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as possible, and applied mulches. I provided them with temporary shade using some leftover pea sticks.In addition to early-evening watering I also did a fair amount of emergency midday watering, too. When my gorgeous potted osteospermum started to wilt, I

and persistent winds.On Monday a full-sized water butt broke free from one of the greenhouses, spilled what water it contained and then right down the hill and ended up by the front door; trees and shrubs have literally had their leaves torn from the stems; less

-on algae and the general debris that accumulates over the growing season.So that is why wet weather can sometimes bring advantages. Now, with the naturally softened layer of gunk more easily shifted I am out there, starting to get to grips with all

aluminium foil sheets around the plants, in the hope that they will help to reflect light back on the seedlings and improve their chances of growing into healthy plants.I can never find a decent, slimline dibber, so use a blunt pencil instead. I find

the previous year - it's perfect for growing baby salad leaves as they don't need a lot of nutrients. Kept adequately watered and stood in a well-lit spot, the seeds soon germinate. Then, within a few weeks, a harvestable crop of salad leaves is ready. And

The heat has been incredible lately. I feel like my vegetables are cooking in the ground where they're growing. I'm used to the fact that all that soft, tender foliage is like a big advert to passing pests and pathogens, but the intense heat is a

I couldn't be happier. The sun is shining and it almost feels as if spring is here.  Just last week there was standing water in the bottom few feet of one of my plots; the soil was completely submerged and saturated. Conditions were so wet

suggest putting some water out for them now, and letting them eat some of your fruit, too!

and removing algae from between the panes, using a combination of strong water jets and a slim piece of plastic cut from a margarine tub. Then, having finally cleared the last of the tomatoes from the bed, I removed any lurking traces of grey mould from

of cress.I love growing cress. The seed is ridiculously cheap, and incredibly quick to germinate. And, of course, growing cress is a great way of introducing children to the pleasures of gardening. Just buy the packets of seed, get sowing and you'll see