Search - Articles

Every autumn I have the same dilemma: should I overwinter my chilli plants or not? I probably shouldn't bother, as they quite often die, but I always end up taking them indoors. It seems so wasteful throwing them in the compost bin.Although they

There are always a few jobs that I hate doing at this time of year. One of them is pulling out the overwintered plants that have flowered and set seed. It seems such a shame to remove these plants when they're only doing what nature intended.But I

're beautiful and unique, and as I admire them I always want to call up friends and invite them round to share one of nature's winter treats.Thankfully most of our garden plants are hardy enough to withstand frost and snow, but I live in hope that temperatures

to your garden.Banana plantSharp knife or secateursStrawRoll of rush screening or chicken wireTough string or ropeNovember1 hourUse a sharp knife or secateurs to cut away any frosted or dying lower leaves. This will prevent them from rotting when the plant

or conservatory to plant outdoors again next season. SecateursBamboo canesStringHorticultural fleece or bubble polytheneStrawChicken wireLarge flower pot or crateBark chippings mid-October - early December 20 minutes per plantProtect palms by tying in the leaves

, and overwinter tubers in cool dark conditionsPlant out spring beddingSow hardy annuals in cleared areas for early flowers next summerSow sweet peas in pots, and overwinter under coverPrune back standard roses to help prevent wind rock damaging the plants

A plant that completes its life cycle over the course of two growing seasons. The life cycle begins with germination in the spring or summer of the first season, during which stem and leaf growth occurs. The plants then overwinters, flowering

Empty your greenhouse and thoroughly clean inside, pressure washing the frame, staging and glazingCut back overwintered fuchsias, and increase frequency of watering to encourage new growthSow summer bedding plantsMonitor temperatures with a max

Learn how to check for signs of frost damage in plants, with Sarah Raven's video advice. Sarah inspects banana plants covered in horticultural fleece for winter, and plants out a banana overwintered in a greenhouse.springMore advice on growing

Last year I had a great crop of chillies. I was so pleased with them that I couldn't bear to throw the plants on the compost heap when they'd finished fruiting. So I saved my favourite two to overwinter indoors as an experiment in chilli endurance