Every week, Amateur Gardening is the first choice for both beginners and knowledgeable gardeners looking for advice and easy-to-follow practical features on growing flowers, trees, shrubs as well as fruit and vegetables. Be inspired, by our beautifully illustrated features covering plant and flower groups, both home grown and exotic, and take a sneak peek into some of the most beautiful private gardens around the country. Plus, every week we feature expert opinion and tips from some of gardening’s most influential exponents including Toby Buckland, Bob Flowerdew, Anne Swithinbank, Peter Seabrook and Jo Whittingham.

Editor’s Note

Stocking up and taking stock • Ruth refreshes supplies for ’21 and makes her resolutions

This year, I resolve to… • Let us know how you get on with your ’21 resolutions!

T&M acquires Suttons Seeds • Massive buy-out by industry giants

Soil prep for the new season • Turn and warm soil and watch those weeds, says Ruth

Reusing your festive rubbish • Packaging and decorations have garden uses, says Ruth

Looking into the future • Gardening on the increase, but prices are too, says Peter

Great expectations • The dark weeks ahead give plenty of time to plan ahead for better days in this year’s garden, as Bob explains…

Sow and grow sweet peas • Ruth checks up on her seedlings and sows some more

Bird Watch: The carrion crow (Corvus corone) • Ruth welcomes this mythical bird to her garden and TV aerial

Please the bees • Val looks at early winter flowers that provide food for bees

Focus on…Greenhouse care • Heat and insulate well over winter, says Lucy

Cast a spell with Witch hazel • Enchanting flowers, potent perfume and great autumn leaf colour, all in one easy-togrow package – it’s well worth making room for a Hamamelis, says Graham Rice

Wonderful witch hazels for…

Why not grow with…?

What to sow in January • The skies may be grey but get busy with seed sowing, and you can look forward to colourful summer blooms and early crops of produce. Louse Curley reveals the flowers and veg suited to an early start

6 flowers to sow now with heat

3 flowers to sow without heat

Veg crops to start off now

Whatever your soil, plant Winter heathers • Dainty flowers and contrasting evergreen foliage – choose Erica for a double whammy of winter interest from plants that are not picky about the pH, says Graham Rice

Heavenly heathers for…

5 planting companions

Ask John Negus • John has been answering reader queries for 50 years

Plants connected with birds • Discover how our feathered friends have influenced gardening

Winter gardening gloves • Tim Rumball compares six leading brands thermal-lined gardening gloves

BEST BUY…

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Natural priority

Amateur Gardening

The shady, sloping garden • Dry soil and plenty of shade have not stopped Jacky and David Lumby from creating a beautiful garden on the edge of the New Forest, says Sue Bradley

From cake to compost… • After all the festive noshing, we should all be burning off the calories with some good old gardening, says Toby