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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

in distorted growth. The adult froghoppers (which don't produce any spit) are 6mm long and bright green, with large eyes and a blunt-shaped head, but they're rarely seen because they hop away on their strong back legs at the first sign of danger.Blobs of white

, nibbling U-shaped notches out of the edges.Pick off the beetles by hand and destroy.broad beans, peassummer, autumn, winterMore advice on growing peas and beansKeeping capsid bugs away from beans.Watch Monty's video demonstration on sowing pea seeds

Pick gooseberries when ripe. If they're still very green, small and hard, leave them a bit longer. Some varieties turn red or white as they ripenPrune bay trees to keep them in shapeSpray apples and gooseberries with a fungicide to protect against

Acers don't like to be baked by the sun so this pot is perfect for a sheltered spot. This particular Japanese maple has beautiful filigree leaves but it's just one of a fantastic range of leaf colours and shapes that are available. The colourful

Grow cactiTry something new by growing some fun, spiky cacti from seed. Their weird and wonderful shapes look great indoors or out (if our summers stay dry) and, as they don't need much attention, they're just the ticket if you don't have a lot

good variety, such as the cone-shaped 'Nordman' or citrus-scented Douglas fir. They're more expensive than the traditional Norway spruce, but they hold their needles well.Before you position and decorate your tree, take it out of its net wrapping