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Why is it that dandelions are regarded as weeds? They're amazingly beautiful, have a strong and reliable flower colour, they're hardy, vigorous plants and they're even edible.I love dandelions, which is great as the warm, wet weather of the past two

Here's a thing. If a wild animal comes into a garden, it's wildlife. If a wild plant comes in, it's a weed. Now that seems just a bit unfair on our native flora.Admittedly, an animal can be considered a pest, but many are regarded as helpful

bit of gardening. I've just had another look at the RSPB Homes for Wildlife web pages and see that September is the best month for clearing some blanket weed off of the garden pond. How apposite, I'd noticed the pond was looking rather green and cloudy

into life - including the weeds. My last couple of sessions on the plot have involved a never-ending cycle of weeding and sowing seeds. It's so important to keep on top of weeding at this time of year. If left, they can smother young plants, competing

exhausting tasks: for example, digging a long line of fence post holes, pointing between paving stones or even weeding. This was fine most of the time - bar occasional rebellions when a members of my workforce downed tools and refused to listen to The Archers

I'm rather proud of the plot at the moment. It's weeded, fed, mulched and manured, the potatoes are chitted and in, and the beds are ready. Best of all, I've just top dressed my paths with lovely wood chips, which set the whole thing off to a 'T

and dissolve 1.3kg sugar in it• Take off the heat and add the flower heads• Slice 2-3 lemons into a bowl (at this point you can add citric acid to prolong shelf life)• Pour the liquid over the lemons, cover and leave for 24hrs• Strain into a bottle• Add ice

Sometimes it seems like I've had the allotment forever - I just can't imagine life without it. It seems so long ago when I look back to the early days - no shed, no raised beds, only weeds and lots of work to do.I think we got most things right when

.I'm on a mission to tidy up my plot this month. It's looking quite unkempt (I think 'unkempt' is the right word although Ron next door might choose something stronger) and is rather letting the Gardeners' World side down. I bet the weeds dare not show

trays, compost or propagators. Just clear the soil, forking it over to remove debris, weeds or larger stones and get sowing. I use sand from the kids' sandpit to mark out separate areas for each type of seed, and sow in rough rows to make subsequent