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 Note

The greener approach • An eco touch improves more than just your plot, says Ruth

An organic cornerstone • Making your own compost will save you mess and money

A quick border round-up • Tackle the small jobs regularly as they arise, says Ruth

Moving a dormant shrub • It should start to grow well again in spring, says Ruth

Overwintering chilli plants • They will do best somewhere warm and light, says Ruth

Warming soil for sowing • Get an early start on crops and flowers, says Ruth

Chips ahoy! • You’ve grown your own spuds, but what about the oil for your homegrown chips? Bob considers the possibilities…

Alien arrival • A non-native shrew has been found in the UK, says Val

Focus on… Blackcurrants • You need just one bush for tangy fruits, says Lucy

Plan and plant your own Cutting garden • Whether you create a small, dedicated patch or plant them in your existing beds, growing annuals, biennials and perennials for the vase is well worth the effort, says Louise Curley

Turn up the heat • Start sowing chilli seeds this month for a long-lasting season of flavour-packed peppers, says Sue Bradley, as she reveals her choices for those who like to play with fire!

TRAVEL OFFERS

This week… Cranesbills • Easy-to-grow cranesbills, or hardy geraniums, are undemanding colourful perennials

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

WORDS OF WISDOM • From Amateur Gardening’s historic 138-year-old archive

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

JUST FOR FUN AG’s Garden Wall

Word search

Crossword …just for fun!

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Tool sharpeners • Steve and Val test a variety of sharpeners to find the best

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Confusion with climbers

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Amateur Gardening

Flap hunting • One of the best scientific breakthroughs is the cat flap, says Toby – here’s why it could save his early sowings