The ‘Secret Garden’ Strategy – how to turn forgotten into fabulous
‘The Secret Garden’ is a magical story about three children restoring an overgrown garden and healing their lives. And it’s also a testimony to how resilient plants can be. If…
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…
‘The Secret Garden’ is a magical story about three children restoring an overgrown garden and healing their lives. And it’s also a testimony to how resilient plants can be. If…
If you live in a traditional house, can you have a modern country garden? And what defines modern country garden style? Here are two gardens that sit side-by-side in the…
When a friend of mine decides to budget, she always starts by buying things. And it’s the same with having a tidy-up. You find yourself buying greenhouses and garden sheds, and gorgeous…
Create a mini wildlife pond in your garden. It helps wildlife and adds interest to your outside space. 5 easy steps to your own mini pond.
You don’t need to spend lots of money to achieve a brilliant terrace, deck or patio revamp. A recent lunch with gardening writer, Francine Raymond, left me with Patio Envy. Or…
The way you prune garden trees will make a big difference to your garden’s privacy and light. Trees mask ugly views, and stop neighbours peering in. But they also shade…
You can transform your shed. Even if it’s old and/or mass produced, you don’t need to spend big money on buying a new shed. Anyone with a middle-sized garden will…
As we middle-sizers are usually short of time, money or both, I thought I’d take you round the garden at mid-summer (Open Garden time!) identifying the time and money-saving tips…
When did you last see evergreen shrubs taking centre stage in a garden? Apart from geometric box and yew? For our parents’ generation, shrubs were at the heart of garden…
Opening your garden as part of a village or town group is a great way of raising money for charity. Even if the gardens aren’t quite Chelsea standard, everyone loves…
You could organise a local open gardens day. It brings neighbours together, and raises money for charity. On June 26th 2016, our garden will be open to the public –…
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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.
