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and then watered them with greenhouse-temperature water. I just wonder whether the seedlings are aware of the 5-Star accommodation I've provided for them. Will they reward me with 5-Star performance?

At last, we've had rain, but I'm starting to wonder if I have rain-inducing powers. Like many gardeners, I try to avoid watering the garden, but recently I had to resort to the hose. It was so dry even the nettles were wilting! But of course, after

I've always been fascinated by algae. These simple organisms take so many forms. Some are accurate indicators of water pollution, and some, like the blue-green alga spirulina, are a brilliant source of vitamin B12. But right now they've gone too far

, and then watered sparingly from the base only to prevent any mould spreading. I recommend filling the saucer with tepid water, allowing it to be taken up by the plant for a few minutes and then draining off any excess. That, combined with cooler windowsills

take on a round, head shape. Tie a tight knot beneath the mass of sawdust and soak the head in water, ensuring it is thoroughly wet through. After about ten days the grass hair will start to appear, bright green and very straight. Add some plastic

This year has been a good year for tomatoes, but also a good year for blight. Blight, Phytophthora infestans, is a fungal infection, spread by spores in water droplets. Affected tomatoes develop brown, sunken patches, which spread to the stems

. The plants are suspended from the roof of my greenhouse and they love the ready supply of rainwater from the nearby water butt. They’re worth their weight in gold as they trap the grim selection of flies that sneak their way in to the greenhouse. The only

.When the icicles melted, the water landed on my hellebores and sarcococca and then froze again, coating the plants in thick layers of ice. Now the temperatures have increased and everything has defrosted, it's good to see that neither the hellebores nor

between the panes in the last year. A jet wash with a hose attachment is all it took. The secret is to do it once, allowing the water to loosen everything up, then repeat the process an hour or two later.All that remains is to write myself a reminder

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