Growing courgettes – my ‘aha!’ moment…
I watered my growing courgettes, along with the rest of the garden, before going to Spain for four days. I was really surprised by the courgettes when I got back….
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 watered my growing courgettes, along with the rest of the garden, before going to Spain for four days. I was really surprised by the courgettes when I got back….
Dahlias are one of the most valuable plants if you want a long flowering season. But they have been unfashionable until recently. A typical dahlia border used to look like…
It’s time to start writing down your plant ideas. As the summer ends, make a note of things you’ve loved in your garden and other people’s. Use your notes and…
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!
Fences for privacy – how to make your garden or backyard more private, plus new fence ideas from the 2021 shows. What you need to know to choose the right fence for your garden.
How is your late summer garden looking? A friend recently told me she was really enjoying hers. I’m pretty pleased with ours, too, provided no-one looks too closely at the…
These are my best garden party ideas, collected over years of giving and going to garden parties. Start with coloured tablecloths and glasses. Arrange seasonal garden flowers in jam jars,…
8 easy-to-copy front garden ideas to make your home attractive, stylish and welcoming. How to use plants, paint and paths to transform your front garden.
If you want inspiration, visit an English country garden. The romantic mix of colour, abundance and formality appeals to people everywhere. Parham House & Gardens in Sussex holds the annual…
‘Gardening supplies’ is a funny term. It covers a whole category of extremely useful things that make gardening much easier. In the past, I used to muddle along with anything…
If you live in a town or village, you probably have a long narrow town garden. It may be shady, over-looked and small. But whatever your gardening style – classic,…
It’s exciting to renovate a garden. But don’t just call in the diggers and try to start again from scratch. That’s one of the biggest mistakes most people make when…
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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.
