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will have turned into fine, dark leaf mould. Use it as a seed-sowing medium or mixed with equal parts of fine garden compost, loam and sharp sand for potting.Before you build your leaf heap, choose a position that's out of sight but easy to get at. It should

, which can be planted out in March or April for a quick-growing crop. Sets are available from garden centres or by mail order, and although the range of varieties is not quite as wide as from seed, it's is an easy, reliable method of growing.Whether you

Bare patches can appear in your lawn after a thorough raking, where the grass is undernourished or where it's been worn out. These gaps should be reseeded or returfed to prevent moss and weeds colonising the soil and to allow your lawn to look its

Don't panic the moment you find fungi in the garden. They thrive in moist, warm conditions and many are harmless. The two most damaging are the honey-coloured honey fungus and fairy rings. The former is a killer and spreads through the soil between

.Remove infected leaves from plants as soon as the fungus is seen. In winter, when the hollyhock dies down, clear away any infected leaves as they will harbour the fungal infection. Weeds such as common mallow, which are related to hollyhocks, also harbour rust so

their eggs on the leavesKeep sowing parsley to ensure a continuous supply Cut down unwanted raspberry canes at soil levelSow cabbages to pick as spring greensHoe a little fertiliser into the soil between rows of onions as you weedPeg down strawberry runners

after the wildlife in their garden and boost the balance between beneficial insects and pests.Mow lawns regularlyTreat problem weedsTidy up hedgesAround the gardenTie in young delphinium growth to plant supportsSow hardy annual flowers directly into beds

, the young shoots need clipping two or three times during the growing season. Dig out lawn weeds, such as daisies and dandelions Watch out for greenfly and blackfly on developing plantsCollect hellebore seeds from ripe podsAround the gardenPlant out

pods that taste much better than any out-of-season beans in a supermarket.Plant tender crops outsideDig out perennial weedsWash dust off the foliage of houseplantsAround the gardenPlant up hanging basketsPlant out potted alliums to add interest

in the garden before you leave them out.Feed fast-growing plants with fertiliser Thin out congested pond plantsHand flower beds to prevent weeds establishing Around the gardenPlant out dahlias into well-prepared soil Regularly tie tall stems of delphiniums