How to create an easy sustainable garden
A sustainable garden is increasingly important. We urban gardeners manage a substantial chunk of the outdoor space in any town or city. So what we do impacts our air quality,…
A sustainable garden is increasingly important. We urban gardeners manage a substantial chunk of the outdoor space in any town or city. So what we do impacts our air quality,…
I recently asked Heston Blumenthal for his top tips on how to barbecue for a party. And although it was only a short conversation, he certainly turned my ideas on…
Knee or back pain from gardening is probably the most frustrating thing in a garden-lover’s life. You’re longing to get out there – but as soon as you get stuck…
Treat yourself to one of the best gardening books of the year. Or any one of them would make a wonderful gift. If you’re asking the question ‘why do we…
Autumn trees are the stars in my November garden. My top five trees are: Smokebush (Cotinus coggyria Crab apple trees (esp Malus ‘Gorgeous’) Heritage fruit trees such as quince and…
Many people are now talking openly about their physical and mental challenges and how their garden or gardening has helped them. I want to talk about my story of trauma,…
This year’s autumn garden has taught me a lot about choosing plants for late-season colour. I’ve always thought of trees and leaf colour as the defining element of an autumn…
Does an accessible garden only matter to people in wheelchairs? Or to the partially sighted, or to someone with a chronic illness? What about mothers with small children, or grannies…or…
I asked garden designer Adam Frost about garden redesign. Especially if you have a middlesized garden and have recently moved in. (‘Recently’ in garden terms can be years, as we…
How to choose the right garden tree? I think we all dither over this because trees seem like such a big purchase. More like buying a sofa than buying a…
Have you run out of gardening steam by the time you get to the late summer garden? I know I do, which is why it’s so inspiring to visit a…
I’ve always wondered about ‘no dig flower borders’ for annuals, shrubs and perennials. Not that I ever do much digging. But I wondered if the principles of no dig veg…
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How to find a gardener who’s perfect for your garden
What’s the first thing you think about when you decide to find a gardener? Is it ‘how much does a gardener cost?’ Or ‘how do I find a gardener who…
The best plants for amazingly low maintenance garden pots
What are ‘low maintenance garden pots’? After all, how low can you go? Can you go away on holiday for a fortnight without asking anyone to water your pots? Er,…
8 steps to the long thin garden of your dreams
Two years ago Emma and Mel moved to a house in Whitstable with a long thin garden. It’s open on May 19th 10am-5pm for the NGS. They came from a…
Fences for privacy – 9 great ideas for garden screening
Are you making the most of your fences for privacy and screening? Privacy is a big issue for middle-sized gardens, because high hedges and fences block light. But low hedges…
7 essential garden tools to make your gardening life really easy
There are essential garden tools. And there are useful garden tools. Then there are useless garden tools. This post will show you how to invest in the first two, and…
The 8 best perfect-for-privacy garden trees
Do you need trees for privacy? Perhaps you have a neighbour’s window over-looking your garden? An ugly view or a street-lamp? The days of planting gloomy conifers to prevent people…
