Amateur Gardening

Since 1884 Amateur Gardening has been the gardening ‘Bible’ for serious gardeners from all walks of life. With unrivalled levels of practical content written by seasoned experts, it remains the only media brand to win a coveted gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show. We are passionate about all things horticultural and are dedicated to producing informative content that gives accurate and helpful advice. Amateur Gardening is a trusted fortnightly companion, offering guidance and advice for all green-fingered projects.

EDITORIAL

‘Tis the season for containers • Celebrate baskets of colour and patio pots, says Ruth

Keeping plants growing well • The right amounts of food and water are vital for good

Early summer lawn care • Ruth suggests ways of keeping your grass flourishing

Saving an ailing fruit bush • Ruth salvages a struggling container-grown blueberry

Making free fertiliser • Comfrey tea is a pungent but useful product, says Ruth

You are wise to sow Clary • A member of the sage clan with many benefits, says Ruth

Firming things up • Growing the best beans and peas relies on tension, says Bob, as he explains how you can avoid saggy strings…

Back to nature • Garden organically and let nature help you, says Val

Focus on… Sweetcorn • Scorching summers give you the edge when growing sweetcorn, but if the summer is cool and damp there are other ways to cultivate super-sweet cobs galore, says Lucy

Get set for courgettes • Sow courgette and squash seeds now to enjoy bountiful harvests throughout the summer, says Sue Bradley, as she reveals varieties ideal for all garden situations

What to plant for Instant May colour • Flowers can be few and far between this month – but they do not have to be. Sally Jenner reveals the plants you need to glam up your garden right now

Top Ten Lilacs • In recent years, traditional lilacs have been joined by many new varieties and there are so many good ones, says Graham Rice

Ask JOHN NEGUS • John will reply personally to all your gardening questions

Hardy annuals, biennials and veg • Alan Toogood explains how to raise hardy annuals from seed sown in spring or autumn, hardy biennials that take two years to grow to mature, and easily grown vegetables

A gardener’s MISCELLANY • Gardening’s king of trivia and brain-teasers, Graham Clarke

Word search

Crossword • …just for fun!

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Plant mutations • Steve and Val Bradley explain how many of the varieties we regard as ‘normal’, particularly variegated plants, actually started as a mutation or sport

Care for container plants

Bedding aisles in store

Super-sized citrus

Plants toxic to dogs

Amateur Gardening

High and mighty • Selecting climbers for your garden might feel like a tall order sometimes, but it’s well within your reach, says Toby