Buy this
If you are bulb planting this autumn (and you should be: a mass of crocuses or daffs transforms a downtrodden lawn or bare border), don’t muddle along with a trowel. Buy the proper kit: a long-handled bulb planter. Burgon & Ball’s is my favourite.
Dig this
Greenfingers has designed gardens at 49 children’s hospices in the UK, providing children who have life-limiting conditions and their families somewhere safe and fun to relax. There’s a waiting list of hospices who need its help, so get involved by volunteering, fundraising or spreading the word.
Plant this
I have at least five clematis in my garden and can never remember when and how to prune each one. That’s why I love the new introduction ‘Astra Nova’, because you just cut it back hard in spring. The star-like blooms keep coming from June to September and a constrained habit (height and spread: 2.4m x 60cm) makes it ideal for obelisks, pergolas or fences. Buy one potted plant for £14.99, or two for £19.99, including free p&p. To order, call 0330 333 6856, quoting ref GU362, or go to theguardian.com/offers/plants. Dispatched September to October.
