on dealing with weedsHow to hoe effectivelyMaintaining a healthy lawnDealing with brambles