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

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Your autumn gardening strategy

Autumn gardening, these days, starts with planting next summer’s perennials, trees and shrubs. I’ve interviewed some wonderful head gardeners this year, such as Asa Gregors-Warg at the Beth Chatto Gardens,…

October 11th, 2020

Posted In: Gardening know how, Town gardens


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


Small garden planting ideas

10 small garden planting ideas that really work

Small garden planting ideas that really work! How to choose and place plants to make your garden feel bigger and more beautiful. And why planting that works in larger gardens sometimes doesn’t work in smaller ones.

August 25th, 2019

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


Planting ideas for small gardens

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.

August 18th, 2019

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


The garden in three zones, divided by planting

The secrets of contemporary garden design (on the cheap!)

Garden designer Jane Beedle has turned her own muddy back yard into a stylish, colourful contemporary garden in just four months. All on a tight budget. You may know her…

August 11th, 2019

Posted In: Garden trends & design, Town gardens


Old stone steps at Gravetye Manor

What you need to know about garden steps

How high your garden steps should be, how deep, which materials to choose and garden step ideas from traditional and contemporary gardens.

July 21st, 2019

Posted In: Garden trends & design, Town gardens


How to choose and grow cannas

Everything you need to know about growing cannas

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…

February 24th, 2019

Posted In: Garden trends & design, Gardening know how, 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