10 garden planting ideas for small gardens
Border planting ideas for small gardens. What works well in a limited space and why it’s often different for larger gardens. How to choose and combine plants to make your garden gorgeous.
Tips and techniques from experts. No-fuss and easy but effective.
Border planting ideas for small gardens. What works well in a limited space and why it’s often different for larger gardens. How to choose and combine plants to make your garden gorgeous.
Plants that spread can save you so much time and money. And they’re the plants that create colour in my garden from July to the first frosts. My top 10…
Here are five effective – but easy – homemade fertilisers for your garden from the organic Abbey Physic Community Garden in Faversham. Comfrey or nettle tea, made in a water butt Concentrated…
Why do you need water saving garden tips? You probably have rain drumming down on your roof at this very moment. However, we use 30-60% of our household water in…
‘Give it a root prune every two or three years.’ I was given this advice when I bought my beloved topiary spiral. It is the most significant plant in…
Cannas are one of the most tropical-looking plants. They tap into today’s trend towards exotic gardens. But they can be grown in quite temperate climates. I asked Stephen Ryan, Australian…
This is a very simple, effective way of weeding without chemicals (and almost without effort). It comes from the Abbey Physic Garden in Faversham. The Abbey Physic garden is a…
If you’re heading out into the garden after the winter, you need to take steps to prevent knee or back pain. You may be longing to get out there –…
Low-maintenance plants are difficult to kill. They look good in your garden for a long time, and don’t require complicated pruning or feeding. Here are my favourites. Topiary Lavender (see…
Is your personality better suited to easy compost or fast compost? When I started gardening, I was confused by what appeared to be conflicting advice about compost. There seemed to…
Do you avoid using Latin names for plants? Do they seem too complicated or even unnecessary? After all, we can all have beautiful gardens without knowing the Latin names of…
‘So how many people in this room have done a soil test?’ This question was asked by garden designer Adam Frost at a recent talk at the Painters Forstal Gardening…
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Contemporary cottage garden style – the power of the 70/30 rule
How to achieve the prettiest contemporary cottage garden style – and why the 70/30 rule will make your planting so much more successful.
How to turn a wide shallow backyard into the perfect garden
How to divide up a wide shallow backyard or garden – turn it into a beautiful outdoor space with just a few clever tips.
The really easy guide to pruning hydrangeas
Confused by contradictory advice on how and when to prune hydrangeas? This post makes it easy to achieve beautiful blooms year after year.
Don’t dig up dahlias for winter! What to do instead….
I don’t dig up dahlias to store them over winter. And before you dig your dahlias up, it’s important to know the pros and cons. Do I have to dig…
The absolutely best way to prune English lavender beautifully
Find out how to prune English lavender to make it look better and last longer. Photos of my lavender from 2013-2023 are proof that it works!
How to plant a border like a pro
How to plant a border brilliantly – design tips and practical advice. How to position shrubs and flowers in the best places, plus other tips.
