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by blackspot or rustSet up automatic watering systems for potted plants when going on holidayTop up water levels in ponds and aquatic featuresAround the gardenDeadhead flowers of lady's mantleWater camelliasBuy bulbs for autumn plantingFlowersPick plums

the gardenPlant tulip bulbs in groups to make drifts of spring colourAfter first frosts, lift and store dahlia tubers Plant evergreen shrubs and conifersFlowersPick ripe apples and pearsFinish harvesting marrows, squashes, onions and potatoesSow broad beans

in the year, to encourage them to put on growth before winter sets in. Space them at 10cm intervals in rows 20cm apart, and water well. If you don't have seedlings to plant out, you can usually buy plug plants from garden centres and mail order companies

Many aches and pains associated with gardening may be relieved using home-made herb oils, which are great for massaging into tight muscles.Comfrey ointment can be used for relieving pain from sprains, arthritis and inflammation, as well as rubbing

, sandwiching the mesh in-between.AdamYour sieve can also double as a drying tray in autumn and winter for onions, garlic, root crops and beans before you store them.More ways to improve soilCarol Klein's video guide to mulchingImproving your soil with green

of thinning the seedlings releases the carrot's scent. Plant strong-smelling crops, such as garlic, onions, shallots and leeks adjacent to the carrots. Follow a strict crop rotation plan, avoiding growing carrots on the same site in consecutive years

condition - and you'll also save yourself some pennies when it comes to the annual service.Mow lawns and trim new edgesDig compost into borders to improve water retention Add copper rings to pots to protect plants from slugs and snailsAround the garden

garden hedgesAround the gardenTake cuttings from shrubsPrune out plain green shoots from variegated trees and shrubsCut lavender for drying when in full flowerFlowersHarvest onions sown last autumn for early cropsWater celery regularly in dry weather

may want to invest in an apple rack. Apple racks can store a large quantity of fruit, and enable air to circulate between the layers, so you don't need to wrap each fruit individually.More on growing and storing onionsSummer-pruning apple trees

The warmth of spring and summer allows you to sow vegetable seeds outdoors in the soil. Here they'll quickly germinate to produce crops to enjoy this season. Try easy-to-grow salads such as radish, spring onion and salad bowl lettuce. You can also