How to start a successful garden from scratch
Starting a garden from scratch is both a challenge and a privilege. When Sarah Langton-Lockton bought her 1920s house, the garden was overgrown to the point of dereliction. It all…
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…
Starting a garden from scratch is both a challenge and a privilege. When Sarah Langton-Lockton bought her 1920s house, the garden was overgrown to the point of dereliction. It all…
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show or ‘Chelsea’, as it’s known in the gardening world, is our Fashion Week. The celebs may dip in and out, but the trends percolate down…
A seashell garden path is probably the most environmentally friendly path option you can choose. It’s relatively cheap and you can lay it yourself. And it’s not just for ‘seaside…
A shady border is truly low maintenance and it flowers for longer. Make the most of it – and do less watering, fertilizing and weeding!
As a garden blogger, I’m often given free gardening gloves to review. However, I also buy them, because not all gardening gloves are the same. There are very big differences…
New directions in garden privacy screens – how to find wood, metal or resin screens that will add style to your garden and improve your privacy. With some great ideas on where to put screens.
‘Daylilies are edible’ I said to our guests. ‘So we’re going to dig some up this weekend and eat them.’ Everyone was very positive (although they may have been secretly…
Winter damage to plants can take you by surprise. The real problems aren’t necessarily caused by snow, freezing winds or low temperatures in the depths of winter But you can…
Tree surgeon, arborist or chain saw man?Find the right tree pruning specialist – the wrong one will make your trees look ugly.
What do you imagine to be the essence of a ‘March garden’? January and February stand for frosts, snowdrops, the brilliant colours of cornus stems and even the last remaining…
I’ve seen other people make natural plant supports from clippings. But not being a very handy person, I hadn’t thought of actually trying it myself. However, I can now reveal…
I’ve always been slightly nervous of buying ‘unusual plants.’ Maybe they’re just for expert gardeners? More demanding? Difficult to grow? If you’re new to gardening, you will often be advised…
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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.
