Top Ten Lilacs

In recent years, traditional lilacs have been joined by many new varieties and there are so many good ones,

What to plant for Instant May colour

Flowers can be few and far between this month – but they do not have to be. Sally Jenner reveals the plants you need to glam up your garden right now

Get set for courgettes

Sow courgette and squash seeds now to enjoy bountiful harvests throughout the summer, says Sue Bradley, as she reveals varieties ideal for all garden situations

Floral rockstars

They may not be easy and they might not stick around for long, but rockstar plants are giving Toby a great show

The white-themed garden

A white theme represents a different approach for award-winning gardener Marion Powell, making her Usk plot an especially calm space, says Sue Bradley

Caring for potted lupins

Q The large herbaceous perennials at our local garden centre were expensive, so we bought a few smaller ones including a tiny lupin.

Hardy geraniums

Easy and dependable, hardy geraniums provide us with months of flowers and effective groundcover, says Graham Rice

Perennials with staying power

Discover the best perennials to plant now for interest and impact throughout the summer months so you can enjoy a long season, says Tamsin Hope Thomson

Showstopping Hanging baskets

Summer wouldn't be summer without at least one hanging basket. Whether your style is classic or modern, Louise Curley has clever combinations for all situations

Focus on... Broad beans

Want to cultivate the best broad beans for the tastiest pickings? Lucy shows you how to guarantee happy harvests of fava bean flavour - and even plant some now

Golden brown

Val explains how a ‘brownfield rainforest’ is helping bees Golden brown

Sweet freedom

Sweet freedom Make this your year for enjoying spuds that won’t fall foul of blight. Bob reveals how to grow sweet potatoes crops from molluscs

Easy-to-grow courgettes

‘Black Beauty’ is a must for beds and growbags, says Ruth

How to handle with care

Potting small seedlings needs a gentle touch, says Ruth

Get wise with watering

Get wise with watering Work with the climate to help your garden, says Ruth

Small spaces for your veg

I'm going to maximise my patio growing area, says Ruth

Think before you plant

Choosing the right position can make a big difference

A perennial performance

It's time to plant, move divide and take cuttings, said Ruth

Frame academy

Every garden is capable of being a work of art, but the right lawn regime can give your art the edge, says Toby

Making a herb garden

We've decided to make our small, Q sunny, south-facing back garden into a herb garden with edible flowers. For this, we'll need a lot of plants. What perennial herbs can we raise from seed? Sam Whittaker, Andover, Hampshire

Understanding plant hormones

Steve and Val explain the role of plant hormones in growth and dormancy

Watery wonders

Got a small garden and want a water feature along with the plants that will bring it to life? Not a problem, says Martyn Cox, as he lists the ideal plants for a compact pond

Trees and shrubs from seed

Alan Toogood looks at propagating from seed, particularly trees and shrubs that can be raised under glass and in the open garden

Flowering and fruiting currants and gooseberries

Graham Rice lists his top ten currants and gooseberries

Cheerful and charming Sunflowers

From skyscraping stems to container-friendly options - all in a range of warm colours - it's little wonder that helianthus are hot favourites for late summer, says Louise Curley

Light and airy Umbellifers

Loved by gardeners, florists and pollinators, umbellifers are the frothy favourites that add a natural feel to borders and bouquets. Camilla Phelps reveals the best to try

Alternative compost challenge

AG’s Steve Bradley explains the current situation and offers his thoughts on the benefits and challenges of finding an alternative that satisfies the needs of gardeners

Focus on... Growing peas

If you know the secrets of soil care, watering and root growth, then you can harvest peas from June to October. Lucy explains how to pick the perfect pods

Come what May

Fill the May gap with flowers for our pollinators, says Val

Beware honeydew

Honeydew may sound like a harmless problem, but it can stunt and smother plants. Bob explains how to tackle it