I’m bringing my summer stars

The latest from Carol's beautiful cottage garden… plus her diary for the week!

Kay Maynard explains how her first-ever garden has become a wildlife-friendly haven with year-round interest

The borders in Jānis Raubiška and Martin Paley’s garden look as though they are having a party. Planting designer Jānis says he doesn’t have any time for pastels – he finds them boring. Fireworks are

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.

As days grow longer, the urge to sow seeds is almost impossible to resist. But if you dream of overflowing beds, the most important thing to do now is plan the growing year to help you meet its sowing