Amateur Gardening

Since 1884 Amateur Gardening has been the gardening ‘Bible’ for serious gardeners from all walks of life. With unrivalled levels of practical content written by seasoned experts, it remains the only media brand to win a coveted gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show. We are passionate about all things horticultural and are dedicated to producing informative content that gives accurate and helpful advice. Amateur Gardening is a trusted fortnightly companion, offering guidance and advice for all green-fingered projects.

Editor’s Letter

Autumn price round-up • AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands

Lightweight gardening tools

Create a winter container • There are as many options as in summer, says Ruth

Winter moth prevention • Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits

A bolt from the blue! • Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase, says Ruth

What’s On

To dig or not to dig? • Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the ‘autumn dig’ debate

Strange sightings • Three unusual insects turn up in Val’s garden in one day

Focus on… Fruit in pots • The health of your potted edibles is paramount at this time of year. Whether you’re buying, planting up or potting up, make potted fruit a priority, says Lucy

Turn over a new leaf • Don’t waste those fallen autumn leaves by dumping them or burning them, says Martyn Cox, as you can turn them into beneficial leaf mould for your garden

Beautiful Brambles • Easy to propagate, great for wildlife and bearing juicy fruits, brambles grow almost anywhere, says Graham Rice, and there are more to these plants than you think

It’s time to sow Sweet peas • If you want a healthy, bountiful crop of fragrant annual sweet peas next summer, you can give them a head start by sowing your seed now, says Hazel Sillver

Top Ten Rudbeckias • Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters, says Graham Rice

Ask JOHN NEGUS • John will reply personally to all your gardening questions

This week it’s: National Kale Day • We look at a leafy ‘superfood’ that’s available during winter

AG’s Garden Wall

Word search

Crossword …just for fun!

Tree ties • Steve and Val evaluate six devices to support tree growth

Glam up your garden with Alluring alliums • Chic and stylish, the allium – the onion’s classier cousin – is one flower that no summer border should be without. Camilla Phelps recommends options to plant now

Ask ANNE SWITHINBANK • Masterclass on: seed saving

Your LETTERS TO WENDY

The insect-friendly garden • The grounds of a former orphanage in Dorset are the setting for Judith Dutch’s beautiful insect-friendly garden, says Sue Bradley

The box ball blues • As if his beleaguered box hadn’t already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars