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or the variety?).I've been a member of the Heritage Seed Library run by Garden Organic for many years, and fully endorse the value and ethos of saving varieties from extinction. After all, you never know when the genetic material they contain could be of value

If your shed is anything like mine, it could probably do with a jolly good clear out. My shed becomes the repository for all sorts of bits and bobs through the summer months. Netting, canes, saved seeds, old labels and pots, a half-eaten packet

-prepared ground. Choose bush varieties and let them ramble over a mulch to eliminate weeding. One or two plants produce plentiful crops and stay productive for weeks (providing you keep picking).Four time-saving veg cropsCourgettes, squashes and patty pansSow seed

is to search the seed catalogues for space-saving varieties. You’ll find bush versions of courgettes and pumpkins instead of traditional long, trailing kinds. There are also mini-veg, varieties that naturally start cropping early in life.Make the best use

We're all looking for ways to recycle more, save money and grow our own edible crops, so it's great finding a way to combine all three at the same time!OK, there's nothing new about re-using cartons and packaging that would otherwise find its way

completely so that you can save their seed to raise more next year.So, what's your favourite salad crop?

looks interesting. I'll also save some of the larger ones as seed to sow next year - If I've learned anything from this batch it's that they're good croppers, and who knows, they may even possess a mysterious resistance to blackfly.

that are big and stringy, remove these too to keep the crop coming. There will be plenty of time for saving seed later.Keep containers weed free, as weeds can compete with crops for water and nutrients and block light to developing fruit. Remove dead or dying

Small lawns needn't be plain and uninspiring. An emerald green, healthy lawn will give any garden a lift, big or small, and there's a lot you can do to keep it looking good - from choosing the right grass seed, to aerating. You can even make a

Last summer I discovered a twining, tender climber called Lophospermum, or lofos. I bought two varieties, 'Burgundy Falls' and 'Summer Cream' (both pictured left), as plug plants from a mail-order seed company. I grew my lofos under cover, in 7