How to pinch out fuchsias

The easiest way to trim an established conifer hedge such as Thuja plicata is by using a powered hedge-trimmer to give a regular, even finish. Quick-growing conifers will need about three cuts per year during the growing season, at roughly eight week intervals. Inspect your hedge thoroughly before trimming it to ensure there are no birds nesting within. It’s an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built.

Bare patches can appear in your lawn after a thorough raking, where the grass is undernourished or where it’s been worn out. These gaps should be reseeded or returfed to prevent moss and weeds colonising the soil and to allow your lawn to look its best all year round. Looking for some great lawn care kit? Our experts have tested the best lawn mowers to buy, as well as the best scarifiers and best aerators. Learn how to repair a lawn patch in our step by step guide.

Autumn is a beautiful season in the garden, with many perennials, shrubs and trees providing some stunning colour. But once the leaves have fallen, they will need clearing up, especially from lawns, where they will smother the grass, and from paths and patios, where they may become slippery. It’s also a good idea to remove leaves from gravel, otherwise it will become messy. Discover 10 plants for autumn colour. Leave hedge bottoms untouched to provide shelter for garden wildlife. Be sure to

Not only is autumn the best season for new plants to get established, it’s also a great time to buy hedging plants as cheaper bare-root plants. Garden centres usually sell bare-root hedging plants root-wrapped in bundles of ten, or you can bulk order direct from nurseries. Bare-root plants become available in mid- to late autumn, so ground preparation is best in early autumn. Keep your hedges in fine fettle with our tips for pruning evergreen hedges and deciduous hedges. Discover how to plant