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I’ve just been outside picking strawberries. Despite the colder nights my plants are still fruiting away and I hope they’ll have enough energy left to fruit again at the right time next year.None of the fruits have been damaged by birds – perhaps

into a sunny, well-drained spot in the garden.More herb and hanging basket projectsCreate a lavender garden.Learn how to grow basil from seed.Plant peppermint and thyme plants in a container.Follow our advice on picking herbs.Pot up a traditional hanging

A hanging basket packed with strawberry plants not only looks great, but will provide you with rich pickings of fresh fruit over several weeks, and all for just a few pounds. Choose your varieties carefully and you can have fruit from June until

for planting from late autumnFinish picking beans, but leave a few pods to ripenFruit & vegSow sweet peas Continue harvesting chillies, peppers and other cropsReduce watering potted tuberous begoniasGreenhouse1 hourPlanting a small tree

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

are shredded and may be covered in brown-black droppings.Pick off the grubs and adults as soon as you see them. The adults will drop to the ground at the slightest touch, so spread newspaper under the plants to catch them. Be quick and crush them under foot

.Plants are infested with tiny, sap-feeding, scale-like insects packed around the stems and leaves.First try to remove them with your thumbnail. If there are too many, use an insecticidal soap spray. Alternatively, leave them for the birds to pick off. In a greenhouse

today, nearly 150 years later."I have known one make its way habitually through a zinc pipe into a green-house, and do much service there by picking aphides from the slender stalks of herbaceous plants, which bent into the form of an arch under even its

as soon as roots have formed.More on growing herbsSow basil seed, video advice from Joe SwiftGrowing peppermint and thyme, with Monty DonDeterring rosemary leaf beetleAdvice on picking herbs

August's plum time in my garden, with 'Victoria' a firm family favourite. Everyone loves them, especially my daughter Danielle, who strips my single fan-trained plum before even the wasps get a taste!This has led me to extend my plum picking season