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Plants for small gardensSmall gardens can accommodate a wide range of plants, from spring bulbs to small trees. We spoke to Monty Don and James Alexander-Sinclair at Gardeners' World Live to discover their top 10 plants for small gardens.A small

to work and warms up quickly in spring. However it dries out rapidly and leaches nutrients when it rains, so it needs plenty of organic matter adding to help retain moisture and feed the plants. It's gritty to touch as it's made up of larger particles than

Feeding the birdsFeeding birds used to be a winter activity, from Christmas until the first spring flowers appeared. But birds need our help in the summer months just as much as during the winter.Because birds breed in the spring and early summer

the leaves like spinach and eat the braised stalks with cheese sauce. Seeds are cheap and it’s a foolproof crop that’s highly productive in a small space. Sow from spring until late summer. Summer-sown plants will give a second crop the following spring

there are not enough, because I bet you a shiny 20p piece that in a couple of weeks, when they have died back and other things have doubled in size, that you will have completely forgotten.I plant a lot of bulbs every year for various clients — last autumn I had about

.)Malus 'Red Sentinel': one of the finest crab apples with sensational autumn colour and jewelled clusters of small red apples that cling on long after the leaves have fallen. The blossom is a fine pinky reddy white in spring.Acer davidii, the snake bark maple

then triggers the germination of seeds lying dormant in the soil and the result is a new generation of plants.The origins of restiosRestios are what's known as cool-season growers. The shoots grow from late-summer until Christmas and then again in spring

I might move house this year. It’s very early days, but the possibility of having a bigger garden is sending my plant-collecting gene into overdrive. I currently grow plants in my small, shady courtyard garden. But after four years of this, I long

and put a layer of crocks in the bottom of the pot.Half-fill the pot with compost, then remove the acer from its container and position it in the middle of the pot.Fill in around the plant with fresh compost and firm it in gently, making sure it's planted

-up liquid to the water to really help it soak in and wet the compost thoroughly.More advice on extending the life of plants How to deadhead flowers.Advice on watering plants.Tips for watering hanging baskets.Feeding your plants.Browse a variety of spring