Most councils in the UK now have a recycling scheme where you have a green wheelie bin and the council collect the waste from it about once every one or two weeks. However, whilst this might have been ok during the early summer months, when your garden needs cutting back or bushes or trees need pruning, the bin will quickly become full. So what’s the best way of getting rid of all that unwanted garden waste?

Many people have now realised the benefits of having their own compost heap or heaps. And if you keep on top of what you put on your heap, you can have some great mulch to put into your soil at the start of next season.

If you still have to get rid of some larger items, most councils still operate a green recycling scheme, you just need to get your garden waste to the nearest depot. If you know someone who has a van it can be a good idea to ask them if you can loan it for a day. Just make sure you have been added to their van insurance policy so you are adequately covered if you have an accident.

Epalyn is now the most common liner choice. It is durable and resistant to tears and punctures and also quite cheap compared to the previously favoured butyl. Make sure you plan your installation fully and don’t scrimp on materials. Your pond is a place when you can relax and enjoy some free time. So make a wise decision and get the best pond you can.

Tools are important for every gardener and good quality tools are a must. If you are just starting out on a new garden or have just been given the keys to your allotment there is a myriad of tools that you can choose from. From spades and forks to hoes and trowels, a visit to your local garden centre will reveal the many options on offer.

If you have a new garden or even allotment, one thing that is needed to store all your things is a shed or some other form of storage container. This will be somewhere you can keep your things dry, under lock and key and keep everything else you may need for your garden, from seed trays to potting compost. If you can afford the space instead of just getting a 6 by 4 shed, a good option is to go for a larger storage option. If you get a shed big enough you can even use it as a workshop or convert part of it to provide desk space where you can keep details about your garden plans or design next years garden layout. You might think that workshops in your garden is a little over the top, but if you have the space you should use it to its fullest potential.

The foxglove is a quintessential English cottage garden plant and provides a beautiful addition to any border. The plant likes a sandy loam soil and prefers partial sun to full shade. A staggering fact about the foxglove is that it produces about one to two million seeds before it dies.

Agapanthus have large rounded heads of flowers that are displayed on a long stem, colours go from blue to violet but there are also some pure white types. They used to be native to South Africa but are now found in gardens all over Europe. They don’t like waterlogged soil or types of soil that dry out quickly during the growing season, in fact they need lots of water throughout the early spring and summer to ensure growing success.

The Stradsett Hall garden show 2009 will take place on Saturday and Sunday the 4th and 5th of July in Norfolk. Set in beautiful surroundings including private garden and lake, the shows highlights include a butterfly barrel competition, an art exhibition, antique valuations and over 75 trade stands.

The show supports a number of local charities including Norfolk Hospice, East Anglia Air Ambulance and the Kin’s Lynn branch of the National Osteoporosis Society.

If you water really well about once a week the roots of plants will put down longer deeper roots because the soil will be wetter deeper down, this is far better of course than shallow roots that can dry out a lot easier if they are not watered often.

If you are planting any new shrub or tree at this time of year then you should soak the root ball and the bottom of the hole you have dug, this is a far better method than just planting and then watering the surface.

Annuals
An annual is any plant whose life cycle lasts for only one year. This is from seed to flower and then again to seed. If you are lucky the plant will reseed in the same position it was last year.

Perennials
These plants last for year on year, in the winter they may die back or remain dormant but will return with full aplomb the next year. They can be divided into two main types – herbaceous (plants that die back) and woody (don’t die back but grow larger, for example shrubs and trees).

• Spade – More than one spade is always a good idea, choose one that is a good tool for everyday digging and a more heavy duty alternative that can be use for shovelling or lifting plants.
• Fork – As with the spade it is the quality of the item that matters, two piece units can often break and inferior quality items are generally not worth the money.
• Hand trowel and fork – For the delicate weeding and planting these should always be kept close at hand.
• Pruners/shears – Ones with blades that can be sharpened or interchangeable blades are the best as blunt pruners can be difficult to use.
• Hoe – A good quality sharp hoe is a key component in your tool kit. There are backwards and forwards operating hoes, it is a personal choice which to choose.
• Rake – imagine trying to clear up leaves or rubbish without a rake?
• Watering can – An essential item that you can never do without.