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houseplantsThin bunches of dessert grapes and spray vines to ward off diseases

', 'Laxton's Epicure' and 'George Cave'Sow parsley in pots for winter and spring useThin out heavy crops of plums to prevent branches snappingHang wasp traps in fruit treesPinch out the tops of outdoor tomatoes, as further flowers are unlikely to produce ripe

This heart-shaped frame will create instant impact for Valentine's day without breaking the bank. You can make your topiary frame with a metal coat hanger, a cane and some garden wire. Ivy plantTerracotta potWire coat hangerThin garden wire25cm

after late-spring to avoid the first generation of carrot fly larvae. Harvest the roots by late-August, before the second generation of larvae emerges. Carrot fly can detect the scent of carrots from a mile away; sow the seed thinly, as the process

themselves, and some salads and lovely rocket which seems to have sprouted virtually overnight. So I'm well set up for the barbecue season (and the autumnal stew season, too).My next big job — particular important with root vegetables — will be thinning

and it provides a wonderful backdrop to the rest of the garden. It has long, thin silver leaves as elegant as a dancer's fingers. It also grows as a sort of multi-stemmed thicket that can easily be thinned out to prevent it becoming too dense.However, it does

with a thin layer of soil. Sow from March to August for regular pickings.Water well to help germination – lots of moisture is needed by this fast-growing crop, which should appear in 2-3 days.Thin out emerging seedlings to leave plants about 2-4cm apart

in beds and borders. It's also a great way to replace dead shrubs, or to create gifts for friends and family.Shrubs to take cuttings fromSecateursSharp knifeGood quality compost7cm potsThin canes or rodsPolythene bagJune - July15 minutes to take cuttings

. Follow our guide to deterring carrot root fly, below.Choose varieties that have been bred for their resistance to carrot root fly, such as 'Flyaway', 'Ibiza', 'Maestro', 'Parano', 'Resistafly' and 'Sytan'.Choose resistant varietiesSow seed thinly to avoid

Slugs may be diverted from your container-grown plants by fixing copper tape to your pots. The tape is thin, easy to cut and simple to apply. The copper will gradually turn green over time.A roll of copper adhesive tapeCraft pinking shearsall year