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

Getting all set for the winter • Ruth draws up a list of some of the important seasonal jobs

Tasks that cover all aspects of the garden • Even when plants die back there is no such thing as a ‘quiet’ season in the garden!

Peat to be banned by 2024 • Fears that ‘hurried’ ban in England may deter gardeners

Potted winter colour • Baskets and pots are winners this season, says Ruth

What is bare root planting? • Ruth explains this economical way of winter growing

The royal art of simple sowing • These annuals are easy-going beauties, says Ruth

Grow to save money • Want to save some money while indulging in your homegrown passions? Bob considers your best options

On the verge of progress • Verges and hedges are vital for wildlife, says Val

Focus on… Growing pears • Nibbling on a ripe pear is one autumnal pleasure we should all be enjoying. Lucy Chamberlain explains how to grow the most succulent, crunchy fruits

Great Value Spring-Flowering Bulb Packs Months of dazzling colour - every year! • Transform your spring garden into a masterpiece exploding with early season colour with this selection of favourite bulbs.

Winter containers • Plant your containers with bulbs, shrubs and perennials before the cold weather sets in! Graham Rice has some great planting options to brighten your garden in winter

Best lilies for pots is ideal • Now is the right time to plant Oriental and Asiatic lilies to create a lovely container display in early summer, says Graham Clarke, as he lists some of his favourite varieties

This week… Berberis • Berberis is a great ornamental shrub with colourful flowers and berries

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

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

Word search

Crossword • …just for fun!

Seed collection and storage • You can save yourself money by collecting your own seed, say Steve and Val Bradley, as they reveal the best ways to retrieve the seed and store it to keep it viable

Save seeds to save cash

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

A vibrant foliage garden • Striking foliage and structural planting, including more than 30 acers, provide a strong backbone for Heather and David Neale’s Gloucester garden, says Sue Bradley

Late-summer wonders • The best perennial sunflowers may be a little tricky to track down, but they are well worth the effort, says Toby