if your garden is bigger than a courtyard, but smaller than an acre

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Growing cut flowers at Country Lane Flowers in Kent

How to make money from your garden – growing cut flowers

Sue Oriel has started a business growing cut flowers to sell from her garden. It’s called Country Lane Flowers, which she runs with her friend and neighbour Stephanie Bates. And…

September 15th, 2019

Posted In: Garden style & living, Grow-your-own, Middlesized country


Growing dahlias – everything you need to know

Answers to questions about growing dahlias from dahlia expert Steven Edney, head gardener at The Salutation Hotel & Gardens. When to plant dahlias, how to look after them, how to plant them, which plants grow well with dahlias and how to choose dahlias.

September 1st, 2019

Posted In: Garden trends & design, Gardening know how, Middlesized country, Town gardens


Gardening trousers and other useful kit

Brilliant gardening trousers and other useful kit

I had never considered buying gardening trousers. Because I work from home, I garden in short snatches and stolen moments. I didn’t think it would be worth changing trousers just…

January 6th, 2019

Posted In: Middlesized country, Shop, Town gardens


Silver birch is a striking tree

My best autumn trees for small gardens

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…

November 25th, 2018

Posted In: Garden style & living, Middlesized country, Town gardens


how to find a healing garden

My escape from fear to a healing garden

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,…

November 11th, 2018

Posted In: Garden style & living, Middlesized country, Town gardens


Find out which nutrients your soil lacks with a soil test

Do you really need to do a soil test?

‘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…

November 4th, 2018

Posted In: Gardening know how, Middlesized country, Town gardens


Cornus are good in autumn as well as winter

Autumn garden ideas – what works and what doesn’t

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…

October 28th, 2018

Posted In: Garden style & living, Gardening know how, Middlesized country, Town gardens


Adam Frost’s top tips for your garden redesign

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 you…

October 14th, 2018

Posted In: Garden style & living, Middlesized country, Town gardens


Vintage French chairs

30 inspiring ideas for beautiful garden seating

Garden seating can be a focal point or add colour to your garden, for entertaining friends or as storage. 30 clever ideas from real gardens.

August 5th, 2018

Posted In: Garden style & living, Garden trends & design, Middlesized country, Town gardens


Plants which are fine in a windy garden will self-seed and spread

The best windy garden plants and solutions

Beautiful plants and stylish garden screens to make your windy garden look stunning. And you’ll really enjoy being in it!

July 15th, 2018

Posted In: Garden style & living, Gardening know how, Middlesized country


Shady border tips

A shady border – the best (and easiest) part of your garden?

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…

May 6th, 2018

Posted In: Gardening know how, Middlesized country, Town gardens


How to deal with frost damaged plants

How to deal with winter damage to shrubs….

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…

April 1st, 2018

Posted In: Gardening know how, Middlesized country, Town gardens