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late, cold spring followed by a heat wave is the worst mix possible. The good news is that it's now getting cooler, which will keep our plants looking fresh in the Great Pavilion.I've spent the last few days creating a mock-up of my display. This gives

it was wearing a turtleneck sweater and holding a pistol in the E.H. Shepard illustrations for The Wind in the Willows. Stoats, according to Ratty "are not to be trusted".This week is the first big event of the garden show calendar: the Malvern Spring Gardening

I've planted everywhere. I simply let it spring up among other plants, adding another tier of seasonal colour. Stems can be gently plucked from the soil to use as cut flowers, but I leave mine in place to enhance the display. Without tightly packed

It's all go at the moment, there's so much to do. The recent hot weather has had quite an impact on the plot - plants have doubled in size, flowers are abundant, the onions are trying to bolt and I've got a spring in my step.When there's so much

are struggling to keep their heads above water. Usually I find a spring dose of nematodes sorts out the worst of the problem and keeps the little blighters at bay while my plants get established. But this year it's not just the little blighters that are wreaking

large clods of earth, leaving a crumbly soil to work with in the spring. I haven't added a top dressing of manure to my beds yet - I'm not too sure what to do about manure this season after all the weedkiller scares of the summer. I'd rather go without

Anemone x hybrida) always springs to mind. There are several related varieties, too, including Anemone hupehensis, all originating from the Far East from Japan to China. They shade, cope with dry sites, but doesn't seem to mind a heavy clay soil either

in spring to enjoy buds bursting to reveal their unfurling foliage.But it's autumn when the fireworks really start, and over the coming weeks they'll steal the show. It won't be long before a cold wind blows away my display, but until then they

plants in spring. Honesty can be established to ensure new seedlings every year, much as you would with other biennials, such as foxgloves.Honesty is well worth a place in any garden – I’d recommend adding it to your seed order right away. You’ll find

little.There I go again. Excuses, excuses. There’s no time like the present, and with little else to do outside it makes sense to get the shed tidied up ready for the busy spring ahead, when I’ll be able to lay my hands instantly on every tool I need