.:. How to take summer cuttings

1. Choose healthy, pest-free and non-flowering shoots of new growth. Collect cuttings in a plastic bag to prevent them wilting.
2. Prepare cuttings by removing all the lower leaves, to prevent excessive moisture loss, then trim neatly, just below a joint with a sharp knife. Keep only one or two pairs of leaves at the tip. Always use a sharp knife.
3. Most cuttings root better if the end is dipped in hormone rooting liquid or powder, those containing fungicide will help prevent rotting.
4. Insert several cuttings around the edge of pots filled with gritty compost, keeping their leaves clear of the surface, then water in well.
5. Cover the pot with a transparent plastic bag to stop the cuttings from drying out. Place the pot in a shaded frame or on a greenhouse bench.
6. Pot up each rooted cutting into a 7.5cm (3in) pot, filled with a multi-purpose or loam-based compost. Ensure the pots do not dry out.
7. Grow on until they are well rooted before planting them out in the garden. Pinching out the very tip of the main stem will encourage branches to form.

.:. What to do with too much lawn clippings
Partially rotted clippings are great to use as a mulch. Raw grass clippings tend to heat up, scorching surface roots and take nitrogen away from the soil, so it's better to compost them slightly first.
Also, if you put fresh clippings on the border they clump together in wet weather, hindering the passage of air and moisture to the roots of plants. They can also blow around in the wind. When a lawn has been treated with weedkiller, wait until it has been mown three times before using the clippings. To create an effective mulch, cover the surface with a 7.5cm to 10cm (3in to 4in) layer, but try to avoid going right up to the base of the plants.

.:. Maintaining a small lawn
A small lawn reduces maintenance time overall. It can be scarified with a spring-tine rake and, if you are fit, can be mown with a push mower. One with a 30cm (12in) blade will cover the area without overlapping the edges. If you cut the lawn diagonally, it helps to make it look wider.
Unless your garden is a formal design, a rectangle is not the most interesting shape, even when framed with an edge of bricks. You could make it into a circular or kidney-shaped lawn instead.
Arguably, in such a small space, a lawn is unnecessary. You could try gravel, paving, decking or a patio. A camomile lawn might be an option as it needs little maintenance, but doesn't tolerate heavy wear and tear. Non-flowering 'Treneague' is the best type for lawns.

.:. When to cut a newly seeded lawn
We advise cutting the grass when it reached about 5cm (2in) tall. With a seeded lawn, you'll need to check for large stones that have worked their way on top of the grass before you mow; these stones can be dangerous when you mow if not removed. Mow using a roller rather than an electric mower, and set the blades to their highest setting so you only take the tops of the grass off. This should encourage the grass to bush out and produce a better ground cover.

.:. Useful Websites
BBC Gardening Tips
Dr. Bob's Gardening Tips
Weekend Gardener Magazine
Christchurch City Council Water Conversation