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Sarah Raven demonstrates the most effective method for picking tulips from the garden to ensure the best display indoors, without inhibiting next year's growth.MayMore advice on growing tulipsTreating tulip virusLayering bulbs in a pot

Fix nesting boxes for birds to suitable trees around your gardenService petrol lawn mowers and power toolsKeep indoor azaleas well-watered with rainwaterMake fat cakes and hang them among roses to encourage bluetits to feed off overwintering pests

Sow seeds indoorsGrowing from seed is a simple and economical way of raising new plants for your garden. While many plants are hardy enough to grow outdoors, they'll benefit from being sown indoors to give them a head start. Sowing indoors is also

Learn about the different techniques for protecting cannas and gingers over winter, with Chris Beardshaw's video advice on covering them in the border or lifting and storing them indoors.October-NovemberMore advice on caring for cannas and gingers

Sarah Raven demonstrates how to plant up dahlia tubers in trays indoors, to ensure a greater number of cuttings in summer.springMore advice on growing dahliasLift and store dahliasGrowing dahlias from seedTie in dahliasTaking dahlia cuttings video

Learn how to grow garlic indoors by following Chris Beardshaw's video guide. Chris shows you how to 'force' an early crop and highlights the importance of a chilling period.OctoberMore advice on growing garlicHow to grow garlicHow to harvest garlic

Learn how to prick out seedlings with Monty Don's comprehensive video advice.springMore on growing plants from seedHow to grow sweet peas from seedGrowing exotic plants from seedGrowing dahlias from seedSowing seeds indoors

Sow cyclamen and schizanthus for indoor flowersBuy scented-leaf pelargoniums, such as 'Chocolate Peppermint' and 'Lady Plymouth' Plant pots with heat-treated freesia corms to produce fragrant flowers this summerWatch out for pests, checking under leaves

watering a week to keep plants growing stronglyBe vigilant for pests like red spider mite and take action against any right awayBuy narcissus, hyacinths and lachenalias to plant for indoor displaysSow poor man's orchid (schizanthus) to produce flowering

Place poinsettias in the total dark for 14 hours a day to encourage colourful bracts to form, moving into full light for the rest of the dayWater indoor cyclamen after their summer rest to encourage new growthPlant lachenalia and veltheimia bulbsPick off the lower