CATEGORIES
Best beautiful cosmos for your garden
An essential for the summer garden, cosmos are available in a range of colours and at a variety of heights. Hazel Sillver looks at both the annual and perennial species
Making new fruit bushes
Take hardwood cuttings before buds burst, says Ruth
Winter fragrance
Plant winter-flowering shrubs for fantastic scent, says Val
What's really in the bag?
The labelling of growing media is now vital, says Peter
Wonder walls
Make the most of your house walls, whatever their aspect, by introducing plants that add another dimension to your garden
Magical witch hazels
Witch hazels are unique shrubs that bring shape, colour and fragrance to your winter garden, says Louise Curley, and don’t forget they have fantastic autumn foliage, too
Plant a container-grown tree
Steve and Val Bradley explain how to plant a tree as part of the Green Canopy scheme
How to revive houseplants
We’ve had the sad task of clearing a relative’s house and have brought back a number of mature houseplants, including a Christmas cactus, a clivia and begonias.
Hot and spicy
Want to grow great chillies for spicy meals? Camilla Phelps reveals the best varieties, including heat ratings, sowing techniques, and tips and tricks for these hot plants
Go green for pocket and planet
Eco-gardening benefits more than your garden, says Ruth
Butterfly heaven
If you want your garden to be filled with scent and butterflies this summer, plant a buddleja now, says Hazel Sillver, as she reveals varieties for large and small gardens
Free seeds are back!
It’s time for sowing, says Ruth, starting with bright asters
Focus on... Growing chillies
If you crave crops with a real kick, now’s the time to start sowing your chilli peppers. Lucy Chamberlain shows you how to sow and grow fabulous, flavoursome chillies
Ice sculptures
The winter garden can be a true wonderland if you plan and plant to really make the most of the frost, says Graham Rice
Lost and found
Val is saddened by wildlife habitat loss due to HS2, but is cheered by the discovery of rare wild honey bees
On the rocks!
Create a drought-resistant gravel border to cut down on watering and enjoy a wealth of Mediterranean plants, says Hazel Sillver, as she reveals how to get started now
Plant a tree for Jubilee
Celebrate our Queen’s 70-year reign and help the planet
The beauty of snowdrops
Snowdrops may have tiny, delicate flowers, but they are remarkably strong, hardy and reliable plants. Tamsin Hope Thomson reveals some of her favourite varieties
The joy of figs
They are easy to grow and generous fruiters, says Ruth
Sweet spud success
If you haven’t yet tried this tastier, more nutritious alternative to potatoes, now’s your chance, says Bob
Think about perennials
They can be moved and split if the soil is right, says Ruth
Sweet memories…
The fragrant presence of Devon violets reminds Toby of bygone days and a violet trade that lifted people’s spirits
Spring blossom for wildlife
Plant fruiting trees and shrubs now, so your garden will be filled with beautiful snowy blossom that will provide valuable nectar for insects come spring, says Hazel Sillver
The indoor garden
Wintertime is when house plants and the benefits they bring really come to the fore, says Anne Swithinbank, as she selects a range of examples for every need
Late winter protection
It isn’t too late to secure your garden, says Ruth
What a jay day!
Val spots an exotic visitor at her garden bird station
Winter scent
Planting for winter scent will draw you back out into the garden, even on frosty mornings, says Camilla Phelps, as she looks at the best plants for winter fragrance
Sow soon for success
You can start sowing seeds now in a propagator or on a warm windowsill – and the sooner, the better, says Bob
Houseplant survival
Steve and Val Bradley explain the best techniques for looking after plants given as Christmas gifts
Get more from young trees
We planted them in nursery rows and if they weren’t sent out after a year or so, we would carefully dig them up for transplanting into a different part of the nursery.