Innehållsförteckning för Year Planner 2025 från BBC Gardeners' World

Get ready to make 2025 your best year in the garden. Whether that means creating beautiful borders, brightening up a doorstep with a few containers or growing something to eat, you’ll find all the help and advice you need in this special edition. Your month-by-month guide will keep you on track with handy checklists of essential tasks – always be on top of what to prune, sow, plant and harvest – and you’ll find space to make notes so you can record progress. Maybe it’s time to grow something new? If so, you’ll find our pick of star plants every month, all guaranteed to put on beautiful displays. And don’t worry if you’re tight on time or budget as we’ve included plenty of handy tips to make the most of…

Sow March to June Harvest September to March Kale played a key role in the Dig for Victory campaign during the Second World War, because it was so easy to grow. It also provided nutrients missing from diets due to rationing. It is packed with iron, calcium and folic acid and is high in vitamins A, C and K. It is also rich in lutein, an antioxidant that keeps eyes healthy. Try sprinkling the smallest, tenderest kale leaves raw on salads. Mature kale is a versatile vegetable, delicious in soups, with pasta or roasts, or simply steamed, shredded and fried in butter and garlic. HARVESTING Pick individual leaves when they are no more than 15cm long (the bigger they are, the tougher they get). Cut the whole central crown from…

Sow Feb-July Harvest Nov-May Hardy sprouting broccoli has been grown in Britain since the 18th Century, but it was initially known as ‘Italian asparagus’. It has extremely high levels of vitamin C, which protects cells and keeps them healthy, and vitamin K, which aids in blood clotting. Sauté it with strong flavours such as chilli, garlic and anchovy. HARVESTING When the flowering shoots are 15-20cm long, but before the flower buds open, by snapping off 8-10cm of their length. Regular cropping will encourage your plants to produce more spears. It will stand well in the garden if given protection from birds, especially when other food is scarce. Airflow is needed to keep it fresh, so refrigerate it in a ventilated bag for up to two days. For longer-term storage, blanch…

Protect shoots from frost Put temporary fleece covers over borderline-hardy plants if there’s frost or chilly weather forecast, to protect any new shoots that have already grown. It may only need to be on overnight, so make it as easy as possible to put on and take off. Use a light horticultural fleece that won’t snap vulnerable shoots. Use clothes pegs to attach it loosely on the branches or over a structure. Remove the fleece during the day unless the low temperature persists all day, or if there is a chilly wind. Plan plant supports Put plant supports around herbaceous clumps before they get too big and need unsightly staking with canes and string. Target heavy flowers such as peonies and plants with tall stems such as delphiniums. The foliage…

Plant Mar-Jun Harvest Mar-Oct Mint can help deter mice, and planted near roses, it may deter aphids. As well as the classic mint sauce, mint leaves make a great tea and can also be added to meat, fish, yoghurt, fruit and chocolate. Peppermint is antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic. It can be used to treat gastro-intestinal disorders and nervous headaches. The oil can be used in massage to relieve muscle pain. Although it will grow in shade, mint produces more leaves and oil in full sun, provided the soil holds moisture well. Take care as it can be invasive. HARVESTING: Pick the leaves for fresh use throughout the growing season. Leaves can be dried or frozen for storage. New leaves should appear from late March depending on how warm the…

Recycle lawn clippings Use lawn clippings to quickly heat up the compost heap. Mix them in with other materials – such as prunings and cardboard – to stop them becoming a soggy layer that blocks airflow and smells bad. The effect that this mix of soft, green material will have is really fast. The heap heats up as the bacteria get to work and speeds up decomposition. You can add more as it cools, but it’s best not to overload the heap with grass. Green waste should make up between a quarter to a half of the heap’s contents. Thin layers of clippings can also be used as a mulch around veg plants. Remove old growth from pond plants Take all rotting plant material – including dead leaves, branches and…

Sow Mar-Jul Harvest Apr-Sep These dainty roots are super quick to grow and add bite to a salad. Radishes were grown by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, and are likely to have been introduced to Britain by the Romans. They should be eaten raw and very fresh. The young leaves can be eaten, but should be cooked like spinach because the hairs can irritate the mouth. Radishes are rich in vitamin C and glucosinolates, which protect against cancer. They also increase bile, making it easier to digest fatty foods. Radishes should be avoided by people with an underactive thyroid or inflammatory digestive disorders. Sow from early spring, sowing short rows every 10-14 days for a continuous supply. Make a drill 1cm deep and sow thinly. Sift a light covering of…

Tie in clematis shoots Secure the new shoots of clematis to their frames or supports to stop them extending out and flowing into other plants, or potentially snapping. The vigorous growth of early summer can be unruly so this will ensure that the plant maintains a neat shape at flowering time. Clematis stems are quite brittle, so gently pull each shoot back to a point on the frame that it reaches without straining. Tie it in loosely and snip out some of the growth if it looks overcrowded. Water shrubs in pots Water trees and shrubs in pots now they are growing away fast. It’s important that they have a good water supply to keep them cool, as well as supporting growth. Place a large saucer under the pot to…

Sow Mar-Sep Harvest Mar-Oct Spring onions are easy to grow and don’t need much space, making them a perfect vegetable for interplanting between crops that take longer to produce a harvest. They also love cool conditions, so are ideal for growing over winter, as well as starting from seed in late winter for fresh early-summer growth. They are a useful salad vegetable and can be eaten raw or cooked, adding flavour to dishes such as omelettes and stir fries. As part of the onion family, they are high in antioxidants and good for gut health. HARVESTING Spring onions take about eight weeks to produce a crop after sowing. Loosen the soil before pulling them up. Spring onions last for four to five days in the fridge. OUR CHOICES ‘White Lisbon’;…

1 Sweet pea ‘Anne B Gilroy’ There are so many colours to choose from with sweet peas, they flower for ages and the scent is irresistibly summery. ‘Annie B Gilroy’ is a bright pink with a strong scent. Sow seeds before Christmas and keep them in a cold frame to plant out in early April. Flowers Jun-Sep Height x Spread 1.8m x 45cm 2 Malope trifida ‘Vulcan’ This is a colourful and easy hardy annual. Sow it in a sunny spot for flowers all summer. As well as adding colour in the border it’s good for cut flowers. It may need a bit of support. Sow direct outdoors in April or in seed trays indoors in March. F Jun-Sep H x S 90cm x 45cm 3 Papaver somniferum ‘Hungarian Blue’…

Weed around onions Keep onions clear of weeds so they can grow strongly. Doing this by hand is the best option – a hoe is likely to damage onions’ shallow roots, which spread out from the bulbs just under the soil surface. Work between the rows first, pulling out weeds by hand. Next, weed between the plants, holding the onions at the base with one hand while dragging the weeds out close to the bulb. If you do this weekly, weeds are never large enough to disturb the crop. Plant sweetcorn Choose a sunny spot to plant out sweetcorn, once the soil is warm and the day temperatures are high. Hold off if there’s a cool spell. Water the pots first, then plant in a group rather than in rows,…

1 Cosmos These annuals flower for months and are easy to grow from seed. Available in colours from white through to pink, they’re perfect for filling summer containers and gaps in the border. This variety ‘Seashells Mixed’ has trumpet shaped petals. Flowers Jun-Oct Height x Spread 90cm x 50cm 2 Lavender ‘Imperial Gem’ Lavenders come not in deep purple forms such as ‘Imperial Gem’, lilac shades and pink and white, too. They are worthy plants for any well drained border, with beautifully fragrant flowers and evergreen leaves that look good throughout the year. F Jun-Sep H x S 60cm x 45cm 3 Dahlia ‘Figaro Mixed’ July is the start of the dahlia season – a time that never fails to put a skip in the step of all lovers of…

Protect brassica crops with a net Protect brassicas from cabbage white butterfly, moths and pigeons by building frames and covering them with netting. Crops of kale, Brussels sprouts and winter cabbage should all be covered. Frames or hoops need to be about a metre high for sprouts and kale. Netting with holes of 5-7mm should be enough to stop the butterflies laying eggs on the crop. Make sure the netting is easy to get on and off, or weeding and picking will be tricky. Tidy up strawberry plants ■ Trim back excess runners that are developing on strawberry plants in pots. These new young plants have nowhere to root into outside the pot, so will be using energy from the main plant for support. ■ Trace the string-like runners back…

1 Echinacea pallida This echinacea is less showy than many as the petals hang in an elegant aurora. It’s very understated and refined, but makes a great contrast with showier flowers in the border. Best in full sun with decent drainage, especially to reduce the effects of winter wet, it is a good choice for a gravel garden.  Flowers Jun-Sep Height x Spread 1.2m x 50cm 2 Passiflora caerulea Passion flowers may look exotic but they are hardy and vigorous in most areas if sheltered from the worst winds. This climber flowers for a long period through summer into autumn. Plant in a sunny spot – a south-facing wall is ideal.  F Jul-Oct H x S 10m x 4m 3 Single dahlias Dahlias such as ‘Stargazer’ are invaluable in the…

Plant out young chard plants for winter Chard plants from seed sown this summer should be ready for planting, and doing so now helps roots to establish, so you can enjoy pickings through winter. This plant is happiest in moisture-retentive soil and full sun, though it copes with a bit of shade better than most veg. ■ Weed the area, then sprinkle over general fertiliser before raking it level. ■ Firm the soil along the row first. Soak the plants in their modules, then plant 10cm apart in rows spaced 45cm apart. ■ Firm them in well, then finish by giving them a good soak. Plant sprouting broccoli Plant sprouting broccoli now, to harvest from next January to May. Brassicas grow best in firm, freed raining soil that hasn’t been…

1 Alstroemeria Inticancha Maya Alstroemerias are excellent cut flowers, long-flowering border perennials and stars of patio containers. This variety is part of the Inticancha series and is a dwarf perennial that comes in many shades including bi-coloured ‘Maya’. Flowers May-Nov Height x Spread 40cm x 40cm 2 Rudbeckia subtomentosa ‘Henry Eilers’ Rudbeckias provide cheerful yellow daisies at the summer’s end, some very tall and others more modest. This one stands out because of the little roll to the petals. It works really well with other late-season perennials such as asters, heleniums and all the grasses. Full sun is best. Good for butterflies. F Aug-Oct H x S 1.2m x 60cm 3 Hydrangea ‘Zorro’ Hydrangeas come in two flower forms – mopheads, which have large, rounded flowerheads packed with four-petalled/ray florets…

1 Symphyotrichum novi-belgii A new name for asters, these cheerful flowers are a must have for autumn colour. They are also vital for pollinators, providing late season nectar. ‘Lady in Blue’ is a compact variety, good for containers, with double blue flowers. Flowers Aug-Nov Height x Spread 30cm x 30cm 2 Shrubby salvias These salvias are long-flowering, with a wide range of colours, and pollinators love them. They’re at their best in front of a west - or south-facing wall, but will grow well in warm, open gardens if sheltered from strong winds. ‘Cerro Potosi’ has vivid-magenta flowers set against dark green foliage. Good in pots. F May-Oct H x S 90cm x 75cm 3 Pheasant’s tail grass Anemanthele lessoniana provides structure and movement throughout the year, but this grass…

1 Boston ivy This climber is vigorous and does need to be controlled to stop it spreading into gutters but it’s beautiful at this time of year when temperatures drop and the leaves turn every colour from claret to crimson. Parthenocissus tricuspidata has three lobes to each leaf, not to be confused with Virginia creeper (P. quinquefolia) which has five lobes. Height x Spread 20m x 10m 2 Miscanthus These tall, elegant grasses reach their peak at this time of year, with silky plumes swaying above a fountain of arching foliage that matures to various shades of soft yellow, beige and copper. ‘Red Chief’ has deep red plumes that fade to silver and last through winter. Flowers Aug-Nov H x S 1.5m x 1m 3 Abutilon ‘Orange Hot Lava’ This…

Enjoy early parsnips Start picking parsnips after you’ve had a frost, when they will be sweet and ready to eat. To dig them up, use a fork, inserting it a little way from the plants, parallel with the row. Lever up the parsnips and if they resist, go deeper so you get the whole root out without snapping it. The rest of the row can safely be left in the ground to keep you in parsnips through to spring. Keep harvesting salad Keep harvesting salad leaves such as cut-and-come-again lettuce, rocket, mustard and mizuna. Make sure you only harvest the outer leaves, to have plenty of salad for the kitchen in the weeks to come by. These plants will grow gently, growing from the centre to keep you supplied with…

1 Sorbus ‘Eastern Promise’ You cannot fail to love a rowan: a froth of white flowers in spring, fabulous colour in autumn and glorious berries. And it’s not just about you – a fortune can be saved in birdseed if you have a sorbus in your garden because the berries are highly nutritious. This tree will suit most garden sizes and it’s tolerant of pollution. Flowers Apr-May Height x Spread 6m x 4m 2 Ilex aquifolium ‘Silver Milkmaid’ Holly is a useful, architectural evergreen shrub that grows well in most gardens. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without it. There are many variegated types, such as ‘Silver Milkmaid’ which can brighten gloomy borders. A large holly is easily pruned into a more manageable size. F May-Jun H x S 6m x 4m…

Monthly round up… January is a good month to get essential pruning done, as well as plan for spring planting. At this cold time of year, with few berries around, it’s also a key month to feed birds and ensure your bird bath is free of ice. Prune ■ Autumn-fruiting raspberries ■ Climbing roses ■ Fruit bushes – gooseberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants ■ Grapevines – before sap starts rising ■ Wisteria Plant ■ Bare-root fruit trees and bushes ■ Bare-root hedging and trees ■ Bare-root roses ■ Evergreen shrubs ■ Garlic ■ Shallots (under cover) ■ Winter bedding (violas, cyclamen, heathers) Sow Indoors ■ Begonias ■ Cabbages ■ Chillies ■ Lettuce ■ Lobelia ■ Onions ■ Pelargoniums ■ Spinach ■ Sweet peas Harvest ■ Brussels sprouts ■ Cabbages ■ Cavolo…

Refresh containers Add hardy flowering cyclamen to your winter pots to fill any gaps and brighten up the display. You’ll find several types in all shades, from deep red to pinks and white. Go for those that survive outdoors – you’ll find the tender ones in the house plant department. Cyclamen do best in moisture-retentive compost and out of full sun. Use a trowel to make a hole and press in the rootball firmly before watering the compost to settle them in. Pot up lily bulbs Choose a deep pot to plant up some lily bulbs for summer. To plant several bulbs you will need a pot that’s wide enough to leave a 5cm space between each bulb. For single bulbs, the pot should ideally be roughly double the diameter…

This month’s round up… February is a key month to finish pruning roses and late-summer flowering shrubs such as buddleia, but it’s also a good time to plant bare-root perennials and trees, and order plants for any new borders or planting displays. Prune ■ Buddleias – cut back hard ■ Deciduous hedges ■ Hardy fuchsias ■ Late-flowering clematis ■ Old, overgrown shrubs ■ Roses – bush, shrub and climbers Plant ■ Jerusalem artichokes ■ Lily of the valley ■ Potted bulbs in flower ■ Rhubarb ■ Shallots ■ Summer-flowering bulbs Sow Indoors ■ Chillies ■ Leeks ■ Sweet peas ■ Tomatoes Outdoors ■ Broad beans ■ Carrots ■ Salad onions Harvest ■ Brussels sprouts ■ Cabbages ■ Forced rhubarb ■ Kale ■ Parsnips ■ Purple sprouting broccoli ■ Swiss chard…

Plant a seasonal pot This container will bridge the gap between winter and spring with its colourful, scented plants. The witch hazel (hamamelis) takes centre stage, bursting with fragrant flowers, while variegated ivy tumbles over the side. Both are useful for wildlife, offering nectar and shelter. The evergreen euonymus, with its white-tipped leaves, will brighten even the darkest corner and provide year-round foliage when swapping seasonal flowers. There’s a huge range of primulas to choose from – plant in flower now to enjoy until spring, then move to a spot under a tree. Add a few snowdrops too, then transplant after flowering to naturalise in dappled shade and provide early nectar for pollinators. WE USED ■ Hamamelis mollis x 1 ■ Euonymus japonicus ‘Kathy’ x 2 ■ Galanthus nivalis x…

This month’s round-up… It’s a good month to start sowing, but test your soil to check it’s warm enough first. While you’re out getting on with the month’s garden tasks, look out for robins pairing up ready for nesting, and hairy-footed flower bees visiting primulas. Prune ■ Damaged branches on trees & shrubs ■ Dogwoods (cornus) ■ Elderberry ■ Hardy fuchsias ■ Lavender ■ Mahonia ■ Roses (last chance) Plant ■ Asparagus ■ Jerusalem artichokes ■ New roses ■ Strawberries ■ Summer bulbs ■ Trees, shrubs and climbers Sow Indoors ■ Basil ■ Beetroot ■ Celeriac ■ Cucumbers ■ Lettuces ■ Parsley Outdoors ■ Broad beans ■ Carrots ■ Leeks ■ Parsnips ■ Peas ■ Turnips ■ Hardy annuals ■ Sweet peas Harvest ■ Cabbages ■ Cauliflowers ■ Forced rhubarb…

Last chance to prune bush roses ■ Shrub roses should be lightly pruned. Using a clean pair of secateurs, thin out some of the stems and reduce the height of all others by a third. Cut above a bud that faces in the direction you want the new growth to take. Shrub roses vary in habit, so be careful not to ruin the shape. If there are arching stems, tip these back lightly and cut back the lateral shoots further instead. ■ Prune hybrid tea roses back to outward facing buds to keep the centre of the plant open, leaving just a third of their height. Tidy up perennials Give low-growing perennials such as alchemilla a quick tidy-up before growth really gets under way. The old stalks where last year’s…

This month’s round up… For those with ponds, look out for newts and tadpoles while clearing out leaves and debris this month. Also be on the look out for chiff chaffs and orange tip butterflies as you get on with weeding and sowing vegetables. Prune ■ Fig trees ■ Hardy evergreens ■ Hydrangea paniculata ■ Ornamental quince (chaenomeles) – after flowering ■ Penstemons ■ Untidy ferns Plant ■ Potted perennials ■ Potatoes – early and maincrop varieties ■ Summer-flowering bulbs ■ Sweet pea seedlings Sow Indoors ■ Courgettes ■ Cucumbers ■ French beans ■ Pumpkins ■ Runner beans ■ Sweetcorn Outdoors ■ Brussels sprouts ■ Leeks ■ Lettuces ■ Spinach Harvest ■ Asparagus ■ Beetroot ■ Radishes ■ Rhubarb ■ Salad leaves ■ Spring onions Key task Water tulips in…

Divide agapanthus Established clumps of agapanthus can be divided now that they are actively shooting. Do this every three years to keep them vigorous. Either lift the whole clump out and pull it apart into smaller clumps of bulbs, or cut through it in the border with a spade. This may damage a bulb or two, but makes the job easy and they so will soon recover. Pot into loam based compost or plant back into the border, adding extra compost to the hole and giving them more room. Keep well watered until flowering. Look after sweet peas ■ Check on newly planted sweet pea plants and add them to your watering routine. Water when water compost is dry. Avoid watering already damp compost, particularly when plants are young. ■…

This month’s round up… You may see sparrows, starlings and blue tits in your garden, looking for grubs for their young. A key task this month is keeping bird baths topped up. It’s also time to sow annual vegetables and flowers and plant up pots. Prune ■ Clematis (early, spring-flowering types) ■ Evergreen shrubs ■ Pyracanthas ■ Spring-flowering shrubs Plant ■ Dahlia tubers in pots ■ Hardened-off seedlings of leeks and cabbages ■ Summer bedding into borders and containers – after the last frost ■ Summer hanging baskets to grow on under cover Sow Indoors ■ Courgettes ■ Cucumbers ■ Pumpkins Outdoors ■ Annuals ■ Chard and spinach ■ French and runner beans ■ Peas ■ Salad leaves ■ Sprouting broccoli ■ Sweetcorn Harvest ■ Asparagus ■ Baby beetroot ■…

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Give borders an early summer tidy A few simple tasks this month will keep your borders fresh and full of flowers for the rest of summer and beyond. Lots of garden borders are at their peak in June, but in July they can end up looking tired if plants are untended now. Removing spent flowers, weeds, wayward stems and old foliage will instantly improve a border, and there is plenty of time for fresh new growth and flowers to take their place and give the border a new lease of life. ■ Keep deadheading roses to encourage more blooms. Snip them back to just above the nearest leaf to keep them tidy and improve the shape of the plant. ■ Prop up plants that are struggling to support themselves. Use…

Plant Mar-May, Aug-Oct Harvest May-Aug Strawberries are one of the most eagerly anticipated crops of the year and are as much a part of the British summer as, well, rain at Wimbledon. Our true strawberry season begins in late May, peaks in June and July and lasts until about the end of August. Nothing beats the sweet fragrance and taste of strawberries grown in your own garden, and they’re also rich in vitamin C. HARVEST Wait until the berries are fully red before picking, as ripening stops once strawberries have been harvested. Pinch through the stalks with your finger and thumb to avoid bruising the fruit. Strawberries can be stored, unwashed, in the fridge for a few days but they don’t last long. OUR CHOICES ‘Honeoye’, Christine’, ‘Elegance’, ‘Cambridge Vigour’…

Prepare plants for holidays Soak potted plants thoroughly before you go away on holiday and stand them in a saucer or tray so that if there is any rain, some moisture is available. You could fill the saucer too, so there is a supply of water for a day or two. Check the forecast and if you’re expecting bright, sunny days, move them all into shade to reduce water loss. You could also cut off some off the oldest lower leaves to reduce water loss. Reduce rose diseases Pick off faded leaves of roses, particularly if showing signs of blackspot. Look for them on the ground too and pick all of them up. The spores of fungal diseases such as mildew and blackspot will persist on fallen leaves around the…

Sow Apr-Jul Harvest Jun-Oct Originating from Central and South America, Phaseolus vulgaris was brought to Europe in the 16th century by Christopher Columbus and subsequently became very popular in France. Green pods are most common, but there are yellow, purple and cream varieties too. This bean group also includes haricot and flageolet types, which are grown to produce dried beans. French beans are rich in many nutrients including vitamins A and B, iron and folic acid. HARVEST Pick when at least 8cm long, once the pods snap easily but before the seeds inside start to swell, except with haricot or flageolet beans. Harvest regularly to encourage heavier crops, and don’t leave over-mature pods on the plants, even if they have spoiled. Freeze whole beans when just picked, while they are…

Feed exotic plants Give exotic plants in pots a feed to boost their energy levels and keep them happy. Fast growers such as ginger lilies (hedychium), castor oil plant (ricinus) and Chinese rice paper plant (tetrapanax) will have exhausted all the nutrients in the compost, which means they are now dependent on you for nourishment. To keep in the habit of feeding for the rest of the growing season, add a half-strength liquid food to your watering can each time you water your plants. Use a high potassium feed such as tomato food for flowering plants and an all purpose feed for foliage plants. Start forcing festive bulbs You can have spring flowers by Christmas if you plant bulbs now. Look for ‘prepared’ bulbs, which have been given a period…

Sow Feb-Jun Harvest Jul-Oct Full of flavour and easy to grow, it’s no surprise tomatoes are such a popular crop. Growing basil nearby may help improve the flavour of tomatoes, while borage could help to deter tomato hornworm. Tomatoes are good for the skin and rich in potassium. They may also protect the cardiovascular system and colon, and may help ward off some cancers – particularly prostate. They have properties that could reduce the risk of heart disease and blood clots and lower cholesterol. Eat raw or cook in pasta sauces, stews and casseroles to boost the available antioxidants and make them easier to absorb. HARVESTING Leave tomatoes on the plant so that they can ripen naturally as this improves the flavour as they will sit happily on the plant…

Remove tree seedlings Pull or dig out tree seedlings before they grow their long tap root that makes them hard to dig out without disturbing other plants. Tree seedlings can germinate under other foliage or at the base of shrubs, so you may not have spotted them before, particularly in areas you don’t often cultivate. Remove before they are a problem. Add pond nets Pull a net out over your pond before the leaves begin to fall. Even if you have no overhanging trees they can be blown across into the water. Tree and shrub leaves decomposing in the water leads to deoxygenation, which can kill fish and plants. Black netting is the least visually intrusive option and you can lift it off easily to get rid of fallen leaves.…

Sow Jan-Apr Harvest Jul-Sep Aubergines can be grown in a greenhouse or a sheltered, sunny spot outdoors. Sown indoors, the young plants can be moved outside in late May or early June once the danger of frost is over. The fruits are delicious, roasted, fried or grilled, and make a versatile ingredient for dishes such as curries or ratatouille. Aubergines are high in antioxidants such as nasunin, because of the purple skins of the fruits, as well as a good source of fibre. HARVESTING Aubergines need a long growing season and should be ready to start harvesting between July and September, depending on when the seed was sown, and how warm the summer has been. They are ripe when they are firm, plump and glossy. Once fruits start to lose…

Plant hellebores Hellebores planted in a shady border will add strong texture all year and reliable flowers for late winter colour. Some modern hellebores can grow well in sun too but they’re really valuable used in shade. Leave the pots to soak in a bucket of water while you dig a hole, then mix plenty of garden compost to the base of the hole before planting them. Tidy the greenhouse Give your greenhouse a clean and tidy, ready for the coming winter. Sweep up any spilled compost and plant debris that could otherwise harbour insect pests and fungal diseases, which thrive in low light conditions. Get a bucket of soapy water and a cloth to wipe down the framework, staging, benches, and containers. Make leafmould Make some valuable free soil…

Sow Apr-May Harvest Oct-Nov Squash can be eaten steamed, added to casseroles, roasted with fresh herbs or lightly fried to form the base for a mouth watering soup. It’s high in fibre and beta carotene, which is good for eye health. If your garden is north of the Midlands or in a cold spot, it’s worth choosing an early cropping variety so the fruits have time to ripen properly before the first frosts. Winter squash are hungry crops, but they’re not difficult to grow, and in all but very cold summers they are seriously rewarding. HARVESTING Raise the fruits off the ground on to a brick or tile. Allow the skins to harden in the sun so the fruits will store better. This helps them to ripen properly and keeps…

Save tree seeds Now is the time to collect seeds from trees and shrubs. To harvest the seeds from berries, mash them in water to remove the flesh, and let the seeds sink to the bottom. Then simply dry them off. ■ Split open the ripe fruits. Wear gloves, or wash your hands thoroughly after handling, as all parts of this plant (spindle, above) are toxic. ■ Pull off the seeds one by one. Discard damaged ones. Viable seeds feel firm. ■ Pour clean sharp sand into a clear plastic bag and dampen it, then mix in the seeds. Spindle seeds need eight weeks at room temperature, then up to eight in a fridge. Then sow in loam based compost topped with grit. Prune cornus Help shrubs grown for their…

Sow Feb-May, Oct-Dec Harvest May-Mar Cauliflower heads, or curds, are actually immature flowers. Most are white or cream, but there are also purple or orange varieties. Plants need lots of space, unless you grow ‘mini’ types. Romanesco types are actually a broccoli that looks like a cauliflower, with spiralling white or green florets. Caulis are a good source of vitamins C, K and B complex, and minerals including potassium, and are low in calories. HARVESTING Cut the stem using a sharp knife once the curd is sufficiently large and still firm, and before it develops individual florets. In summer, fold outer leaves over developing curds to protect them from hot sun. Use caulis fresh or break into pieces after harvesting, blanch and freeze. Sow batches every few weeks for a…

Collect stems for Christmas Make natural seasonal decorations for free by gathering your own greenery from the garden. Cut any berried stems before they get stripped by the birds. Prepare cut stems by putting them straight into a bucket of water kept at room temperature for a couple of hours, then cut them all again and crush the ends before giving them another soak in fresh water. If you plan to keep them for a longer period, plunge the stems into a jam jar of one part glycerine to two parts hot water and leave for two weeks. This will help keep them fresh for longer. What to collect ■ Cotoneaster branches ■ Myrtle with black berries ■ Dogwood ■ Pyracantha (look out for thorns) ■ Holly with berries or…

Cover veg beds with compost Warm yourself up by spreading homemade compost on your veg beds. Fork a deep layer onto the bare soil and between any winter crops. There’s no need to dig it in, as it will be worked on by bugs and worms, who will draw it into the soil. This will improve the soil’s structure and add a small amount of nutrients. Remove larger figs The small hard figs that didn’t have time to ripen by the end of summer should be removed from fig trees to avoid them getting frosted and rotting. Snap off just the larger figs lower down on the stems. Leave the tiny figs forming at the nodes above these on the newest growth and at the tips, as they’ll be next…

Sow Mar-May Harvest Aug-Mar Brussels sprouts get their name because they were orginally grown in gardens near to the Belgian capital. Despite having a reputation as an unpopular vegetable, apparently, Britons eat more Brussels sprouts than any other nation in Europe. Brussels sprouts are a great source of folic acid, vitamins B2, A and K, and minerals. They’re also a rich source of cancer preventing chemicals, and are particularly helpful at protecting against colon cancer. HARVEST Pick from late summer to late-winter when those at the base are walnut shaped, tightly closed and about 2-3cm in diameter. Start at the bottom of the stem and work upwards. Snap them off or use a knife, cutting in a downward motion. Remove ‘blown’ sprouts and any diseased leaves as you go. Store…

1 Daphne bholua ‘Gurkha’ There is a daphne for most situations – this is one of the larger varieties. The flowers are pleasantly pink but that is not the main reason for growing this shrub. It‘s the sweet scent wafting through the crisp winter air. Give it some shade, and shelter from cold winds. Flowers Jan-Feb Height x Spread 2m x 1.5m 2 Lonicera x purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’ Winter honeysuckle is a deciduous shrub with scented flowers on bare branches from late winter. The flowers are a good source of nectar for early bumblebees when not many other plants are in flower. The green foliage appears later, as the weather warms up. F Dec-Mar H x S 2m x 2.5m 3 Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’. Dwarf conifers are hardy and…

Start chitting potatoes First early potatoes will usually be planted between mid March and mid April, depending on your location, so now can be a good time to start chitting them in preparation. Place them upright in an egg box with space between them, with the old withered stem facing down and emerging chits or buds near the top. Keep them somewhere light and cold but frost-free for six weeks. It’s best to have them up on a bench out of reach of hungry vermin. Check brassica netting Make sure brassica netting is weighed down properly around beds to protect crops. Brassicas are one of the few crops that you can keep picking through the ‘hungry gap’ until spring crops are ready, but pigeons will make a beeline for them…

1 Hellebore ‘Silver Dollar’ Hellebores are subtle but come in many shades, from pure white through to rich plum. Helleborus x sternii ‘Silver Dollar’ has cream-green flowers and self-seeds freely but seedlings seldom match the parent. The secret with hellebores is to try and raise them up a bit, as the flowers hang down and are best viewed from below. Flowers Dec-Mar Height x Spread 40cm x 40cm 2 Salix gracilistyla ‘Mount Aso’ This shrub, also known as Japanese pussy willow, is a striking addition to a winter border, with catkins that turn from grey to jelly bean red during winter. These stems are good for flower arrangements. Prune at the end of winter for vibrant new growth. F Apr-May H x S 4m x 4m 3 Cynara cardunculus Cardoons…

Tidy up your strawberry bed Sort out your strawberry patch in preparation for this year’s crop. Cut off the dead leaves on each plant, as the green centre will soon sprout into growth. Then use a trowel to lift out any weeds. Also remove any vigorous runners that will compete for space with the established plants, relocating them to fill any gaps or extend the bed. Sprinkle a granular general feed around the plants to support the new growth. Organise pots and trays Prepare yourself for the growing season by tidying up while things are quiet, as sowing starts in earnest next month. Go through stacks of pots, trays and labels and wash what you need, recycling anything that you don’t. Find recycling schemes to pass any excess pots and…

1 Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii This evergreen perennial has striking lime green flowers in early spring. It’s height and architectural shape add interest to the border year round, and once established it’s drought tolerant. It also makes an attractive backdrop for spring bulbs such as tulips. Flowers Mar-Jul Height x Spread 1.2m x 1.2m 2 Scilla siberica Siberian squill are perfect for naturalising beneath deciduous trees and shrubs, where their blue flowers will light up the ground in early spring. These flowers are tough and low-maintenance. F Mar-Apr H x S 20cm x 5cm 3 Perennial wallflowers Perennial wallflowers such as Erysimum cheiri ‘Sunset Primrose’ and erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’ are both drought tolerant, prolific flowering plants, which provide rich colour from spring through to early summer. Both will suit either…

1 Clematis ‘Apple Blossom’ A trailer for the real apple blossom that comes next month. This is one of those climbers that will stop you in your tracks, as not only is it freckled with perfect pink blossoms, it also has attractive, evergreen leaves. The flowers also look fabulous in a vase. Grow it out of cold winds. Flowers Mar-Apr Height x Spread 5m x 4m 2 Chocolate vine Akebia quinata is a semi-evergreen climber with attractive red to purple, sometimes described as chocolate coloured, flowers. These have a spicy, vanilla scent. Its leaves provide good coverage for a wall for fence, taking on a purple tint in autumn and winter, although in cold weather the plant may lose its foliage. Its ideal for a warm spot, such as south…

1 Camassia leichtlinii The bulbs of blue camassia hail from the prairies of North America. This tall early summer-flowering perennial does well in slightly damp (not waterlogged) soil, as long as it is not too shady. Plant bulbs in the autumn. Flowers May-Jun Height x Spread 1.2m x 50cm 2 Geranium ‘Rozanne’ Flowering through summer into autumn, this hardy geranium is a border stalwart. It provides easy ground cover inbetween shrubs and perennials with its violet blue flowers brightening summer displays for months on end. F Jun-Oct H x S 60cm x 80cm 3 Deutzia x elegantissima ‘Rosealind’ This is one of those shrubs that, due to the vagaries of fashion, has fallen from grace over the past couple of decades, but perhaps it deserves more attention. It flowers well…

Harden off tomatoes Move tomato plants outside during the day to ready them for planting out. Make sure they are sheltered and take them inside at night. A cold frame with a lid is ideal and saves moving plants – just open and shut the lid. Gradually extend the period of time the plants are outside or the lid is open, until they are okay being left out all the time. Keep watering and if leaves pucker, don’t worry, they’ll soon grow through it. After 10-14 days they are ready for planting if frosts are over. Plant out lettuce seedlings Plant some lettuce plugs outside now that they’ve had a chance to acclimatise to the warmer weather. Soak the roots thoroughly before you plant them into the bed. Unlike hearting…

This month’s round up… June is a good time to plant up a summer container. If you include plants that will attract pollinators and butterflies, you may also see long-tailed tits in your garden, as they feed on the eggs of moths and butterflies. Prune ■ Alpines ■ Evergreen shrubs and hedges ■ Gooseberries and currants ■ Grapevines ■ Lilac – after flowering ■ Spring-flowering shrubs ■ Topiary Plant ■ Brassicas ■ Leek seedlings ■ Summer bedding ■ Tender exotics such as bananas, cannas, colocasia, tithonias ■ Tender veg, such as chillies, courgettes, peppers, tomatoes Sow ■ Beetroot ■ French beans ■ Kale ■ Pak choi ■ Peas ■ Radishes ■ Salads ■ Spinach ■ Tender flowers ■ Turnip Harvest ■ Asparagus ■ Baby carrots ■ Broad beans ■ Cherries…

This month’s round up.. Look out for baby sparrows when you’re out in the garden this month, searching for insects and larvae. They’ll feed on aphids too, so not using chemicals to get rid of these pests will help encourage more birds into your garden. Prune ■ Apples and pears ■ Cherry trees – after fruiting ■ Gooseberries ■ Rambling roses – after flowering ■ Redcurrants and whitecurrants Plant ■ Bedding plants ■ Calabrese ■ Courgettes ■ Herbs ■ Leeks ■ Winter brassicas Sow ■ Biennial flowers ■ Calabrese ■ Carrots ■ Chicory ■ Chinese cabbages ■ Florence fennel ■ French and runner beans ■ Pak choi ■ Radishes ■ Spring cabbages ■ Turnips Harvest ■ Beetroot ■ Carrots ■ Courgettes ■ Garlic ■ Onions ■ Peas ■ Potatoes ■…

Add butterfly friendly plants Attract more butterflies to your garden with a boost of flower power. Planting a wide range of different flowers will enrich the diversity of insect visitors and create a healthy ecosystem. July can be hot and dry, so water your new plants regularly until they’re growing away strongly. Plants in containers need more water than those in the ground and are best moved into a little shade if there’s a heatwave. The examples below are all drought tolerant once their roots are well established. ■ Give eryngiums a sunny position with very good drainage. These striking silvery-blue plants with thistle like flowers do best in poor soil, so a gravel garden is ideal, but most free draining garden soils will suit. ■ Choose a very sunny,…

This month’s round up… This is a good month to add more pollinator friendly plants if your garden is looking a bit sparse, because butterflies and hoverflies will be looking for nectar and pollen before they enter hibernation, migrate or die. Prune ■ Early summer flowering shrubs ■ Hedges ■ Honeysuckle (climbing) ■ Lavender – after flowering ■ Rambling roses ■ Wisteria Plant ■ Autumn-flowering bulbs ■ Heathers ■ Potted chrysanthemums ■ Salad seedlings ■ Strawberry runners ■ Winter brassicas, such as kale Sow ■ Corn salad ■ Hardy annuals ■ Onions ■ Oriental vegetables ■ Radishes ■ Rocket ■ Spring cabbages ■ Winter lettuce Harvest ■ Beetroot ■ Chillies ■ Courgettes ■ French and runner beans ■ Herbs ■ Raspberries ■ Summer squashes ■ Sweetcorn ■ Tomatoes Key task…

Add late colour to borders Plant some later-flowering perennials, such as this pretty crocosmia, to improve areas that are lacking in colour as the season progresses. There is plenty of choice: asters, chrysanthemums, heleniums and rudbeckias will all flower on for weeks yet. Make sure there is enough space between plants and mix compost into the planting hole. Give the plant a good soaking, then once in place, firm the soil around the rootball and water again. Add mulch to help hold moisture at the roots. Tidy up roses Snip the old flowers off roses that have finished flowering. Use secateurs or snips to cut back weak flower stems and tidy the shape of the plant by heading back old flower stems that have extended beyond the canopy. Cut these…

This month’s round up… While you’re busy tidying or saving seeds, look out for hedgehogs before they hibernate and common carder bumblebees, one of the last bumblebees on the wing. Workers may be almost bald from visiting tubular flowers. Prune ■ Blackberries ■ Hedges ■ Hybrid berries ■ Summer-flowering shrubs – after flowering ■ Summer-fruiting raspberries Plant ■ Autumn-flowering heathers ■ Fruit trees and bushes ■ Ornamental cabbages ■ Potted cyclamen ■ Spring bulbs ■ Strawberry runners Sow ■ Hardy annuals ■ Japanese onions ■ Oriental leaves ■ Spinach ■ Winter lettuce Harvest ■ Autumn cabbages ■ Autumn raspberries ■ Chillies and sweet peppers ■ Courgettes ■ Kale ■ Maincrop potatoes ■ Peaches ■ Tomatoes ■ Tree fruit, such as apples and pears Key task Check crops regularly to ensure…

This month’s round up… While working in borders this month, you may spot peacock butterflies and queen wasps on the wing. Also look out for the red admiral butterfly – it normally migrates to the continent, but increasing numbers are staying here. Prune ■ Blackberries and hybrid berries ■ Blackcurrants (young plants) ■ Cotton lavender (santolina) ■ Lavatera – to tidy up uneven growth ■ Rosemary ■ Roses – to avoid windrock Plant ■ Autumn bedding ■ Conifer hedges ■ Containerised roses ■ Garlic cloves ■ Onion sets ■ Spring cabbages Sow Indoors ■ Hollyhocks ■ Oriental poppies ■ Sweet peas Outdoors ■ Green manure ■ Hardy broad beans ■ Hardy peas Harvest ■ Autumn cabbages ■ Beetroot ■ Carrots ■ Leeks ■ Parsnips ■ Perpetual spinach Key task Leave…

Harvest the last cut flowers It’s time to gather the last of the cut flowers. Early morning is the best time to cut. Use secateurs and cut low down to get a long stem. Put all the stems into a tall bucket full of water for a few hours, to take up as much moisture as possible and lengthen vase life. Strip the lower leaves off before trimming the end and putting in a vase. Sow a patch of wildflowers It’s easy to turn even the smallest bit of bare ground into a wildflower patch. Now is a good time to sow, while the soil still has some warmth. Scatter the seeds evenly on to weed free soil, water with a fine spray and cover with netting until seedlings appear.…

This month’s round up… Look out for young foxes as you’re planting bulbs this autumn. They don’t hibernate and will be exploring and foraging for food. Late butterflies and other insects will enjoy any windfallen fruit left on the ground. Prune ■ Autumn-fruiting raspberries ■ Bare-root roses (before planting) ■ Climbing roses ■ Deciduous trees and shrubs (except cherries and plums) ■ Fruit bushes ■ Grapevines Plant ■ Bare-root fruit bushes, hedging, roses, trees and shrubs ■ Garlic ■ Hellebores ■ Indoor hyacinths ■ Tulip bulbs ■ Winter-flowering heathers ■ Winter pansies Sow ■ Cyclamen – for blooms next winter ■ Hardy peas ■ Salad leaves – on a well-lit windowsill ■ Sprouting seeds – indoors Harvest ■ Brussels sprouts ■ Cabbages ■ Carrots ■ Cauliflowers ■ Jerusalem artichokes ■…

Grow hyacinths Specially prepared hyacinth bulbs are available now, to plant immediately. These treated bulbs will flower in 10-12 weeks. You don’t even need any compost. They are best grown in hyacinth vases, which are wider at the base than the top to help stop the plant toppling over as it grows. Check the bulbs are firm and that there is no ‘give’ in them. Fill the vase with water up to the narrow part of the vase so that the bottom of the bulb sits just above the water. Place the bulb on the top of the vase and take water out of the vase if the base of the bulb is touching the water. Keep your vase in a cool, dark place until it has filled with roots…

This month’s round up… Most wildlife is hibernating this month but you may see waxwings, which have a distinctive crest. They eat berries and fallen fruits. It’s a good time to review your garden to see what else could be added to attract wildlife next year. Prune ■ Apples and pears ■ Autumn-fruiting raspberries ■ Blackcurrants ■ Climbing roses ■ Deciduous trees ■ Gooseberries ■Greenhouse grapevines ■ Wisterias Plant ■ Amaryllis (hippeastrum) bulbs – indoors ■ Bare-root roses ■ Deciduous shrubs and trees ■ Evergreen shrubs in containers ■ Tulips ■ Winter bedding Sow Indoors ■ Corn salad (lamb’s lettuce) ■ Mustard greens Outdoors (under cloches) ■ Hardy broad beans Harvest ■ Brussels sprouts ■ Celeriac ■ Celery ■ Kale ■ Leeks ■ Parsnips ■ Perpetual spinach ■ Swiss chard…

Place forced bulbs on show As they start the process of budding up, place forced bulbs into their final position to enjoy the festive display and make maximum advantage of scented flowers. A table in a well-lit dining area is a good choice. Choose a cool, bright spot and avoid placing them near radiators, woodburners or fires because the flowers are likely to go over quickly in very warm rooms with dry air. Have thin green canes and clips ready for supporting any stems that start to flop over as the flowers develop. Trim and store pelargoniums Get free summer colour for next year’s container displays by storing your pelargoniums through winter. Use a trowel to lift them out, or alternatively just tip out the container on a tarpaulin, then…