How to maintain a bird bath

Topiary is the term used to describe the pruning of plants to create bold shapes that have been popular since Roman times. These can be simple balls, cubes or pyramids, or complex lollipop trees, even shaped like chickens. Smaller topiary looks great in containers or borders, where clipped evergreens make a sharp contrast to colourful informal planting, in pairs to flank paths or gates, and as focal points. Box and yew are classic topiary plants: small-leaved, they respond well to shaping and

Chicory is a bitter-tasting, leafy vegetable. There are three different types: ‘forcing’ chicory, red chicory or radicchio and ‘non-forcing’ chicory. To force chicory you need a ‘forcing’ chicory, such as ‘Witloof’. To produce pale, crisp heads of tightly packed leaves, chicory needs to be forced into growth with the light excluded. This will also prevent them from tasting bitter. Forcing can be done in situ in the garden in early spring, but for winter harvests, lift the plants in autumn and

Regular watering is essential for summer bedding, vegetables, pots and hanging baskets as well as newly-planted trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. In this practical project, we explain how to water your plants efficiently to reduce reliance on mains water and help conserve this precious resource. You Will Need

Winter is a relatively quiet time in the garden, so it’s a good opportunity to get ahead with tool maintenance – although you can of course maintain your tools at any time of year. Pruning tools like secateurs and loppers will function better, last longer and be safer to use if clean, sharp and well-oiled.  Sharp blades cut cleanly, leaving a tidy wound on the plant which should heal fully and reduce the risk of disease affecting the plant. Keeping tools clean also guards against disease being s