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seed – they need to be bought fresh each season.Save part-used packets of seedSow sparingly to make a packet of seeds go further. It also saves a lot of thinning out for direct-sown seeds, and means easier pricking-out when you sow in pots. Mix small

that we can do for the trees. Around this time of year it's a good idea to thin the fruit again by hand to stop them bumping against each other - this can cause bruising, followed by rot, which can easily spread from one apple to its neighbour. Hence

of clean straw. In cold areas, add a layer of soil for extra frost protection. Cover with plastic sheeting.More on growing and harvesting carrotsHarvesting carrots video project.Growing carrots in a container.Thinning carrots.Browse a variety of vegetable

Watering canClocheSeptember an hourSow salads such as winter purslane, lamb's lettuce, land cress and salad burnet direct in shallow rows 20cm apart. Cover with a thin layer of soil or compost and water well.Plant out established seedlings of crops sown earlier

and store the whole seedhead in a paper bag, but it's preferable to let the seed ripen on the plant.Agapanthus seed is thin, laid flat in overlapping layers in a papery capsule that bursts into three separate sections. The seed is black with a papery tail

damping-off disease.Place the seeds on the surface of the damp compost, spacing them evenly. Take your time, as this can be a fiddly job. Then sprinkle a thin, even layer of fine compost over the seeds, ensuring they're not disturbed.Cover each pot

of vermiculite, which is easier to spread thinly, alternatively you could use seed compost if you prefer.Water the pot thoroughly, cover with cling film, and stand it in a warm, bright position. When seedlings emerge, remove the cling film.Pot seedlings

Sharp knife10cm potMulti-purpose compostRooting hormone (liquid or powder)Clear polythene bagsJune - September45 minutesChoose sideshoots as cuttings, pulling these away from the main stem with a thin strip of bark, or heel, still attached.This heel

Plastic gutteringFine-tooth tenon saw or hacksawMulti-purpose compostWatering canMarch - August20 minutesharvest from April to SeptemberSprinkle a pinch of your salad seed along the length of the compost-filled guttering and lightly cover the seed with a thin layer

could use a pre-marked board for accurate spacing.Thin out the weaker seedlings to give your plants room to grow, so you're left with just one plant every 10cm.AdamIn warmer districts and on light soils, try to sow the parsnip seeds in February and March