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

Preparing an autumn lawn • It’s lawncare season and here’s what to do, says Ruth

Should I turf or should I sow? • There are pros and cons to both methods, says Ruth

AG’s 16 top new varieties for 2023 • Marc Rosenberg chooses his top flowers and crops for next year’s growing season

Biennials for spring colour • Plant them now for easy blooms next year, says Ruth

More than just a pretty face • Easy-going calendulas are a useful plant, says Ruth

Cutting corners • Want to cultivate plants for free? Start some cuttings of soft fruits now and you’ll soon reap the rewards, says Bob

The heat is on • Bumblebees suffered in this year’s hot weather, says Val

Focus on… Mushrooms • Buttons, shiitake, chestnuts or oysters – you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to growing mushrooms. Lucy Chamberlain explains how to grow your own fab fungi

Duo Fruit Trees

Get creative with Crydails • Corydalis are low-growing, shade-loving perennials with a vivid array of colours that shine between spring and summer, so why not plant some now, says Graham Clarke

Spencer sweet peas • Spencer sweet peas have the longest stems for cutting, the largest blooms and a sweet scent. Plan now for next year’s summer colour and fragrance, says Anne Swithinbank

This week… Chrysanthemums • Fuss-free late-season perennials in a huge range of colours

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

Handsome, honest hostas • Suppressing all weeds with their large handsome leaves, hostas are truly ground-cover plants, says Christopher Lloyd

Autumn and winter cabbages • Fascinating facts about Brassica oleracea

AG’s Garden Wall

Word search

Crossword • …just for fun!

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Compost scoops • Steve and Val Bradley test six compost scoops and look at the change in their use

Ask ANNE SWITHINBANK • Masterclass on: tackling winter moth

Tom’s floral paradise • 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

Amateur Gardening

Seasonal adjustments • Given our weird weather, Toby looks at how to hit the ground running with tips to prepare for future dry spells