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have to repeat the process several times.The autumn free fall is a real bonus. Leaves rot down into gorgeous compost, so I'll make the most of my free supply. On lawns they're easy to collect. I simply raise the cutting height on my mower blades

. This is not nearly as scary as it sounds as it is simple to manage. It sends up fast-growing, very vertical shoots, with tinkling silver leaves that bustle and worry in the breeze. When one trunk gets too big you cut it down and let another take its place.

and an interesting story.The elder has always been considered a magic plant, supposed to ward off evil and provide useful protection from witches - in some parts of the world cutting down an elder may bring the wrath of some evil sprite upon you. If that is the case

blackberries into large colanders.I say all this wistfully, because I still haven't found a good jam-making blackberry that I want to plant on the plot. An allotment friend has kindly given me a rooted cutting of 'Black Butte', but I note from the details

as the season progresses. They also provide great cut flowers, or just simply take a single flower and float it in a glass bowl of water as a simple table decoration.Another favourite is Tulbaghia, and in particular a variety called ‘Silver Lace’ with silvery

When growing edible crops, it is essential to use your plot efficiently, especially if space is limited. It’s no good growing an unusual variety with a tiny yield if it takes up space that could be used for a more productive crop – particularly

to meeting hundreds of you in person.Staying at a hotel close to the shows venue at Birmingham's NEC for the next six days I find it hard to travel light, especially when I have so many plants and props to take with me for our theatre shows. Thanks goodness

Butterflies have a starring role in the July 2011 issue of Gardeners' World magazine. There's a cut-out-and-keep ID guide, a feature on plants for butterflies and another on gardening for all three stages of their lifecycle. This wealth of content

Queen Mother. Olga, the new head gardener, is just coming to terms with such an exposed garden, designed in part to provide cut flowers and produce for the house. Tall walls and dividing hedges are essential to create shelter, and new planting projects

'll need quite a thick layer to provide the support the plants need. Give all the plants a good watering before starting.Cut a circle from a compost bag for the bottom of the basket, to help retain water. Add slow-release fertiliser and water-retaining gel