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I've found an interesting artefact, a remnant of a time long gone. Lurking in a cupboard I discovered an old album of cigarette cards assembled by my father in 1939. For those younger readers of this illustrious blog I will explain

I've always been fascinated by algae. These simple organisms take so many forms. Some are accurate indicators of water pollution, and some, like the blue-green alga spirulina, are a brilliant source of vitamin B12. But right now they've gone too far

or greenhouse then it is well worth the effort.There is always something going on at Wisley, some sort of new development or improvement, and this time it is the continuing construction of a new rose garden designed by multi-Gold medal winner, Robert Myers

or power tools. However, pumpkins do make a very satisfactory glowing lantern.I prefer to eat pumpkins, though. I don’t like pumpkin pie, which is a sweet and sickly item with the texture of polyfilla, only just improved by the application of lots of cream

don't waste energy travelling to them.autumnall year round20 minutesPittosporum tenuifolium x1Skimmia japonica subsp. reevesiana x1 Ivy Hedera helix 'Glacier' x1Carex buchananii x1Tulipa 'Red riding Hood' x 10Square planter, roughly 45cm Round cup bird

diameter, with drainage holesCrocksEricaceous, loam-based compostPebblesMake sure there are plenty of holes in the base of your pot and add crock shards to improve drainage.Fill your pot about two-thirds full with ericaceous compost, leaving enough room

, and then only when chopped.After a year, the leaves will have only half rotted, but will break up easily when handled. They can be used for soil improvement or for mulching around shrubs, where they will continue to rot down in situ. After two years most

settle down by the Christmas tree, and while the kids enjoy the repeats on television I can get down to the serious business of writing my seed orders for 2008. And what a year it's going to be if the seed catalogues are to be believed.Many seed companies

there - the trees are blossoming like there's no tomorrow. My children and I gave my wife a small orchard for her birthday in 2000. It always looks gorgeous at this time of year, and gets better every season as the trees mature.We planted young, whippy trees - a

of flies emerges.Fruit flies (at least two Drosophila species) feature strongly, which is no surprise given the amount of apple cores, banana skins, melon shells and potato peelings we chuck in each week. Although the adult flies are only 2.5mm long