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Tying in climbers, tall perennials and trained shrubs and fruit bushes needs to be done when the stems are soft and pliable. When shoots are growing quickly in spring and summer, they may have to be tied in to their support once a week. Take care

At this time of year dahlias are producing stunning showy flowers, but they lose impact if the stems flop forward under the weight of the flowers. To get the best dahlia floral display, tie their stems to canes as they grow to give them some support

Easter always reminds me of my childhood. I attended a village school in Somerset and we used to pick bunches of primroses (Primula vulgaris), tie them up with coloured wool, place them in baskets and decorate the church.It is sad to think

We all forget to do things sometimes, but I’m rather ashamed about this omission. As I walked around the fruit trees in our mini-orchard last week, I was horrified to discover that a few of them had grown too big for the ties I’d used when staking

roses by placing poles around the plants and tying stems to them. Train compact climbers and ramblers up pergola poles, vertical pillars or an obelisk. Standard roses also need supporting. Replace the original cane with a stronger stake and use tree ties

to complement the colours of the climbers. Small-flowered plants work best, because they won't swamp the delicate flowers of the climbers.Encourage climbers onto the support by tying stems with soft twine to the willow, leaving some give in the twine so

of the climbers.Encourage the sweet pea onto the support by tying stems with soft twine to the willow, leaving some give in the twine so that the stems don't break in the wind and have space to grow.AdamRemove fading flowers, using scissors or secateurs to cut

ones can be hidden by the foliage in just a few weeks. Pea sticks, bamboo canes, tripods or plant supportsSoft string or plant tiesApril - June (or as required) 30 minutes Twiggy stems that have been pruned from shrubs in winter make ideal 'pea sticks

bulbsDeadhead pansies regularlyPlant lily-of-the-valleyTie string or wire around conifers and yew to prevent heavy snow damaging branchesFill empty containers with winter heathers and trailing ivyFirm soil around roses loosened by stormsReplace wobbly

Prune the tops of standard roses to reduce wind rockKeep off lawns in frosty weather or if very wetPrune wisteria, shortening sideshoots to 10-15cm from their baseCheck tree ties are secureOrder dahlias, gladioli and other summer-flowering bulbsTie in the stems