CATEGORIES

Sowing sweet peas

Q Sweet peas are my favorite flowers, and I was delighted to receive some packets of seed for my birthday. Is it better to sow sweet peas in autumn or in spring? Connie Bedelia, Chipping Ongar, Essex

Thank you, AG readers

Peter’s pyramid is an oasis of colour at Chelsea show

Welcoming winter pots

Plant up containers now to create a cheering show, using flowers, foliage and scent, at the front door throughout winter, says Hazel Sillver

The clematis supremo

Delight to have plants blooming for Chelsea, says Peter

Plants left in the ground

A generous layer of mulch will insulate roots and tubers

Tender perennial care

It’s time to help tender varieties through winter, says Ruth

Winter moth prevention

Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits

Wishing on a Star…

What would you do for the right dahlia? Toby reveals how far he’ll go for one of his all-time floral favourites

Oranges and lemons

Try one of the following for citrus fragrance in your garden, says Christopher Lloyd

The cottage garden

A traditional cottage garden is just the ticket for Janet and Steve Howell’s 19th century home in Staffordshire, says Sue Bradley, as she explains the challenges they faced

Five-star gems

Cinquefoils, also known as potentillas, are floriferous perennials and shrubs that provide cottage-garden charm throughout the summer months, says Hazel Sillver

How To Add Colour In Autumn

If you want a hardworking perennial for autumn colour that thrives on neglect and provides food for insects, try planting hylotelephiums, says Louise Curley

Autumn Plant Recipes

It may be past summer, but you can still plant gorgeous containers to bring colour and beauty. Tamsin Hope Thomson offers three great ‘recipes’ and lots of tips

Lifting tender bulbs and tubers

It’s time to shelter those less hardy perennials, says Ruth

Alluring alliums

Alliums can be big, bold, purple-headed statements in a late-spring garden, yet they are simply ornamental onions. Anne Swithinbank selects the best varieties

A swarm of flowers

Tall and long flowering, sanguisorbas are wonderful border plants that look like a swarm of bees from a distance – and you can plant them now, says Hazel Sillver

Smart currant cutting

Now is a great time to take cuttings of currants, as Bob explains how to make even more soft fruit plants for free

Taking hardwood cuttings

Autumn is the ideal time to take hardwood cuttings, say Steve and Val Bradley, as they explain the best techniques to use if you want strong, healthy new plants

Keeping up with change

Some new varieties need a little explaining, says Peter

The glory of grasses

Prized for their structure and colour during autumn and winter, grasses are a fine addition to any border – and they can be planted now, says Hazel Sillver

Wildlife's biggest foes

Val picks wildlife threats she’d like to banish to Room 101

Better Broad Bean Planting

Q We love fresh broad beans and attempted to grow some earlier this season by buying plants. They went into good soil, but didn’t seem to take off and were attacked by blackfly. I’ve heard about autumn plantings. Do they work, and when do we sow? Monica Huggins, Camberwell, London

How To Revitalising Your Soil

Rest the ground and feed it for next year, says Ruth

A very different Chelsea

New varieties and innovations will feature, says Peter

Perfect store

Don’t risk losing your harvested crops due to oversight, says Bob – pick and store now so you enjoy them all

Fascinated by flycatchers

Val delights in her visiting spotted flycatcher friends…

A bulb for every situation

There’s a spring bulb for all occasions, says Ruth

On the move, or not!

Ruth lists things to consider before moving a woody plant

Miscellaneous matters

Extracts from 1889, 1916, 1950 and 1969 issues of AG, covering such issues as double anemones, potting up plants and the place of women in horticulture

Potting up bulb lasagne

Q As we only have a small outdoor space, I am tempted by the idea of lasagne bulb planting in a pot. Have you tried it, was it successful and have you any tips on planting the bulbs? Jenny Minchin, Swindon, Wiltshire