Pot grown lilies need attention at this time of year

Lilies are great for growing in pots, a method that allows them to be plunged into beds as a gap filler or brought on to the patio for spectacular summer flower.Wether you already have some or are thinking about trying them, you will get the best results if you invest some time now.

Cut the old flower spikes back to the base.Autumn is when new roots are formed so carefully scrape off the compost from the top of the pot and replace with fresh.If the bulbs appear congested tip them out and repot, either into a larger pot or separately into individual pots.

Pick large healthy bulbs when buying, smaller bulbs may produce inferior flowers and damaged scales are likely to rot.When handling lily bulbs make sure you wear gloves as the bulbs are known to cause skin irritation.Choose a deep pot and line the bottom with some crocks.

Species lilies often root up the stem so should be planted deep down in the pot, other types should be plant at twice their depth and spaced at 5cm (2 inches) apart.For most lilies the ideal compost mix is three parts John Innes no3 to one part grit and one part ericaceous compost.Lilies are such hungry plants that you could even throw in some controlled release fertiliser as well.

Look at a wide range of Fall bulls and Lilies from MyGardenCenterOnline

Sow herbs in a grow bag

Grow bags are generally associated with greenhouse crops such as tomatoes and sweet peppers, but they are also great to grow herbs.

Leaf crops grow best when positioned in partial shade, as this prevents the leaves scorching in the midday sun.It also helps stop the grow bag from drying out.

Cut two large windows in the plastic to give you the maximum sowing area for your herbs.Once the bag is opened, use a fork to fluff up the compost.Water the bag well then use a pencil or length of dowel, pressed horizontally into the compost to mark out your sowing lines.In a standard size bag you can have up to six rows.

May is the ideal time to start sowing outside and you can continue sowing until early september.To guarantee pickings over the winter months put the grow bag in a cold greenhouse from september onwards.

Try some of the following herbs  common thyme, Broadleaf Sage, Dotted Mint Bee Balm, Geek Mini Basil, Italian Flat Parsley, Rosemary, Sweet Marjoram, Watercress and the full range of herb seeds

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Grow strawberries to eat fresh with cream or put in your strawberry shortcake

The traditional way to raise strawberries is to root runners, but if you do not have a stock of plants to propagate, and the price of new strawberry plants put you off growing them.Why not raise your own from seed?

Great varieties of strawberries are available as seeds at a fraction of the cost of plants.If you sow them in early spring you should get fruits the same year.

Early sowing is essential for the best crop in the same year, but remember that strawberries are pereninials so they will flower and fruit for several years.Sow any time between March and the end of April in a heated propogator in your greenhouse or on a windowsill.Setting the temperture at 18-21C (65-70F)  for the best germination. More on Strawberries from seed

Herbs are the perfect plant for growing by the back door, then within seconds of  harvesting they are in the kitchen, ensuring there freshest flavours.

To make the pot pyramid
Start off with a wide container and fill it halfway with John Innes no3 compost.Adding extra grit to the compost gives the herbs the good drainage they enjoy.

Choose a second pot that when placed inside the fist one.Will leave a band around the rim large enough to plant in.Fill in around the second pot with more compost then repeat the process with a smaller third pot. More on Herb Pyramid