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Could garden plants reduce your winter heating bills? Some interesting research has been conducted at the University of Sheffield and by other organisations around the world that highlights the value of trees and plants surrounding buildings

Nothing beats the warmth of the sun after a long spell of cold weather. Until recently, rain or snow has kept me indoors, thinking despondently of all the garden jobs waiting to be done.Now that temperatures are rising, so are my spirits. When I

in half by wind and rain. In the end I had to tie each plant individually to a short cane.I'll use the same contingency plans during 2013, raising plants under cover in line with my Seed Sowing Masterplan. Do you have one? If not prepare it now, including

. Sarcococca hookeriana: I drove to Devon last week with nine of these in the back of my car. The scent was amazing and, even though the plants are now happily planted in a client’s garden, the smell is still there. Plant them close to pathways6. Chitting

Happy new year – may 2013 be better for veg growers than its predecessor. I can’t say 2012 was my favourite year, and it was undoubtedly the worst I’ve known on my veg plot.I’m starting January with my customary clear out. I always clean

it cuts down your planting space. This is particularly important in a small garden.Don’t attach the panels to the posts until the concrete is properly dry.There are a number of different sorts of wooden fence. The most readily available are larchlap panel

first because I want them to flower this year.Yesterday, the first fat-leaved seedlings of Gaura lindheimeri 'The Bride' emerged. I felt excited all day. These first seedlings are particularly precious, since gaura is one of my all-time favourite plants

New Year’s Eve. A defining moment, the joys and traumas of Christmas behind us and the blank page of 2013 stretching ahead like a freshly hoovered carpet. The question is whether, for us gardeners, that carpet will be lush shag pile or meagrely

It's not often you get the chance to garden alongside thousands of other keen green-fingered types. With that in mind, I jumped at the chance to take part in the Gardeners' World Magazine Seed Club. I'm a gardener and garden writer living

that need doing, before those little green shoots in the border suddenly crack on and need attention. It is amazing how forgiving a garden can be: if you dig foundations and make a mess now, the grass will recover and the plants will bounce back by summer