Smart guide:totally tropical

Basil: Position in a bright spot on the windowsill or a heated greenhouse. It’s best to use free-draining compost. Broad beans: This tasty veg can be sown early this month if you choose a hardy variet

Ellen Mary suggests some great uses for this historically soothing houseplant

November may bring frost but it’s the perfect month to plant and prune fruit trees, for a taste of summer that money can’t buy

Garden plagued by problems? Here’s how to transform any space

Wrap non-frostproof pots in bubble wrap or other forms of gardening insulation to prevent them from cracking and to stop rootballs freezing. If you can, move these containers out of frost pockets and

Toby explains why and how he’s still harvesting tomatoes, runner beans and herbs into November