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Alys Fowler's top 10 veg plantsWith increased awareness of organic farming, food miles and healthy eating, many more people are trying their hand at growing vegetables. We caught up with Alys Fowler at the Chelsea Flower Show for some tips

Plants for small gardensSmall gardens can accommodate a wide range of plants, from spring bulbs to small trees. We spoke to Monty Don and James Alexander-Sinclair at Gardeners' World Live to discover their top 10 plants for small gardens.A small

without drainage holesmid-April - July 20 minutes to plantharvest all year round depending on the cropHarden off greenhouse-raised plants if necessary by standing them in a sheltered spot outdoors for a week before planting.Before putting into the ground

plants the following summer. Kept on a warm windowsill over winter, your cuttings will quickly develop roots and leaves. They'll be ready to plant out in spring, and will flower all summer.Established geranium (pelargonium) plantPlastic potsSeed compost

 and John Innes No.3 loam-based compost. All this weight provides extra stability to prevent the trees catching the wind and toppling over. These acers are no more demanding than any plants in pots, and just need regular watering and feeding.The foliage

prefer a plant or two that few others have.One that caught my eye when it was first introduced by Hillier's 14 years ago is Sophora 'Sun King'. A chance seedling turned up in Hillier Arboretum, growing into this new garden-worthy shrub, and what a stunner

grown 30-40cm tall, and I've missed the boat! Repotting and dividing them now would cause too much damage to the new leaves, so I'll have to do it next winter instead.Planting hostas in pots is a great way to produce stunning patio features. My Hosta

into the winter. In the final stage of its life journey the seed-pod turns crispy brown, and crumbles away depositing thousands of seeds on the surrounding ground. It dies as elegantly as a poet in a garret. If you want them in your garden then scrounge some seed

like plums: never in the winter or during wet weather - for fear of silverleaf. Find them a sheltered place as they blossom quite early, so are a bit vulnerable to frosts. However, do not be scared off as there are lots of cultivars (some even from

, and no master plan that will dictate the garden design for years to come. Plants in pots are mobile, and can be shifted around, enjoyed in a variety of locations where they can fill gaps, and at the end of summer move back under cover for winter