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congested growth to improve the airflow. Also minimise the use of high-nitrogen fertilisers, as these lead to lots of soft, leafy growth, which is vulnerable to an attack. Get rid of weeds as they can spread the fungus.Spray ornamental plants

if your raspberries are short of phosphorous. In general, if you've added plenty of well-rotted compost to the soil to improve moisture retention, drainage and soil structure, you're unlikely to have too many problems.Add sulphate of ammonia for nitrogen

.So this week I'm improving my soil with home-made compost. This seems a good use of my time as I can stop instantly and pack up as soon as a passing shower turns into steady rain (I'm not a wuss really - I get wet enough at work but I get paid for those

take a bit of care and consideration; I usually plan to grow my roots in a bed that hasn't been composted for a couple of years, to ensure the soil is not too rich and nutrient-heavy for them.The ideal time for improving soil is said to be the autumn

and wind - drier conditions and improved air circulation should help control the infection without the need to resort to using a spray.

is okay cubed and roasted with cumin and a few other spices. Any further suggestions welcome!The problem improved once I started growing the coloured varieties like 'Gold Rush' and 'Jemmer', which are easily spotted among the leaves. But the truth

and an assortment of autumn leaves, added at this time of year because the leaf mould heap is overflowing. It's all put together in the recommended 20cm-or-so layers and big bits are made smaller with secateurs as we go. All text book stuff.On the plot it's all a

to them to improve the compost.I'm considering collecting all my tea bags and vegetable peelings at home to put on the heap - I could easily add a fetching little compost crock to my Christmas list! And what about all the neighbours' compostable waste

to improve drainage. I'll probably resort to raiding the kids' sandpit, and the sand used to fill in the drainage holes.I'll also soon be out protecting my emerging daffodils with twine and canes. They're starting to appear along the drive near the lawn

is heavy London clay about 30-50 cm down, and nothing like the well-drained calcareous or sandy soil indicated by the textbooks. But I know, from personal experience, that local gardens are often full of rubble, and as well as improving the drainage, much