Spread a bulky mulch on top of the soil surface around the base of young apple trees to condition the soil, hold in moisture and suppress weeds. This will all help the tree to establish well. Use well

At what stage do apple flowers become sensitive to frost? Flower buds are amazingly resistant to frost. Even apricots and peaches will be unharmed by severe cold, below -10°C, when the trees are leafl

Prepare a free-draining, sunny and weed-free bed to grow broad beans. Rake in blood, fish and bonemeal fertiliser to give the plants a boost. Plant the seedlings in a row, 15-20cm apart. Dig a hole an

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Almost every gardener has a pot or two of strawberries on their plot, and with their compact, easy-to-care-for nature, who can blame us? Freshly picked fruits are juicy, flavoursome and far superior t

Professor Buczacki is a borticultural expert, weiter and former chair of Gardeners Question Time