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Treat field horsetail with a systemic herbicide such as glyphosateInstall water butts to collect rainwater over winterScarify, aerate and feed your lawnGather up hoses, sprinklers and watering equipment to store away for winterWrap insulation

on staging to dry thoroughly before storingMonitor day and night temperatures with a max-min thermometer and turn on heating if neededWater plants sparingly and avoid splashing the water aroundMove Christmas cacti to where they get short days and long nights

Water azaleas regularly with rainwaterTake the last chance to bring on forced indoor bulbs for festive decorationsWater potted fuchsias sparingly to prevent the compost drying out completelyTidy the greenhouse and pick faded leaves from pelargoniums

. Now fill the basket two-thirds with compost.Mix the fertiliser and water-retaining gel into the compost. Then plant the begonias just off-centre, with the marguerite behind.Alternate the verbena and plectranthus around the edge - the plectranthus

-retaining gel and slow-release fertiliser. Thoroughly mix them into the compost.Knock the begonia, pelargonium and fern plants out of their pots and arrange them in the bucket - remember they will only be seen from one angle. Then fill them in with compost.Water

, firming with your boot to remove any air pockets.Water in well then spread a thick layer of compost around the shrub. Water weekly until it's leafy and well established.AdamUse bark mulch around the newly planted shrub for an attractive finish

.springMore advice on hanging basketsSarah Raven demonstrates how to plant up a hanging basketWatering hanging basketsCreating a fragrant herb hanging basket displayPlanting up a summer hanging basketView plants by flower colourBrowse a selection of spring blooming

they're about 4cm tall and again at 8cm, so that they're spaced about 15cm apart.AdamTo get the best possible display of poppies, keep plants well watered until they are established.Advice on growing flowersPlant profile of California poppy

of compost.Water the compost carefully and put the guttering in a greenhouse, cold frame or on a windowsill. The seeds should germinate after about a week and can be grown on for two to four weeks depending on the variety and time of year, before planting out

Once house bulb displays have finished flowering, plant them outside and water in well with a liquid feedMow paths through areas of long grass and meadows to avoid walking on bulbs and wildflowers