Search - Articles

Spread a thick layer of mulch (manure or compost) around fruit trees and bushesPlant fruit bushes, trees and canes into enriched soilPrune blackcurrants, cutting out a quarter of the oldest woody stems from mature plantsOrder blight-resistant seed potato varieties if disease has ...

Plant new fruit trees, canes and bushesUse cloches to warm soil for early sowingsPrepare areas for planting asparagusPrune apple and pear trees to remove congested, badly placed, damaged or diseased branchesCover seakale to force new shoots to develop

Sprinkle a handful of sulphate of potash fertiliser around the base of fruit trees and bushesPlant new raspberry canes and blackberry plantsPrepare beds to plant asparagusPlace tunnel cloches or simple sheets of polythene over beds to warm soil for early sowingsCarry on sowing se...

Use twigs pushed into the ground to support tall-growing peas, or use short canes and stringFeed strawberries with a high potash feed, such as tomato fertiliserSow flowering companions in your veg plot, such as tagetes and poached egg plants

Net blackberries and autumn-fruiting raspberriesVeg to sow now include swedes, spring cabbages, beetroot for leaves, winter lettuces, radishes, coriander, Japanese onions

varieties of broad beans and peas under clochesDig up and compost old summer cropsSource bags of composted green waste from local authorities to spread onto veg beds over winterPlant out autumn onion sets and garlicTake hardwood cuttings from fruit bushes

Tie in new shoots of blackberries and cane fruits to support wiresSow sweetcorn in deep pots, raising strong young plants to transplant into the garden in JunePinch off strawberry runners as soon as they develop, to stop them competing

Place card collars around the stems of brassicas to prevent an attack of cabbage root flySow pots of herbs such as parsley, coriander and basil Plant out early potatoes, onion sets and shallotsThrow sheets of fleece over fruit trees on frosty nights to protect blossomSow seeds of...

Plant herbs in decorative pots, and keep close to the house so you can reach them easilyPull up soil around the developing shoots of early potatoesStart sowing salad crops at regular 3-4 week intervals to ensure a regular supply for pickingTrim leggy rosemary bushes to promote bu...

Sow seeds of beans, marrows courgettes and squashes, two per pot, and thin out the weakest seedling to leave the strongest plantSpray peaches and nectarines with fungicide to prevent an attack of peach leaf curl Pick rhubarb stems as they develop, and water clumps with a generous...