Whether you have a small garden or some unused corners you would like to improve, there is no shortage of ideas to make the most of the space and create your dream outdoor retreat

After scorching summers and sodden seasons, certainty is no longer part of the forecast. But with the right choices, your garden can bend rather than break. Greg Loades offers practical ideas to help you protect your soil, shelter your plants and create a space that works in sunshine, storms and everything in between

I have previously turned a blind eye to parts of my garden hidden from general view. There is so much to do and anything out of sight (although not out of mind) is not at the top of my priority list.

SOLUTIONS

your space

This month, Lalage impatiently awaits the start of the growing season, busying herself sowing seeds indoors, nourishing the soil in the potager beds, and spreading gravel for pathways, as her plans begin to take shape