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.Protecting strawberries from slug and rain damage.Growing early strawberries.Propagating strawberries.

With the fruit swelling on your strawberries it's time to protect them and cover the soil around the plants with a mulch. This will prevent the crop getting splashed with mud when it rains. And don't forget to net the plants against birds and keep

, position it on the north side of the greenhouse, to stop it casting shade onto crops. Don’t use rain water on seedlings, as it contains fungal spores which may cause them to collapse or ‘damp off’.Water butt

contemplate taking one on.  One thing I've discovered, is that allotments, like babies, are great for killing spontaneity: no you cannot go down to the art gallery to join your friends on a sunny afternoon. It hasn't rained and the plot needs watering

with water whenever it rains. It’s important to keep these ‘tanks’ filled up, but try to use rain water if possible, as lime scale will mark the leaves. Once a month, empty the rosette by turning the plant upside down, then refill with fresh water

with the stems - only as you add the final few does the whole lattice lock solid.Hang your bee hotel on a sunny wall, sheltered from the rain, and wait for the mason bees to investigate it in the spring.AdamAlthough Japanese knotweed is a real pest, its dead

of lawn with no weeds or moss to spoil the effect. The best time to do this is during a warm spring or autumn when plenty of rain will help the new grass establish roots in time for summer sun or winter frosts.TurfWheelbarrowSpadeTopsoilRakeSharp knife

What an odd summer we're having. I'm behind after not daring to sow a thing in April as I knew I wouldn't be able to keep them watered enough in those scorching temperatures. Then May hit us with lots of rain and wind so all the slugs and weeds I

, bright sun. But the recent rains had started me wondering whether I should've planted moisture-lovers instead. But although I expected those osteospermums to flop and develop grey mould, they've continued to look great, admittedly with a bit of extra

are beginning to turn, the apples are ready, the Nerines are just starting and the last tomatoes are still warm in the greenhouse.Enjoy it now because tomorrow anything could happen (and, probably, it will rain).