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Monty Don and Carol Klein demonstrate how to plant alpine plants through a layer of membrane and gravel, with advice on increasing soil drainage.spring or autumnMore on growing alpinesWatch our video guide to making an alpine pathVideo advice

of space to grow and thrives in sheltered, sunny sites with well-drained soil. Avoid growing asparagus in shady spots, heavy clay soil or containers.Asparagus crowns (normally one year old)Fork or spadeFertiliser granulesOrganic matter (e.g. well

Learn how to plant spring cabbages by following Monty Don's video demonstration, with tips on soil preparation and planting depths, as well as a special technique to keep pigeons at bay.OctoberMore advice on growing brassicasHow to plant brassicas

Chris Beardshaw shows how to reinvigorate your lawn in an afternoon, offering a comprehensive guide to improving soil structure, scarifying, aerating and dressing.springMore advice on lawn careHow to renovate a lawnHow to improve your lawnHow to cut

When planting, make sure that the top of the compost in the pot is level with the surrounding soil surface. Take time to plant carefully so that the plants all have a good start in life. Follow our step-by-step tips for success.Pot-grown plant

Plant runner beans now and these vegetables will thrive in the warm, moist soil and quickly twine up their supports. At this time of year you can still sow seeds, which will produce a good harvest of succulent pods, or you can buy young plants

Plant out dahlias into well-prepared soil that's been enriched with manureCut down pulmonarias to just above soil level after flowering to encourage new foliageClip box hedging and topiary to keep it neatRegularly tie tall stems of delphiniums

Dig over veg plots, mixing compost into the soil as you goContinue filling a trench with kitchen waste where you want to grow beansCover rhubarb with forcing jars for an early harvestUse cloches to warm the soil for early sowingsPlant new fruit

Sow green manure crops to fill bare soilRemove pond weedsHoe and hand weed bordersFeed plants such as roses, shrubs and hedgesPrepare soil ready for sowing a lawn or laying turf during September and OctoberSend off for mail-order bulb catalogues

Prune summer-flowering clematis, cutting above a low pair of green budsCut out dead stems of ceratostigma and hardy fuchsiasPrune all stems of Hydrangea paniculata down to about three buds from soil levelPrepare areas in flowerbeds ready for sowing