Early summer gardening checklist
Here is an early summer gardening checklist, followed by suggestions on how you can make this as easy as possible. Weed paths and borders Decide where you can tolerate weeds,…
RHS Chelsea 2026 has decisively moved away from perfect lawns, large ‘outdoor room’ expanses of new paving, plants that need to be cosseted and a constant battle with soil and…
Here is an early summer gardening checklist, followed by suggestions on how you can make this as easy as possible. Weed paths and borders Decide where you can tolerate weeds,…
How to connect your indoor and outdoor space – use colour, materials and plants to create a seamless link between your house and garden
How to group pots to create a beautiful ‘border’ – you can switch it round, take it with you and have maximum colour every season
Here are answers to the 5 most common spring gardening questions. I prefer not to specify a month, because the trouble with ‘Gardening tips for April (or whatever month)’ is…
Easy wildlife garden tips – simple things you can do that will really make a difference – and your garden will look more beautiful, too
Naturalistic planting design is based on choosing plants that grow well in your area, then repeating them to create a natural rhythm. Because the plants grow easily, it’s low maintenance…
A cottage garden mashup means taking the elements of English cottage garden style and mixing it with your own local plants to create a garden that’s unique to you. I…
When I was asked to name 5 top perennials by Rachel of the YouTube channel Gardening at Douenza, I decided they must be long-flowering and easy to grow. I decided…
Customers often ask plant grower Stephen Ryan for a ‘fast-growing climber to hide an ugly shed.’ His reply is: ‘You don’t need to have an ugly shed.’ He points out…
People often ask me what to do with a larger garden, especially if they’ve recently moved in and inherited someone else’s garden. And although this is the Middlesized Garden blog,…
Confused by contradictory advice on how and when to prune hydrangeas? This post makes it easy to achieve beautiful blooms year after year.
What actually works to stop slugs and snails from eating your garden plants? The first thing to accept is that you will never get rid of slugs and snails permanently….
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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.
