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planting.Blackcurrant bush, e.g. 'Ben Sarek'ForkSpadeCompostGeneral fertiliser such as blood, fish and boneSecateursautumn and winter45 minutesChoose an open and sunny site. Fork over a wide area of ground, then dig a hole deep enough to accommodate

Insulate your greenhouse with a layer of bubble wrap and give your plants a helping hand through winter. Your greenhouse will have fewer draughts and will also benefit from lower bills if you use a heater during the very cold months.Measuring tape

) the pots won't need bringing indoors over winter. Over the years I've amassed quite a collection. So why is it that so many of them have broken?Admittedly we've had a colder winter than in recent years, but it wasn’t that cold, and I live in Hampshire

being far hardier.Another trick when growing them in the garden is to plant deeply – perhaps 20cm or more down – so that they’ll get through winter without being frozen. You can often do the same with dahlias and gladioli, perhaps with just a mulch over

Captivating containersContainers offer the gardener great versatility, and are a fantastic way to experiment with planting and design.Container planting recipesGardening with containers is something I've always enjoyed. They provide some of the most

. These hairs protect the plant against dehydration and intense sunlight.S. arachnoideumThe attractive purple rosettes of 'Irazu' are offset beautifully by their silver leaf margins. The leaves can fade to a duller pink during winter.S. 'Irazu

Feeding the birdsFeeding birds used to be a winter activity, from Christmas until the first spring flowers appeared. But birds need our help in the summer months just as much as during the winter.Because birds breed in the spring and early summer

. Cut dahlias down to the next bud and remove banana and canna leaves at their base.Water these thirsty plants regularly, and give them a liquid feed once a fortnight.Transplant undercover or provide protection over winter.Growing exotic plants

, in particular, is a stunning sight in winter gardens. A single plant spreads nicely each year, and mine now forms a bold clump covered with flowers. These cry out to be touched, begging for an individual flower to be turned over to reveal its hidden glory. Who

developing, so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for a milder week ahead to enjoy these new flowers in pristine form.Adding a few winter flowering plants really pays dividends, providing another reason to get outside to breathe in some of the freshest air