Search - Articles

The pointed nail galls are caused by microscopic mites, which overwinter in the bark of lime trees and crawl on to the underside of the foliage in spring to feed. The mites secrete chemicals into the leaves causing them to produce the unusual

, the productivity of the tree isn't usually affected.Miniscule gall mites live in the foliage of pear trees. In spring, they secrete chemicals that cause blotches to appear on new foliage. These eventually turn black and the leaf dies, usually in late summer. Remove

rain - and will not survive repeated cutting or pulling.Use a weedkiller such as glyphosate. Spray directly onto the plant and avoid spraying on a windy day and near other desirable plants. all over the gardenearly spring to autumnMore advice

't miss a bargainFinish clearing fallen leavesTurn off the mains water supply to outside taps and wrap with insulation to prevent freezingWater pots of spring bulbsFloat waterproof pond heaters in fish ponds to prevent ice covering the surfaceGive pots

, to promote new growthLift and divide large clumps of hostaTrim winter-flowering jasmine and tie in new shoots to supportsSprinkle granular fertiliser around clumps of spring bulbsFinish pruning roses as soon as possibleCut down all previous year's growth

roses to prevent hellebore leaf spot spreadingPick off developing seed heads on daffodils and spring bulbsSprinkle fertiliser over flower beds and around shrubs and roses

and stir-fry leaf crops every 2-3 weeks to ensure a regular supplySow seeds of the following crops outside this week: beetroot, lettuce, watercress, rocket, radish, spring onions, coriander, parsley, chives, carrots, Swedes, turnip, leaf beet, spinach

Use secateurs to remove suckers growing from the stems of standard rosesTie tall border plants like delphiniums to their supportsFinish planting out dahlias, cannas and summer beddingCut back dead and dying foliage on spring bulbsDeadhead camellias

their shoots into the soilCut down old stems on spring-flowering euphorbias, taking care not to get the milky sap on your skinGive hanging baskets and patio pots a weekly liquid feedRemove flower heads from flag irises as petals fadePrune back flowered stems

Damp down the floor every morning and open ventsWater tomatoes regularly to prevent fruits splittingSow Primula malacoides and P. obconica for flowering pot plants next springHang yellow sticky traps in the greenhouse to help control whitefly