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that one of the most satisfying things in gardening is a well built, well maintained compost heap, but it is a bit much when people get smug about what is really just a pile of rotting vegetation. I do not claim to be an expert but what we make ends up

than jacket. Yet wearing tatty old clothes for gardening is a relatively new phenomenon. If you look at the famous photographs of Vita Sackville-West in her high laced boots (which must have wasted at least 15 minutes of good gardening time just getting

given plants by my neighbours, which are planted wherever there's a spare bit of earth.But I do try to stick to the general plan, to ensure the nutrient levels of the soil are maintained evenly across the plot, and pests and diseases do not build up

In the 19th century the gardens at Leighton Hall, Powys were planted with newly discovered tree varieties, gleaned by fearless plant hunters from every corner of the Empire. Included in the arboretum were the Monterey cypress, from California

, rather than rushing in with secateurs snipping everywhere. Every cut serves a purpose, so consider carefully. Pruning provides an opportunity to maintain the health, vigour and flowering performance of our roses.Any old stems showing signs of dieback can

: I was told it by Kim Hurst from the Cottage Herbery at the Malvern Spring Show last year (the 2009 show, by the way, runs from 7-10 May; I hope to see you there) . Those of you sensible enough not to let mint run loose in your flower beds will have

in moisture and suppress weeds later in the season as well as provide extra nutrients and maintain a low pH. If you garden organically, the manure is especially important for feeding the plants.If it weren't for the children, I would be tempted to dig up

on the ice, or adding chemicals (particularly salt). All of these methods can cause serious damage to pond life.Adding oxygenating pond plants will help maintain oxygen levels in the pond, even under ice. Autumn is a great time to give the pond a clear out

worthwhile. A short row of raspberries just 1.2m long has produced several pickings, used to add tasty home-grown vitamins to my morning bowl of cereal. Blackberries are now taking over, and I'd thoroughly recommend thornless varieties to give regular

crispum x5English mace, Achillea ageratum x1Orange-scented thyme, Thymus vulgaris 'Fragrantissimus' x4Terracotta pot (40 x 32cm) x1Peat-free compostBroken crockPlace a piece of broken crock over the hole in the base of the pot to maintain good drainage