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-leaved shoots. They pop up all over the place and grow faster than the grass, so it's obvious when the lawn needs mowing.The shoots are the runners of one of my favourite plants, Salix exigua, or the coyote willow. This is about the tallest plant I have

around the roots.Trim off a good section of the roots with a knife.Cut the root into short lengths (around 2.5cm) and push these vertically into a seed tray, of compost, thick end up.Cover the seed tray with a thin layer of grit to improve drainage

I need clear signs of spring to help me to recover from a gloomy winter. This year, it seems spring is three whole weeks late. But it is, finally, in full swing: hundreds of daffodils planted alongside my drive are in glorious bloom.The daffodil

Alys Fowler's top 10 veg plantsWith increased awareness of organic farming, food miles and healthy eating, many more people are trying their hand at growing vegetables. We caught up with Alys Fowler at the Chelsea Flower Show for some tips

Free-draining compost or cactus compostSilver sandNewspaperSheet of glassPencil (to prick out)Seed trayall year round20 minutes to sowFill a broad terracotta pot with a moist, gritty, loam-based compost, such as John Innes. Firm down and make the surface level

I've always been fascinated by algae. These simple organisms take so many forms. Some are accurate indicators of water pollution, and some, like the blue-green alga spirulina, are a brilliant source of vitamin B12. But right now they've gone too far

.Spread the worms out over the bedding and they'll quickly start burrowing down into the material.Cover the worms and bedding material with a thin layer of well-chopped vegetable peelings. As these begin to rot, the worms will be able to start feeding on them. Most

's these long evening spent leisurely flicking through seed and plant catalogues that are costing me dearly. After a first run-through, the list of 'must have' plants is far too long, so I have to go through again in more detail. This is meant to be a ruthless

last week). It is a good moment to look back on the triumphs and disasters in our gardens and to make notes, so that we do not make the same mistakes again.Allow me to share a few of my best mess-ups of 2010.My first is a mistake I did make last year

.Semiarundinaria yashadake 'Kimmei' – lots and lots of thin yellow canes with narrow green stripes. 2.5m highThe following are clump-formers:Thamnocalamus crassinoides 'Merlyn' - graceful 4m-high, blue-stemmed plant with tiny leaves. Perfect for the smaller garden