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. This will prevent air pockets from weakening the walls.When all the concrete mixture is in place, support the outer sides of the box with more bricks. Then cover the entire thing with a plastic sheet.After two days, when the concrete is set, remove the sheet

, but nothing germinated. This year I grew three seedlings from seed sown in the greenhouse in April. Slow at first , they soon developed into strong climbers, so tall split canes were pushed into the pots for support. By early June they were about a meter high

.5-10cm pots, until late May, then placed them on my patio in a large terracotta pot, using a peat-free, multi-purpose compost.To support the climbing stems I used silver birch stems saved from winter pruning, pushing them down into the pot to create a

in and around the logs, adding to the interest. You can even plant a climber or rambler to grow over the wood.The best location for a woodpile or stumpery is in partial shade, where the wood will remain moist and therefore support more life – including

. This will help to support the brittle stems.Using your heel, firm the soil around the plant, then water well so it settles the soil and soaks down to the roots.Spread a 5-7cm-deep layer of mulch over the soil around the plant. This should stop it drying out

and achillea to support a range of pollinating insects. To make the pot absolutely irresistible we added two 'bee hotels' to provide nesting opportunities for solitary bees.A large containerEmpty yogurt pots, polystyrene packaging or crocks for drainage

. Water well and regularly trim and tie in shoots.More on growing bulbsHow to make a box ballAdvice on shaping topiaryMake a spiral plant supportHow to make an ivy heart

to where a vigorous shoot has emerged.Cut through the supporting ties to allow the removal of the pruned flowered shoots. Train in strongest new shoots as they develop throughout the rest of the growing season.AdamWear gloves and protective goggles when

or even to hide an unpleasant view. Stretched over the beams of a pergola it makes a shady roof.More garden DIY projectsMake a spiral supportCreate a lead wall planterConstruct a metal obeliskHow to make willow edging

, on the other side of me, has a veritable riot of sweet peas rambling all over a bamboo cane plant support. My plot might be lush and colourful with runner bean blooms and courgette flowers, but it does lack that splash of summery colour. Besides which, a few