CATEGORIES

My compost woes

MANY of us who like to raise our own plants have been suffering compost woes, whether we’re trying to go peat-free or not! This year many of my plants failed to thrive: they developed chlorotic (or yellowing foliage) and withered away. At first, I put this down to the cool temperatures of spring, but they failed to recover once the nights and days warmed up. I have to deduce that the compost is probably to blame. Much of the compost I’ve used this year is not encouraging growth as it should.

This week... Anemones

You can grow anemones in borders, around trees and shrubs or in containers

Blanket the garden with colour

Hardy perennials are a bright delight, says Ruth

Dividing Siberian irises

Split big clumps to keep them flowering well, says Ruth

Potting up seedlings

I’m moving some seedlings into larger pots, says Ruth

Butterfly magnets

Lure butterflies to the garden by growing their favourite flowers, says Hazel Sillver, as she looks at the best plants to supply these beautiful insects with nectar for months

Walking on the wild side

In prairie, naturalistic or ‘new perennial’ gardens, plants are chosen to suit their environment and grow in a more natural way, says Anne Swithinbank

Propagating flag iris

Steve and Val Bradley explain how to divide these colourful perennials

What to prune in midsummer

Give a post-flowering trim for shape and health, says Ruth

This week... Marguerites

Plant marguerites for lots of daisy-like flowers during summer in a range of colours

Red-hot Pokers

With their upright stems and sizzling colours, red-hot pokers are wonderful garden perennials flowering in summer and autumn. Anne Swithinbank reveals her favourites

Shrubs that flower throughout summer

There are plenty of shrubs that are great for adding colour, scent and structure to our gardens through summer, says Camilla Phelps, as she reveals some of her favourites

Sickly looking rhododendrons

Snapping away dead flower heads of rhododendrons is not strictly necessary, but if you have a sickly plant, relieving it from the burden of making seeds is a sensible plan

Time to prune ramblers

Rambling roses put on a gorgeous display but at this time of year they benefit from some careful pruning, says Toby

Love bugs

Val looks at the importance of insects for wildlife and man

Honesty is the best biennial!

Flowers and seedheads are both delightful, says Ruth

Thinning tree fruit by hand

You may need to step in after the June drop, says Ruth

Benefits of buying British

Keep the home barbecue fires burning

A garden for all reasons

A modern take on the cottage-garden style provides Mike and Geraldine Carter with a plot that's productive and rich in colour

Peter's tip for begonias

MAY I say how sad to lose Peter Seabrook. I for one continue to miss his gardening experience.

Planting against a shady wall

This north-facing wall of our house is in deep shade and colonised by a lax evergreen euonymus that produces small orange fruits. Though not that showy, its leaning nature and leafy cover are appreciated

How to grow grapes

Steve and Val Bradley explain that it's easier to grow grapes in Britain than you may think

Knowledge is power

Val looks at how local knowledge benefits wildlife

Strawberry fields

Now's the time to prepare your strawberries so you can enjoy a bumper crop of delicious fruit next year

Seeds to bring the butterflies

Sow now to help our struggling pollinators

Houseplants in summer

Some thrive in the garden, while others stay in

Getting ready for going away

Preparing the garden for holidays is important

Make the most of water

Ruth shows you ways of avoiding water wastage

Focus on... Vertical gardening

Think vertically, with even modest spaces, and you'll be amazed at what is possible. Lucy explains how you can turn those high hopes into game-changing fruit and veg

Combined forces

Grafting allows Toby to tap into his inner Frankenstein and give his favourite plants a chance to be even better