In the garden this week: Raspberry pruning, plus the Yellow Book

Prune raspberries Pruning autumn raspberries is so simple, I am almost embarrassed to tell you what to do, but it's easy to miss this job and end up with a messy clump that isn't bearing at its best. Unlike summer ­rasp­berries, which flower and fruit on the ­previous year's growth, ­autumn fruiters will do the lot on new shoots produced this year, so chop them right down to the ground. Told you it was easy. If you are confused about which you have, just cut down anything that looks as if it has fruited – it will be more branched than the unfruited growths. The Yellow Book The Yellow Book 2010 – the National Gardens Scheme bible – is out. Whether you fancy an afternoon of genteel tea and cakes and ­exploring a particularly horticulturally blessed village, or just want to nose around your local allotments, it has ­something for everyone. Pick up your copy at ngs.org.uk .