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Easter weekend in Bath was beset by bad weather. We had some dull, dreary and drizzly days to contend with, which certainly slowed momentum on the plot. The wet weekend was far more suited to sowing seeds indoors than pluckily plodding on outside

Why not try growing pulses indoors when the weather puts you off venturing outside? Mung beans and lentils are easy to sprout in jars and can be bought in most supermarkets and health shops.Mung beans, lentils or another type of sprouting bean

Monty Don shares a wealth of tips in this step-by-step guide to sowing seed indoors. Learn about the best compost mix for seedlings, how to cover freshly planted seeds and discover an ingenious method for boosting light levels during the early

and shrubs. If you're new to gardening, limit yourself to growing one or two types of annuals. Sow about 20 seeds to see how you get on. You can always sow more a week or two later.SeedsSeed compost Seed trays or potsPlant labelsPencil or waterproof pen

Once again it poured with rain at the weekend, so my heavy clay soil was too wet to be worked. Instead, I made for the greenhouse, to do a spot of cleaning.I spent a thoroughly productive couple of hours, jet washing the glass inside and out and removing algae from between the pa...

Now the chaos of Christmas is over, I can settle down to some serious shopping. In January and February I like to get all my seed and plant orders underway; it's usually the perfect weather to stay indoors, warm and cosy, contemplating the season

hidden out of sight.Heavy snow can weigh down branches, especially on evergreens and conifers, and even break or distort them if it isn't brushed away. Most of us were probably keener to stay warm indoors during the snow than venture outside to clear snow

Encourage your children's interest in gardening, by learning to grow peanut plants with Rachel de Thame's video advice.springMore plants to grow in a greenhouseTomatoesCactiOrchidsEarly strawberries

It couldn't be easier to freeze fresh herbs. All you'll need are a few ice cubetrays, chopped herbs and freshly filtered tap water. The frozen herbcubes can then be stored in the freezer until you're ready to use them.Home-grown herbs such as basil and mintIce cube traysummer-aut...

Free-draining compost or cactus compostSilver sandNewspaperSheet of glassPencil (to prick out)Seed trayall year round20 minutes to sowFill a broad terracotta pot with a moist, gritty, loam-based compost, such as John Innes. Firm down and make the surface level