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Among the latest to benefit are Horace Walpole's former estate, in Ealing, west London; and the fine piece of Victoriana that is the Seafront Gardens at Felixstowe, Suffolk. With budget cuts biting, the fund is a lifeline for parks and historic gardens - and often their only chance of survival.

Also this week, plants turn out to be more essential to city life than even we gardeners suspected. Research showed domestic gardens, parks, road verges and derelict land soak up 3.16kg of carbon per square metre - around as much as a car pumps out every 15km.

And the hotly-contested title of Shed of the Year 2011 (there were 1,570 entries) has gone to from north Somerset, whose suitably ramshackle garden shed has morphed into a music venue. Over 1000 musicians, including a 26-strong gospel choir, have recorded there. And you thought sheds were for potting on seedlings...

Elsewhere on the web...

Another week, another flower show. We've had the posh one and the big one: and now it's time for the friendly one. The RHS Tatton Park Flower Show in Cheshire is well-known and loved for its laid-back atmosphere: though that's been in short supply as designers rush to add finishing touches.

has been entirely distracted by her new pink cement mixer; while Tatton regular is working out how long it takes to plant a square metre of show garden. Meanwhile the team at begged viewers for help: requests included a café table and chairs, vintage-style cushions and napkins. I know budgets are tight these days, but really...

This week's good watch: there's trouble in the (beautifully-designed) shrubbery for . Or should I say 2 Men... Job applications on a postcard please.

And two absorbingly good listens: garden writer Tim Richardson on , for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 4's Today programme; and one of Britain's most beautiful wildflowers on naturalist Richard Mabey's series for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 4. If you've ever wondered how the snakeshead fritillary got its name, here's your answer.

Out and about...

The RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, in Knutsford, Cheshire, starts Wednesday and continues till Sunday. Expect very large hats on Thursday, the first-ever Ladies Day, what with Royal milliner Adrian Phillip Howard and fashion shows galore. If all that's just too girly, there are also gardens inspired by football teams.

You can also enjoy the show via this very blog; guest bloggers include the man who grew the impossibly large leeks on 'The Schedule', the aforementioned Sue Beesley, and Oxfam designer Dori Miller on growing food in flood-ravaged Bangladesh.

Elsewhere:

Catch clematis breeder extraordinaire at today and tomorrow, part of a mini-series of expert-led workshops which also, next weekend, has Professor of Sheffield University on creating green roofs at home.

And next Saturday the sweeping vistas and classical temples of provide the spectacular backdrop for a firework display and picnic; tickets are essential, so book ahead.

Sally Nex is a garden writer and blogger and part of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Gardening team.

Read Sally Nex's Gardening Blog posts.