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Spread a compost mulch around border plants to suppress weedsPut pond pumps and fountains back into pools, thoroughly cleaning filters firstLay turf or sow new lawns from seedClean out bird baths and top up with fresh waterCheck tree ties

Spread a thick layer of mulch (manure or compost) around fruit trees and bushesPlant fruit bushes, trees and canes into enriched soilPrune blackcurrants, cutting out a quarter of the oldest woody stems from mature plantsOrder blight-resistant seed

Trim hedges to keep them neat, then shred and compost the clippingsTop up compost or bark mulches around heathersHoe and hand weed bordersWater hanging baskets and patio containers regularlyPlace orders for bulbs to plant this autumnDeadhead flowers

Hi I planted a clematis "Bill MacKenzie a couple of years ago and it hasn't flowered as yet. It's growing up a south facing wall and is mulched in the spring and  is generally well looked after.Is there anything I can do to encourage it to flower

Does anyone use brassica collars ? If I make my own what material is best to use. Jen Do you mean like mulch mats? I  bought some scraps of lino from my local carpet store - its easy to slice with a knife and doesnt blow away. Carpet would

be a good starting point mindya. Along with a good mulch using good quality compost around the base, would be beneficial.

. I did put a leaf mulch around the base of each plant. It's possible there are slugs or snails in there. I shall remove it tomorrow and inspect. They hide in the day-go out tonight after dark with a torch you will see them. It is always slugs

it self seed if you do not mulch. Just leave the seed heads on and you will have lots of them! dry seeds heads. then put then in pots thay will flower next year. Mine self seed all over the place.

, prune these out to prevent the infection spreading and keep a close eye on it. You won't need to replace the tree if it's young and the infection is dealt with quickly. If the tree is otherwise healthy though, just give it a good mulch in spring. Kate Hi

I have a winter-flowering cherry that has a similar problem: it flowered intermittently through the winter, got lots of rain in the spring, but suddenly about 1/3 of the leaves died back.  It is weeded, fertilised and mulched.  I contacted