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Supporting plants involves the provision of a post, stake or framework to which weak stems could be attached. A tall plant can be rocked by strong winds if its roots aren’t able to anchor it firmly in the ground. A freshly-planted specimen does not have this anchorage, so it could be dislodged or blown over. Staking is the answer, it is the job that you simply should do at planting time and never after the damage is done. Inspect your ties on a tree on a regular basis and adjust them as the stem thickens. Some herbaceous plants, like Dahlias are staked at planting time. Stout bamboo canes are normally used. Tie the stem to the support as growth proceeds using soft twine or raffia. The single pole method is correct for plants with spire-like heads, like Delphiniums. In these cases the stake must be tall enough to support the flower head.

In many cases, however, tying to a single stake should be avoided. With bushy plants an ugly 'drumstick' effect is produced and is the sign of a poor gardener, the all-too-familiar sight of a tight group of stems attached to a cane and a splayed out spray of flowers above.

Regrettably, weak-stemmed plants, tall varieties on exposed sites, large-headed flowers and climbers all will require support and stakes. Wires, canes etc are not things of beauty in themselves. The solution is to choose the kind of support with care and try to put it in a place when the plant is quite small so that the stems can grow through to cover it.

For a lot of plants all you will need is brushwood or pea sticks pushed into the soil all around the young plant when the stems are about 1 ft high. For more robust and bushy herbaceous plants insert 3 or 4 canes around the stems and enclose the shoots with twine tied round the canes at roughly 9 inch intervals. You could buy circular wire frames that are inserted into the soil and produe a similar effect. In all cases follow the golden rule - never leave staking until the plant has collapsed.

The only plants which regularly require staking in the vegetable garden are Beans and Peas. Peas may be supported with twigs when they are young but may need plastic netting when fully grown. Runner Beans are best grown against solid canes, either arranged as a wigwam or as a double row joined at the top by a horizontal holding bar.

When a tree outgrows its stake it might still need support. This can be provided by fixing a collar to the middle of the trunk and then securing it to the ground by means of 3 strong wires. Some shrubs with limp spreading stems may require some kind of support after a few years. Follow the principles described above for bushy herbaceous plants. Use 3 or 4 stakes with a band joining the top of every stake, never rely on a single pole and twine.