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Exeter, who fed his plants using liquid manure and water from his washing up bowl due to the drought). Wouldn't it be lovely if we brought the record back home?We're all joining in at Gardeners' World magazine, and I'm keen to beat the likes of Adam Pasco

interest and an instant snack for birds.Install a bird bath, where birds can drink and clean their feathers - essential for insulationBirdsFrogs, toads and newts overwinter in log and leaf piles, or beneath stones and plant pots. Some rest in the mud

, ensuring there are no air pockets. Tread the soil firmly up to the previous planting level. Once filled, water in well.Using a tree tie, securely attach the tree to the stake. Place the rubber spacer block (supplied with the tie) between it and the tree

as required.For planting things that are going to live their life in a pot I always choose a loam-based John Innes No.3 compost. The loam gives it the guts to last, along with longer-lasting nutrients. There's no harm in mixing in some water-retaining gel

that the thick seed coats of sweet peas needed chipping with a knife or sanding down to allow water to enter the seed. Times have changed, and so has the advice. Just soaking sweet pea seeds in a glass of water overnight is all that's required, and seeds should

Paving and gravel paths can quickly become colonised by garden weeds. Follow our tips on keeping your paths pristine and weed free, below. While some plants, such as thyme and alpines, look delightful growing in the gaps between patio slabs or path

hiding amongst piles of debris.Try making a slug deterrent by crushing two bulbs of garlic and boiling them in a litre of water for a few minutes. Add a tablespoonful of this to five litres of water and sprinkle on the leaves every couple of weeks

and put a layer of crocks in the bottom of the pot.Half-fill the pot with compost, then remove the acer from its container and position it in the middle of the pot.Fill in around the plant with fresh compost and firm it in gently, making sure it's planted

Growing new potatoes for Christmas dinner is easier than you might think - you just need to plant them a little later. Some of the best new potatoes are grown from early and second early varieties, usually harvested in June and July. So, when

Hyacinth bulbs are widely available and will produce a broad spectrum of colours. Whatever their shade, hyacinths look spectacular planted on their own in a rustic terracotta pot. It's a quick and easy job for autumn that will have stunning rewards