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or modular trays. Once the risk of frost has passed (usually around the end of May) they will be ready to plant out. Use them to fill gaps in summer borders or grow larger quantities in rows on the allotment or veg plot. And don't forget to stagger sowings

Learn how to plant colchicums, and pick up advice on soil enrichment, drainage and corm planting depth, in Chris Bearshaw's video guide.summerMore advice on plantingHow to plant in wavesGrowing dahlias from seedBrowse a variety of crocuses

Slug bustersSlugs may have voracious appetites but they're fussy eaters too - and therein lies an answer to a slimy problem. The good news is that there are a selection of plants that slugs, and snails, will steer clear of.Slugs will avoid any

Feeling fruityI've hand-picked a few favourites that will certainly whet the appetite - they're all tried and tested for flavour and reliability.When it comes to fruit, I'm passionate about eating and growing as much as possible in its proper season

they need.Pick off dead flowerheads regularly. If you leave them in place they can start setting seed and this triggers an end to flowering, so removing them will encourage the plant to flower again.AdamWhen watering pots, occasionally add a dash of washing

down to the bulbs.Divide the snowdrop clumps by tearing them apart. This can be done when they are in leaf or even in flower. Pick off flowerheads to conserve the energy in the bulbs.Use a hand trowel to replant small clumps of six to eight bulbs. Make

Gold', which seems to produce flowers from January onwards. I also plant tulips, ideally the richer-coloured varieties, which seem to be less readily available to buy by the bunch. Daffodil bulbs are unbelievably good value, especially if you buy them a

How tastes change. Going back five years, I hardly remember ever cooking with chillies, but now I use them nearly every week. They're so easy to grow from seed, but you can buy young plants from garden centres, like the pretty 'Medusa' (pictured) I

to flower.My hellebores are out now too, and most are looking good. Unfortunately some are showing signs of hellebore leaf spot disease. The characteristic purple-black blotches are spreading from the foliage to some of the flowers. The best I can do is pick

many hours. The change from one of the loveliest perfumes I know to one of the deepest-drain-grim stenches I know, is phenomenal. But of course it's the regular picking - largely by my children - which has allowed the plants to keep producing more