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The nights are drawing in, TV programming is kicking back into gear and there are ominous warnings about “party season”. However, that doesn’t mean we should ascribe to horticultural tradition and “put our gardens to bed”. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. … Read more

A friend’s husband has recently embarked on a love affair with an allotment plot. I’m totally delighted for him, and am enjoying the new dimension of our relationship, in which we discuss compost and seed sowing over WhatsApp, and he sends me photographs of the “lotty”. It reminds me of when someone has a newborn … Read more

Name: Burford Garden Company. Age: 49. Appearance: A large garden centre in the heart of the Cotswolds, just off the A40. Can I get slug pellets there? Yes, you can. What about milking sleeves? No, you’ll have to go to Cirencester for those. Shame – I hate to make two trips. What about a decorative … Read more

This living room was the first project where Flack was given carte blanche. Working within the original style of the room, Flack added formed gradients along the fireplace wall, which was ‘almost like taking a new form of the federation detailing … It’s elegant and subtle, but very punchy’. The painting, Onion Skin by Oscar … Read more

What’s the problem?My peace lily has recently developed silver and grey streaks on its leaves. It hasn’t been moved and there haven’t been any changes to its routine – it gets watered and misted once or twice a week. Any advice? DiagnosisSilver or grey streaks on peace lily leaves often signify thrips. These are tiny slender … Read more

As a former allotment holder in Glasgow, I read Robin Tyne’s article with empathy (‘I joined every list’: the gruelling search for a Glasgow allotment, 2 September). I too joined every waiting list in Glasgow before I became a plotholder. There are not enough allotments in Glasgow and indeed across the UK. While the company Roots and … Read more

Squint at the roof of the grey, brutalist National Theatre on London’s South Bank and you might be able to spy a riot of colour spilling from the concrete. This is the theatre’s new natural dye garden, from which flowers are being picked to create the colours for the costumes worn in the theatre’s plays. … Read more