Sow this
First rule of herb gardening: you can never have too much parsley. Sow some seeds outside now (I like Italian flatleaf variety ‘Comune’) in drills 1-2cm deep, 25cm apart for bushy plants come autumn. Parsley seed is notoriously slow to germinate: speed things along by soaking seed in warm water first.
Pitch this
Your garden is another world after dark: hunker down in a tent for the RSPB Big Wild Sleepout this weekend to spot night-time visitors such as moths, bats, foxes and hedgehogs. No garden? Find an event at a nature reserve near you. Details at rspb.org.uk/sleepout.
Plant this
Wildlife loves it, the flowers and berries are a forager’s dream, so what’s not to like about an elder tree? At 15 metres tall they’re usually too big for modern gardens. But Sambucus ‘Black Tower’ is compact, with a height and spread of 2.5m x 1.2m. Its leaves are pretty too, flushing burgundy in full sun. Order one potted plant for £13.99, or buy two for £19.99. All orders include free p&p. To order call 0330 333 6856 quoting ref GU359. Or shop online at theguardian.com/offers/plants. Dispatched August to September.
