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The weather this year has been far from ideal for raising squashes - my plants are still undersized and you'd almost need a magnifying glass to see the fruits! Courgettes and marrows, though, have had a brilliant year, with the marrows reaching epic

of the garden under piles of sticks and vegetation. They are unlikely to do any damage to healthy plants, but have clearly made a home in the soft centre of this plum tree. It's often said that plants flower well under some stress, and despite the obvious signs

Every year I grow masses of garlic. It's one of the easiest and most satisfying crops to grow, and my entire family adores it. My son has just lifted the autumn-planted crop. This is mostly my favourite variety, 'Albigensian', with four or five

the pepper and aubergine plants in pots. I spread them out on the benching, where they could enjoy the increased light levels coming through that sparkling clean glass.A friend recently gave me a trailer load of manure, so, once the ‘housekeeping’ tasks were

aluminium foil sheets around the plants, in the hope that they will help to reflect light back on the seedlings and improve their chances of growing into healthy plants.I can never find a decent, slimline dibber, so use a blunt pencil instead. I find

do often sponge algal films off foliage, but as it isn’t actually harming the plant, I’ll leave it for the rain to clear off during the next heavy downpour.)I’ll arm myself with a stiff yard broom and set to work on the steps, paving and stepping

After a hectic day recently, I lay on the grass for several minutes, gazing up at my lovely Magnolia stellata. The tree was a 30th birthday present from my sister, which she bought as a good-sized plant. I planted it, but we moved house a few years

) digging interspersed with frequent short fag breaks. The film of the process can be viewed here.They then planted a whole load of stuff. Mostly without following any of the instructions, but who among us can say that we have always adhered religiously

the soil deeply and adding organic matter to the surface, veg can safely be planted at two-thirds’ normal spacing with no paths between rows, so you pack lots into the space. You can also use large patio containers for certain crops, or create a decorative

Soil typesYour soil type - sandy, loam or clay - determines which plant species you can grow. Knowing your soil type enables to you to choose the plants best suited to your garden. Soil type is identified the presence of clay, sand and silt