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Growing new potatoes for Christmas dinner is easier than you might think - you just need to plant them a little later. Some of the best new potatoes are grown from early and second early varieties, usually harvested in June and July. So, when planting in spring, save a few tubers...

Bird tables can be improved with a living, green roof that looks attractive and encourages more wildlife to visit your garden. The best plants to use for green roofs on your bird table are sedums, as they can withstand drought and grow on poor soil

for good drainage. This is particularly important for permanently-planted containers in the garden. This also helps to stabilise lightweight containers.Add compost to the bottom of the container, using the plant in its existing pot as a guide to the depth

.AdamCheck your plants daily, so deadheading takes only a few minutes - and you have a lovely excuse to walk the garden!Pop all the dead flower-heads on the compost heap rather than throwing them in the bin.More on deadheading and pruningDeadheading lilies

The warmth of spring and summer allows you to sow vegetable seeds outdoors in the soil. Here they'll quickly germinate to produce crops to enjoy this season. Try easy-to-grow salads such as radish, spring onion and salad bowl lettuce. You can also use this technique to grow flowe...

The easiest way to trim established conifer hedges is by using a powered hedge-trimmer to give a regular, even finish. Quick-growing conifers will need about three cuts per year during the growing season, at roughly eight week intervals.Inspect your hedge thoroughly before trimmi...

You can't beat the taste of barbecued meat cooked on an open fire. Forget rushing to the garden centre to buy an expensive barbecue - set aside one day and you can have your own stylish brick barbecue.Once you've built your barbecue, why not turn

Sarah Raven demonstrates how to use ornamental kale in borders, to bring colourful interest over winter, with information on the different varieties available.autumnMore advice on growing brassicasHow to plant brassicasMonty advice on planting summer cabbagesTackling cabbage whit...

Chris Beardshaw demonstrates how to prune an old viburnum, removing sideshoots and woody growth to reinvigorate the plant and encourage flowering.springMore advice on pruning plantsHow to prune shrub rosesAdvice on pruning techniquesHow to summer-prune wisteria

Learn environmentally friendly methods for controlling aphids, and other garden pests with Monty's guide to organic insecticides and how they work. Monty also talks you through how to make your own, organic pesticide.summerAdvice on aphids and other