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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

There are so few plants that do well in my small, shady garden, but those that do thrive deserve a medal. This week, honesty is taking centre stage, with its tall spires of brilliant white flowers, towering above more subtle spring blooms.I love

up’ one or more of the organisms that can cause damping off.I’m not saying don’t use water butts, but it’s well worth taking care with what plants you use the water on. I use water butt water on more mature plants, and on those in open ground. I

. The name sounds like it should belong to a haughty Spanish princess sashaying through the Mexican desert, like Victoria Montoya who married John Cannon in the 1960s television series, The High Chaparral.In fact, this is not a haughty plant at all

.Cover with fleeceGrow carrots in narrow beds surrounded with 60cm-high barriers of polythene, or fine-meshed netting – this is another good way to stop the female flies finding your crop.Make fly barriersGrow carrots alongside strong-smelling companion plants

and a wonderful stripy frog.Unlike most of her gardening friends, Fabiana grows native plants for moths and birds. A former farm, the land was sown mainly with Italian rye grass for grazing animals. Fabiana removed most of this grass and replaced

for varieties that produce all-female flowers, such as ‘Bella’ F1, ‘Baribal’ F1 or ‘Saturn’ F1. These varieties will form fruits without you having to pollinate the flowers by hand.Good quality compostSmall potsWatering canPlant labelsApril - May10 - 15 minutes

for an indulgent autumn, provided I can keep birds and wasps away.Just one more job for the week ahead: sprinkle sulphate of potash fertiliser over the soil around my fruit trees and bushes. Potash is the nutrient plants need to encourage good flowering