This is a good time to buy alpines as there should be a nice choice at garden centres so you can pick a selection that work well together.

True alpines are generally slow-growing, neat plants which are ideally suited to containers. You can appreciate their small-scale intricacy, and give them the conditions they like. They will also be safe from invasive weeds, more thuggish garden plants and many pests.

Most garden centres also have imaginative selections of containers wide, shallow ones are best for alpines, so you can fit in a range of plants while ensuring excellent drainage. Choose a selection of plants that will give contrasting colour and shape. Golden or variegated foliage varieties are worth looking out for too as they continue to add interest when the flush of spring flowers is over.

If any plants are dry, plunge the whole pot in a bowl of water and wait until no more bubbles appear. Cover the base of the pot with a layer of coarse grit, stone chippings or the expanded clay granules often sold for houseplants. Arrange the plants and fill in the spaces with multipurpose compost mixed 50:50 with grit. Firm the mixture gently as you go to ensure there are no air pockets.

Cover the surface with grit, and stand the finished planting in a sunny position. A bowl of alpines makes a lovely centrepiece for a sturdy picnic table, and ensures they get plenty of attention.

Jobs of the week:

* Sow herbs, including basil, chives, coriander and marjoram in the garden or in windowsill pots.

* Ensure seedbeds, seedlings and anything newly-planted is never short of water. This includes climbers, trees, roses, shrubs and soft fruit planted since last summer.

* Check asparagus spears for red, black and yellow asparagus beetles and their khaki grubs. Squash or spray with bifenthrin.

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May 27, 2003 09:00