Amateur Gardening

Every week, Amateur Gardening is the first choice for both beginners and knowledgeable gardeners looking for advice and easy-to-follow practical features on growing flowers, trees, shrubs as well as fruit and vegetables. Be inspired, by our beautifully illustrated features covering plant and flower groups, both home grown and exotic, and take a sneak peek into some of the most beautiful private gardens around the country. Plus, every week we feature expert opinion and tips from some of gardening’s most influential exponents including Toby Buckland, Bob Flowerdew, Anne Swithinbank, Peter Seabrook and Jo Whittingham.

Editor’s Letter

Autumnal lawn care plan • Get your grass in good nick before winter, said Ruth

Create an even lawn surface

Common lawn problems • Pests and diseases and how to keep on top of them

Go on, go wild!

Aerating and topdressing to ease compaction

Gardening costs on the rise • War and inflation means cash won’t go as far

Ukraine war hits fertiliser prices

Grab bargains while you can • Seed and bulb prices hold – for now

How to propagate ‘pellies’ • Take pelargonium cuttings before winter, says Ruth

Returning houseplants inside • Bring them back in before frosts strike, says Ruth

A vivid splash of true blue • Cornflowers are an essential garden addition, says Ruth

What’s On

Every last crop • Still got spuds, squash and roots to harvest? Bob explains how to squeeze every last drop from this year’s crop…

Our village sycamore • Val is prompted to find out more about local sycamores

Focus on… Growing leeks • Leeks are hearty kitchen classics that are simple to grow – all you need is moist soil and a weed-free plot. Lucy gives the low-down on growing luscious leeks

See this week’s great garden deal

Gorgeous grasses • Ornamental grasses will bring your garden to life with summer flowers, autumn tints and winter outlines, says Anne Swithinbank, as she reveals her top choices

Frequently asked questions

True blue • Sea holly adds architectural structure to borders for months and provides bees with nectar, says Hazel Sillver, as she describes the best varieties to plant now

Frequently asked questions

This week… Asters • The daisy-like flowers of asters will brighten your garden in summer and autumn

Frequently asked questions

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

Quick questions & answers

Made for the shade • Oliver Dawson looks at plants that can cope with dense shade

Gardeners with a story • We look at the life of British horticulturist and clergyman Reverend William Wilks (1843-1923)

A gardener’s MISCELLANY • Gardening’s king of trivia and brain-teasers, Graham Clarke

AG’s Garden Wall

Word search

Crossword …just for fun!

Get 6 issues for £6*

Extending tree pruners • Steve and Val Bradley test five extendable tree-cutting tools

How to grow bonsai trees

Great options for outdoor bonsai

Your LETTERS TO WENDY • Write to us: Letters, Amateur Gardening magazine, Future Publishing Limited, Unit 415, Winnersh Triangle, Eskdale Road, Winnersh, RG41 5TP (please include your address). Email us: amateurgardening@futurenet.com

The Garden Shed

Amateur Gardening

The clip show • Now’s the time to trim ornamental trees and hedges, says Toby, as he reveals the secrets of savvy snipping

Clever tricks with clippings