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Pebble mosaic makes the perfect surface for stepping stones to create an informal path in areas of lawn or gravel and is not only decorative but also extremely durable, and protects grass from wear and tear. Rounded tactile pebbles and slate

to where a vigorous shoot has emerged.Cut through the supporting ties to allow the removal of the pruned flowered shoots. Train in strongest new shoots as they develop throughout the rest of the growing season.AdamWear gloves and protective goggles when

becoming scorched.More on growing strawberriesRead Lila Das Gupta's blog on growing strawberriesPlant strawberries in a hanging basketPlant up alpine strawberriesGuard strawberry plants against grey mouldProtect strawberries from cold weather

.AdamTo help rooting, use a soil mix of three parts compost to one part sand.More advice on growing fruitGrow early strawberriesProtecting strawberriesTackle grey mould on soft fruitsMonty Don's favourite fruit varieties

These funky lanterns are easy to make and won't break the bank. Made from metal food cans, protected from the elements with spray paint, they'll last for years to come brightening up any area of your garden. Spray lots of lanterns all the same

-release fertiliser.More on growing tomatoesJoe Swift's video guide to growing tomatoes from seedGrowing tomatoes in pots and grow bagsHow to deal with tomato blightHow to control tomato leaf mouldProtect tomatoes from frost damage

vulnerable to attack, so protect them by waiting until they're a good size before planting out. Exploit the beetles' habit of jumping and catch them with a sticky trap. Coat a piece of card with grease, such as insect barrier glue, leaving a clean strip along

Tiny sap-sucking scale insects. They are 1-6mm long, and their whitish, grey-brown shells are covered by protective, waxy scales. The insects don't cause too much damage unless they are present in huge numbers, but some excrete an unsightly, sticky

with slugs and snailsProtect pot plants from slugsControlling snails in your gardenChoosing plants that slugs don't like

are very effective, but compost with the chemical imidacloprid controls the larvae for up to a year. Other formulations provide just short-term protection.many plants, container-grown plants are especially vulnerableall year roundMore common garden pests