Gardening how tos

Brighten up your Christmas table with these natural festive arrangements using evergreens and winter-flowering shrubs. Here's two simple examples to make yourself. Words and styling Bea Andrews, photography Andrew Montgomery

Create your own quick natural handmade Christmas decorations with these simple but pretty stars made from twigs and evergreens

Forcing bulbs is a way to manipulate spring bulbs so that they flower early, bringing a much-needed burst of colour into the home during the winter months. Try these bulb combinations to learn how to force bulbs yourself. Images by Jason Ingram

Just because winter is here, it doesn't mean there's nothing to do in the garden. Rosie Fyles, head gardener at Chiswick House, and head gardener Benjamin Pope explain what winter gardening needs to be done

Squirrels can ruin tulip displays. We asked a range of experts for their advice on stopping squirrels digging up bulb displays.

Learn how to make a homemade Christmas wreath from scratch with our ideas using natural materials including succulents, evergreens and seedheads

Most gardeners know about traditional ways of composting, but head gardener Joshua Sparkes explains the options for smaller spaces. Illustration Vicki Turner

Festive ideas and inspiration for stylish Christmas decorations such as baubles and garlands, easily handmade at home using foraged and natural materials from the garden

Interested in the centuries-old skill of hedge laying? Follow our guide on how to lay a hedge and learn about the traditional ways to lay a hedge. Words Louise Allen, photography Andrew Montgomery, illustration Liam McAuley

Think of your garden soil as a living organism that needs gentle handling and you will reap the benefits in healthier plants, urges no-dig gardening expert Charles Dowding

Generations of gardeners have been told that digging is the best way to prepare soil for planting – but that’s a myth, according to grower Charles Dowding, who practises no dig gardening. Charles explains what no dig is and how it works

Discover how to prune all types of roses including shrub, climbing and rambling roses in our guide from plant expert John Hoyland. Photographs by Gavin Kingcome.

Growing your own edible plants is a great way to boost your gut microbiome. Discover expert picks of edimentals that are both beautiful and beneficial. Words: Sid Hill

As the garden slips into a new season, head gardener Troy Scott Smith and his team are busy with tasks from hedge cutting and lawn work to bulb planting and sowing seeds. Words Troy Scott Smith, photographs John Campbell

Discover the easy deadheading technique that is being picked up by head gardeners as a way of saving time and helping the soil

Whether it's for Apple Day on October 21 or Halloween, these scary apples are an excellent thing to create with the whole family. Photographs Andrew Montgomery

There is a huge variety of winter squash and pumpkins out there, all easy to grow in an allotment or garden if you know how. If you want to grow pumpkins for next year, here's a few of our favourites, plus some extra advice on sowing and planting. Illustration Kerry Lemon

Wondering how to change your ways in the garden and go organic? Gardening organically is not hard to do. We have all the tips with expert advice from Garden Organic

The start of the season of misty mornings in the garden comes with it a list of jobs to start. Here's the jobs you should get done in the garden in September as picked by experts Aaron Bertelsen and Benjamin Pope. Illustration Alice Pattullo

Captain Poldark’s rippling muscles may have sparked a nation’s interest in the scythe, but this ancient tool has long been gaining popularity with gardeners. Champion mower Simon Damant shows how to wield one safely.

Dahlias are a must in the summer and autumn garden. Here's everything you need to know about how to grow dahlias, plant tubers and how to take cuttings.

Looking for plants that won't get munched by slugs? Instead of using slug controls, why not grow plants that the molluscs just don't like? Here's 38 to choose from

Discover the jobs you should be undertaking in the garden this month with the help of garden writer Aaron Bertelsen. Illustration Alice Pattullo