if your garden is bigger than a courtyard, but smaller than an acre
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Autumn trees are the stars in my November garden. If I didn't have trees, there would be very little to look at. And trees improve air quality and support wildlife. Their height gives a smaller…
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, post-traumatic stress disorder and the…
'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 Club. There were over 80…
This year's autumn garden has taught me a lot about choosing plants for late-season colour. [caption id="attachment_9946" align="alignnone" width="400"] The leaves of the Robinia frisia (False acacia) and the Cotinus coggyria 'Grace' are a splendid…
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 often do the work on…
Garden seating is so much more than just a place to sit. A bench can be a focal point, work like a piece of sculpture, can punctuate a hedge or lawn or be a place…
A small garden needs a big idea. You can let a larger garden evolve - and by 'larger' I mean any garden more than about 100ft long or quarter of an acre. [caption id="attachment_9437" align="alignnone"…
I’ve recently been asked about plants and solutions for a windy garden. [caption id="attachment_9359" align="alignnone" width="400"] Sue Marling and Fay Sweet's Suffolk garden is in a windy area, but it is colourful and feels sheltered.…
Self-seeding plants are the key to gardening on automatic. The less you do, the more they grow. And they're free. You buy one packet of seeds or one plant, and get a lifetime of exuberant…
My shady border is probably better for longer than anywhere else in the garden. Although I do far less work in it - less planting and weeding - than I do in the sunnier borders.…
Here in the South East (of England), we're assessing the winter damage to our gardens. The real problems weren't caused by the snow, freezing winds or low temperatures of late February. [caption id="attachment_8631" align="alignnone" width="600"]…
I've always been slightly nervous of buying 'unusual plants.' Maybe they're just for expert gardeners? More demanding? Difficult to grow? [caption id="attachment_8517" align="alignnone" width="600"] Nandina domestica 'Richmond' is a variant that has berries on it…