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from pests that search out their desired food crop by smell.Many years ago I sowed these cheerful poached egg plants (Limnanthes douglasii) along the base of my path, under the fan-trained fruit trees. As flowers open through May, in partnership

August can often feel like a tricky time on the allotment. Lots of things like salad potatoes and beetroot have been harvested, leaving large gaps or whole beds free. Then there's the interruption of a summer holiday - should you sow anything new

with dry silver sand when making initial sowings, so you can see exactly how far apart you're sowing the seed.If you don't mind small carrots, make just one thinning to leave seedlings 4cm apart.Advice on growing carrotsMonty Don's video project on growing

As container-grown fruit and veg start to crop, it's important keep your eye on the ball to ensure they stay productive. I've just harvested a small batch of French beans from my late container sowing as part of the Grow Yourself Healthy campaign

I've been quite frustrated with my garden lately. I'm getting impatient waiting for plants to become established; there are too many gaps in the borders and the recent cold spell has prevented the quick germination of seeds I sowed on bare soil. All

unwanted boxes.If you need more space, hang two or three boxes together.Advice on propagating plantsCarol Klein's video guide to taking basal cuttingsMaking a cloche for seedsSowing seeds indoorsTaking summer cuttingsView a variety of conservatory climbers

as soon as roots have formed.More on growing herbsSow basil seed, video advice from Joe SwiftGrowing peppermint and thyme, with Monty DonDeterring rosemary leaf beetleAdvice on picking herbs

. How difficult was that? Looks very hard but let me talk you through the process, step by step:1. Buy seeds2. Disturb ground.3. Sow Seeds3. Go back inside.4. Wait. (There is an option of pouring oneself a cool something at this point in the proceedings

There's nothing wrong with instant gratification. Who can resist the appeal of primulas at this time of year? Certainly not me.I visited the garden centre a couple of weeks ago to buy seed-sowing compost (much better than multi

seedsow in February, pot on in April, plant out in Junesummeran hourIpomoea, morning glory, annual climber - seeds or several pot-ready 'Purple Haze' plants48cm urn or similar sized potWillow plant supportJohn Innes No.3 compostMulti-purpose compost