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magnet for bumblebees.There are a few green manures to sow now, suitable for a range of soil types:1. Grazing rye (Secale cereale) improves soil structure. Sow from August to November and dig in the following spring.2. Winter field bean (Vicia faba

taken down by worms to improve the soil. At this time of year, when perennial plants are putting on such a burst of new growth, I also make sure they don't go short of water. Adding a liquid feed a couple of times a year also helps.It has been

Soil typesYour soil type - sandy, loam or clay - determines which plant species you can grow. Knowing your soil type enables to you to choose the plants best suited to your garden. Soil type is identified the presence of clay, sand and silt

to prevent it drying out.The exotic striped spathe will form on the side of the leaf stalk and lasts about one week before beginning to fade.AdamAdd loam or John Innes to your compost to improve nutrient levels, and start feeding every week once your plants

soothes sore throats.Take one teaspoonful four to five times a day until symptoms improve. If symptoms persist after a week, consult your doctor.Large, fresh onionJar of clear honeyBowlFunnelSterilised bottleCling filmall year round20 minutesPeel, top

around the roots.Trim off a good section of the roots with a knife.Cut the root into short lengths (around 2.5cm) and push these vertically into a seed tray, of compost, thick end up.Cover the seed tray with a thin layer of grit to improve drainage

I've commented before that I don't think 'wildlife' should refer to animals only. It should also include plants, even though most wild plants are referred to as weeds when they turn up in gardens. I wonder what the owner of the garden in East

exciting varieties to grow on yourself.Potted orchidSpecialist orchid compostOrchid fertiliserall year round20 minutesStand the young orchid plants in trays in the greenhouse, well out of any direct sunlight. If the compost looks very dry, water the plants

Sharp sandKnife or secateursRooting hormone (optional)September 20 minutesSelect healthy, squat and fat shoots. Remove them from the parent plant by cutting immediately above a bud.Remove flower buds and lower leaves from the bottom half of each cutting

wrote a number of important garden books in the 1930s. The photography is not brilliant, but what struck me is that nothing much changes, they're still much the same plants grown in much the same way.Except that perhaps our slug-catching techniques have