CATEGORIES

HISTORY IN THE SOWING

For Ben Thornton, the Young Grower it’s not just about the seed, it’s also the story behind the seed that inspires him

Slugs? Hosta la vista baby!

Hostas are slug magnets aren’t they, so why should we bother growing them at all? Well, there is a bit more to it than that, as Graham Rice explains

Honey traps

Banned chemicals are causing havoc with bees, says Val

Plan for more toms

Follow these simple tomato tips and you’ll be inundated with more tangy fruit than you can handle, promises Bob

Climbing the walls

A troublesome vine gives Toby pause to ponder why what grows up doesn’t always come down quite so easily

Tubers and cuttings

Make more plants for the summer ahead, says Ruth

How Can I Get Better Cobs?

A Sowing sweetcorn under cover in mid-April is text-book correct and should have given your plants sufficient time to yield well. This is a frost- tender crop, and shouldn’t be sown outdoors until around mid-May or planted out when likely to be exposed to late frosts. Some cultivars that are treated to ideal conditions will deliver two cobs per plant. However, as with all gardening, there can be pitfalls along the way.

Bulbs To Plant Now!

We’re now seeing the benefits of the bulbs we planted in autumn, but don’t stop there! It’s now time to plant for a fabulous summer says Camilla Phelps

Tough, Adaptable And Lovely... Bergenias

They are good ground-cover, low maintenance, have evergreen leaves, some of which turn to red, and some lovely coloured flowers, says Tamsin Hope Thompson

Getting In The Pink!

There are some great new dianthus to try, says Peter

Perk Up Your Perennials

‘Tis the season of dividing, planting and moving says Ruth

Tempting tender perennials

Now that plug plants are starting to arrive in garden centres it is tempting to go on a spree, but don’t buy without first planning how to use them says Anne Swithinbank

Undercover operations

Ruth looks at greenhouses and their smaller alternatives

The bird buffet

Better than any TV show is the view from Val’s window…

The perfect tool...

We’re forever hearing about the latest gardening gizmos but it pays to be creative with household tools, says Toby

Prep for spring

Don’t leave everything until the last dash – take time now to get your kit ready and save some aggro later, says Bob

Woodland Wonders

Most gardens have a shady area that can be difficult to make beautiful. The answer lies in the amazing woodland plants that just love to be in the shade says Camilla Phelps

For Bolder Borders Choose Dahlias

Varied and versatile yet surprisingly easy, colourful dahlias are a must-have flower for the summer garden. Louise Curley unearths the best options for different situations

Houseplant Gift Trends

Tastes change and new varieties last longer, says Peter

Give Dahlias A Head Start

Ruth starts prepping tubers for a long summer of colour

The Looming Price Of Brexit

Industry leaders talk of added expenses and uncertainty

Picture perfect!

Hopefully, I’ve not broken any copyright rules/regulations but as you can see from the attached photo, I’ve framed that beautiful picture on page 37 of the Christmas issue of AG.

Reminiscence and observation

Before the advent of news pages, AG had a column devoted to general horticultural topics past and present, written by various contributors. Here are some highlights…

Phantom menace

Gardening inevitably throws up a few surprises, but some hidden extras are quite ghoulish, as Toby explains…

Hedges for wildlife

You’d be amazed at the visitors to our hedges, says Val

Soldiers and Sailors

Pulmonarias are shade-tolerant, excellent for ground cover, blessed with a rich history and have garnered some charming common names, says Anne Swithinbank

CREATIVE COVERS!

In this month’s instalment of Gardening on a Budget, Stephanie Hafferty explores how you can keep your crops warm in spring, utilising a range of household materials

Rind graft technique

Want three varieties of apple but only have room for one tree? Maybe save a heritage species and enjoy a new variety? AG experts Steve and Val Bradley have the answer

CORNWALL, CABBAGES AND KEEPING IT TRADITIONAL

Fourth generation brassica growers Mark and Lowenna Arnold reveal the rationale underpinning their family business, Cornish Cabbage Plants, which produces bare rooted brassicas for the home gardener

Summer bulbs

Summer-flowering bulbs have such a great deal to offer in terms of colour, shape and drama. They should be planted as habitually as tulips, says Tamsin Hope Thompson