Search - Articles

it down even further. Try sieving compost it first.Keep your compost warm by covering it with a layer of old carpet or plastic sheeting.More about composting and soil improvementVideo guide to making compost, with Chris BeardshawImproving your soil

.More on lawn careRenovating your lawn - video project with Monty DonImproving your lawn, with MontySowing a lawn from seedLaying lawn turfBrowse a selection of grass varietiesView plants by soil type

How to plant a shrubVideo advice on planting a roseChoose the right plants for your soilHow to improve your soilFeature on soil types and soil testing

to improve, so then will the crop.Baby courgettes fail to develop. Instead of growing into a long or round shape, they quickly rot on the plant.Pollinate the early batch of flowers by hand, rather than relying on insects. Pick an open male flower (which doesn

an outbreak of spots on the leaves. The dark marks are often surrounded by a pinkish-purple ring.Promptly remove and destroy all infected leaves, both on the plant and on the ground. Don't put them on the compost heap. Also improve the growing conditions - add

for extra stabilityOpen all vents and prop doors open on warm days to improve ventilationBring large-leaved houseplants into the garden and hose them down to clean off dust. Wipe dry and apply a leaf shine for an attractive glossy finish before bringing back

Mow the lawnMow your lawn now and you'll enjoy a greener, denser and harder-wearing patch throughout the summer. Whether you want a bowling-green lawn or just a bit of grass for the kids to play on, regular mowing will improve the appearance of your

planted on their own in a rustic terracotta pot. It's a quick and easy job with stunning rewards in spring.Collect, wash and store away canes and plant supportsImprove drainage on compacted lawnsCut hedges to keep them neat, and control their size

. Not surprisingly for an RSPB initiative, most people (over 99%) wanted to improve their gardens for birds, but I was really very pleased to see that over 95% wanted to improve them for insects too.One of this month's tips (leave a fallen tree where it is or move

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