Make use of this seasons windfall and treat yourself! We cooked this recipe using Garden Belle pears (a dwarfing variety) that hold their shape well when cooked, but it also works well with Beurre bosc (other varieties will still taste delicious but may not hold their shape as well).

And when should I ask the question?

The first time I pruned unsupervised it seemed an easy task. I began staring at a quince thicket. But then, with secateurs and chainsaw in hand, I quickly demolished the thicket to uncover the pear tree below.

Grapes have been grown by humans for millenia, and given how delicious they are (not to mention the invention of wine) it's not hard to see why. Once established, their vigorous vines produce a mass of delicious fruit. They can be grown along a fence, over trellis or up a pergola and can provide delicious fruit and delightful shade right in the heat of summer.  And, they are easy to grow, provided you get things right from the get go!

Given how often lavender turns up in soaps and shampoos, it is very appropriate that the name derives from the Latin word 'to wash' (Lavare). Easy to grow and delightfully fragrant, lavender looks great by itself, in hedges or as part of a cottage garden. 
 

Decorate your garden, help keep the bees happy and brighten up many a drab salad or meal with the glorious addition of a tasty dash of colour. In recent years edible flowers have been all the rage, but to ensure you pick the right flowers from the right place here are a few tips on what to do.

Stuffed from the Christmas and tired of slaving over the stove. This Summer Frittata is light, easy to make, delightfully summery and goes well with a summer salad.

Another Mediterranean favourite, oregano is fabulous with grilled vegetables, in tomato dishes and sauces, with cheeses and on pizza. Choose the Greek variety for strongest taste. Easy to dry for future use. Historically, the Greeks and Romans used it as a disinfectant, to ward off spirits and as a shampoo for its scent – up to you.

Need to figure out how to deal with those bone-dry spots in the garden, or suss out how to create a gorgeous, low maintenance garden that can take the heat. Here are a few of our top picks.