Search - Articles

shrubs and pot them up in gritty compostRub greenfly off rose buds, or apply a soap-based sprayLightly trim broom and genista after flowering to keep plants in shapeWater newly planted trees and shrubs if conditions turn hot and dryTidy up rock gardens

you want them to form autumn hipsTrim lavender immediately after flowering to maintain its shape, but avoid cutting back too far into old woodHoe weeds regularly to prevent seedlings establishingTrim conifer hedges, evergreen hedges and topiary

lots of organic matterPrune lavender to maintain its shape, and take lavender cuttings by pulling off sideshoots and inserting them in trays of gritty compostCollect seed from border perennials and store in a sealed container in a cool place

the soi, and adding compostOrder onion sets and seed potatoesPlant new fruit trees, bushes and cane fruitsStart to plan next year's crop rotationPrune large fruit trees to control their shape and size, and to increase productivityCut out about a quarter

- the long stems emerging from the main plant. Do this now and you can look forward to more plants and a bumper harvest next summer.Strawberry plantSharp knife or secateursPotsMulti-purpose compostGarden wire or u-shaped staplesSeptember - early October45

When we think of irises our minds tend to wander towards May and great swathes of big, brassy flowers over sharp-sided, sword-shaped leaves. Either that or drifts of yellow flag iris on the sides of pools and streams. We tend to ignore February. Big

nigrescensLarge, glazed containerCrocksPebbles or gravelLoam-based compostChoose a container that suits the shape of your plant and put crocks in the base for drainage.Add a layer of pebbles or gravel to improve drainage and add weight in order to stabilise

or spadeautumn1 hourUse a spade or lawn-edging tool to cut an H shape into the turf, pushing the blade vertically through the turf.Push the spade under the turf to cut through the grass roots, and start easing back a complete layer of turf. Do the same

willow canes through the circle, so that they form a cross shape to support the plants.Stick four bamboo canes into the ground and thread the circle on top, securing it with string, to finish off your support.More garden DIY projectsMake a slate planter

to improve, so then will the crop.Baby courgettes fail to develop. Instead of growing into a long or round shape, they quickly rot on the plant.Pollinate the early batch of flowers by hand, rather than relying on insects. Pick an open male flower (which doesn