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.

Keep up with winter tasks • Ruth stays busy and preserves her first lemon crop!

Some TLC for fruit and veg • Feeding leafy veg and weeding are two key tasks now

Mapperton is Garden of the Year • Historic West Dorset site wins top public accolade

Gardening on a budget • Being thrifty and ingenious is all part of the fun, says Ruth

Keeping houseplants thriving • Keep your home greens in the pink this winter, says Ruth

Learn from a top tipster • Here are my notes on the best veg for 2021, says Peter

Checking tender tubers • They will soon be ready to make new shoots, says Ruth

Bird Watch: The coal tit (Periparus ater) • Ruth welcomes this very stylish bird to her winter feeders with glee

Re-use potting compost • Transform your used, dry potting compost into a nutritious feast for new crops and blooms – Bob shows you how

The aphid eaters • Val discovers a lot of hoverfly activity on her kale plants

Focus on…Blackcurrants • All you need is one bush for tangy tart fruits, says Lucy

Tips and tricks for a New Year refresh • Sometimes a few simple updates are all it takes to revitalise the garden – and the good news is that January is an ideal time to make a start, so jump to it, says Hazel Sillver

To banish the grey, plant Winter sun • Whether bold and gold or shades of primrose and buttermilk, yellow flowers and foliage are the ideal antidote to gloomy skies, and a little goes a long way, says Hazel Sillver

What to plant for Peony perfection • The florists’ favourite offers high returns for very little in the way of care, and many add interest long after their flowering period. Louise Curley explores the different types

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

Plants connected with islands • We look at those plants associated with islands

Crossword …just for fun!

Doing an environmental audit • Taking stock of how ‘green’ your garden is can reveal a great deal, says Tim Rumball

Best pruning for wisteria

No excuse! • Write to us: Letters, Amateur Gardening magazine, Pinehurst 2, Pinehurst Road, Farnborough Business Park, Farnborough, Hants GU14 7BF address).(please include your address) Email us: amateurgardening@futurenet.com

Amateur Gardening

The heat is on… • Toby is keeping a close eye on a feisty horseradish – luckily, he knows how to keep this flavoursome firebrand in check