At Home Magazine

Timing and good tools are essential when it comes to pruning.

The first foray into the world of pruning is always daunting for new gardeners. But once you have taken that first snip and seen the benefits, it's a steep learning curve. Nearly all plants, shrubs and trees benefit from an annual nip and tuck. Regular pruning will regulate growth, improve the quality of fruit and flowers and is essential to get rid of diseased shoots or wood.

Nothing beats walking barefoot on a perfectly mowed, beautifully soft, vibrant green lawn.

Achieving a perfect lawn can become an obsession. It's one of those hobbies that starts as an interest and then gradually takes up more time and, of course, equipment.

Nothing beats a good barbie

There's something about eating outside with the char-grilled flavour of barbecued food drifting on the night air. Maybe it's the thrill of being outside that makes the aroma of sizzling ingredients more tantalising than usual.

If you want success in the garden the first challenge is to know your soil

If you are starting a garden in a new area or even remodelling an existing one, the first step is to familiarise yourself with the soil. An easy and revealing way is to check on your neighbours. See what type of plants flourish and which are absent - if you find a common theme it's bound to reflect on the type of natural soil.

Creating a garden for the whole family is challenging, but can be fun when everyone gets involved.

With good planning, a garden of any size can easily become a refuge for all members of the family including pets. Think first of the garden as a whole and design individual nooks and crannies to complement it. The patio is likely to be your main place for relaxing and entertaining.

Charlie Dimmock talks to editor Nicky Holford about life after Ground Force and some exciting projects in the pipeline

Once again the year started off with the BBC's Ground Force gardening team helping out on some tough gardening calls, but for Charlie it's all part of her busy and varied life that's about to change.

It's been a busy year - as usual. I've spent time in America filming for CBS The Early Show and bringing Ground Force stateside. I've also been doing the last series of Ground Force at home. After eight years Tommy and I have decided it's enough, and time to move onto other things. But we are doing a special Ground Force that will be on TV almost when this magazine hits the stands.

A step-by-step guide by Anne Swithinbank tells you how to keep your garden full of colour all year round

To enjoy colour, structure and interest in our gardens all year round is what everybody wants. Even during winter, it is easy to keep your plot looking cheerful by using shiny evergreens, colourful bark and bright stems alongside plants whose blooms open during the shortest days of the year.

A conservatory can add a whole new dimension to your property, says Cherry Maslen, they can either add a room to your house or provide your own tropical-garden heaven by - Cherry Maslen

In our climate we dream of a room bathed in sunshine, where we can sit in the warmth on chilly days and have a full view of the garden without venturing outside.

Whatever the style of your home and garden or your budget, there's a deck to suit

These days, grass just doesn_t cut it - no self-respecting garden is without a deck. Warmer, more versatile and easier to lay than patios, decks are a great way to create an architectural feature in your garden that still blends in harmoniously with nature.