I’ve grown Britain’s biggest pumpkins – but there’s a surprising downside, says giant veg expert

NEWS! Kew Gardens has revealed some of the world’s rarest plants - and those that are extinct in the wild, in a new exhibition. It focuses not only on the plants - but how they’re looked after. And there’s focus on the amazing horticulturalists that brought them to Kew from cliff edges, tiny tropical islands and incredible near-impossible to access spaces all over the world.
“There’s a 250 year history at Kew of looking after these rare and extinct plants” Jessica Frances, from Kew, told Sun Gardening.
“We need to keep these plants going for the genetic diversity of the planet. If we just get stuck with a small level of the same plants - it will be a much more disease prone planet. Having areas that are as natural as we can get them, will be more diverse, which is better for insects, animals and our health too.” The exhibition runs until November 17.

NEWS! Bath, the original winners of Britain in Bloom, have won again - in the RHS gardening competition’s 60th year. Announced on The One Show, on Monday night, it was also revealed that first-time entrants Wrexham in Bloom, in Wales, won the City category and a gold medal.
Dame Mary Berry, RHS Ambassador, said: “Bath is such a special place to me – I grew up there. Bath in Bloom won this competition 60 years ago and have done it again on their 60th anniversary. Congratulations!”

NEWS! Grant-making charity Project Giving Back has announced the gardens it will be supporting at Chelsea - including a down syndrome garden, one by female prisoners, and a space for The Kings Trust linking young people with seeds.

WIN! Those leaves won’t clear up themselves. So one lucky winner can get their hands on this £89 Stiga Cordless leaf blower BL100e with battery plus a pair of cordless Pruning shears worth £129.
To enter fill in THIS FORM, for more details visit www.thesun.co.uk/AUTSTIGA or write to Sun Autumn Stiga Competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Ends 23.59GMT 09.11.24 T&Cs apply.

SAVE! Rose pruning is on the horizon, so protect your arms with Amazon's £16.99 SLARMOR gardening gloves. Or buy an almost identical pair from Woodside for just £7.99

TOP TIP If you’re lucky enough to have hedgehogs, don’t leave your pumpkin lying around post halloween, it can make them really poorly at a vital time.

JOB OF THE WEEK Apples will be ripe for picking, it’s still warm enough to get down turf, and lift up Canna’s to overwinter the tubers.

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