10 no-time, no-money last-minute Easter decorating secrets
I woke up to Easter decorating rather late this year. You may already have your spring door wreath, complete with succulents and quails’ eggs on your door. And you may…
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…
I woke up to Easter decorating rather late this year. You may already have your spring door wreath, complete with succulents and quails’ eggs on your door. And you may…
Plants, tips and ideas from plant expert Stephen Ryan to help you create an exotic garden, even if you are in a cool or temperate climate. How to rock the tropical garden trend!
Garden bloggers see alot of new garden tools and books at the beginning of the gardening year. This year, garden tools are lighter and stronger than they’ve ever been before….
People with middle-sized gardens used to worry about garden sculpture and ornaments. They seemed too close to garden gnomes. As children, we loved peering into front gardens to see a…
Could you double or treble the amount of food you grow in your small urban garden? I visited a garden recently which packs layers of fruit, vegetables and herbs into…
I’ve had so many questions about why Facebook is important in the past few months. Even those who hate social media are tentatively asking me whether I would explain a…
This is the story of how you can build a unique shed out of salvage, imagination and hard work. Garden maker Posy Gentles decided she wanted a new shed several…
What does a garden blogger do? Or, indeed, what does any blogger do? And, most importantly, does blogging make money? If so, how? The world wakes up in February, after…
What is a romantic garden? Everyone will have their own definition. So with Valentine’s Day looming up, I’ve picked out ten ‘romantic garden’ ideas. Just a little bit wild… A…
Until 100 years ago, we used medicinal plants to treat most illnesses. And, according to a new book, The Gardener’s Companion to Medicinal Plants, they still do in Africa, Asia and…
Gardening illegal? Surely not! But when I was recently ‘researching gardening’ (otherwise known as ‘wasting time’) online, I discovered that one of the common questions about gardening is ‘where is…
Espaliered fruit trees are probably the smartest trees to look at in winter, with their tailored elegance. And in summer, they’re good space-savers for middle-sized gardens. Espaliered fruit trees offer…
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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.
