The trick with gardening is approaching it as a pleasure rather than a chore. I've found the best way to do this is to have a daily wander round the garden. Stopping to pinch out the side-shoots on the tomato plants, checking how the buds on the Dahlias are fattening up & what needs tying … [Read More...]
Do we need fewer garden chores?
I didn't intend to spend half the weekend gardening, it's just that it all took much longer than I thought it would. Does this happen to you, & if it does did … [Read More...]
What To Do In The Garden In June
This is one of those glorious months in the garden, when the work really begins to pay off. Now that night-time frosts are no longer a possibility, I've been … [Read More...]
Unmissable Garden Shows in 2019
Garden Shows are the perfect day out. There's the opportunity to talk to plant sellers, the people who actually grow the plants. This is the case at Royal … [Read More...]
What To Do In The Garden In May
This is it, the time is here to plant out those carefully nurtured seedlings & small plants, & generally get things ship-shape for summer. All plants … [Read More...]
How To Grow Plenty Of Plants From Seed.
Growing plants from seed can be an uncertain business, so let me share a simple method that guarantees plenty of plants for your garden. Sowing seeds is … [Read More...]
What To Do In The Garden In April
What to do in the garden in April, well quite a lot since you as you ask. Though its all quite manegable, I've been making lists & getting through them … [Read More...]
Gardening with less plastic.
My word, April is a busy time in the garden, but busy in a good way, with the promise of this fresh season unfurling before us. And because we're in the … [Read More...]
How To Re-Pot Houseplants
They’re there day after day, almost part of the furniture, but houseplants deserve more than a weekly watering, they also need to be re-potted into fresh … [Read More...]
What To Do In The Garden In March
We’re teetering on the edge of Spring here in the South-East of England. The days are getting longer, & there’s more bird song around, it really is a time to be … [Read More...]
How To Grow The Best Sweet Peas.
I'm dreaming of a billowing row of divinely scented, colourful sweet peas, lasting all summer long. So here's the plan to help you grow the best sweet peas, & to … [Read More...]
What To Do In The Garden In February
I've been wondering about re-naming this monthly series of looking after your garden. I don't want it to sound like a list of chores or something you put off doing. … [Read More...]
Vegetables To Grow And Sow In February
What vegetables to grow & sow in February largely depends on the weather. The longer days are noticeable, but its a few weeks before there’s a good amount … [Read More...]
The Advantages of A January Garden.
As the end of January approaches, I have to admit, I’m going to miss her. There’s a clamour & a whole host of hashtags dedicated to the arrival of Spring, … [Read More...]
How To Grow Chillies
And we’re off! … its time for the first vegetable seeds to be sown. January is too cold & dark for most seeds, but ideal for chillies. Chilli plants like … [Read More...]
Garden Plans For 2019
Here we are, teetering on the edge of a new year, with dreams of a garden of lush vegetables, fragrant herbs & sweet smelling roses. But this will only happen … [Read More...]
What To Do In The Garden In January
Given kind weather, gardening at this time of year is a particular joy. I spent a couple of happy sessions having a clear-up in the garden during the … [Read More...]
What To Do In The Garden In November
Winter is a balance between getting things cleared away & ready for the next year whilst not being over-zealous about clearing away too much. I’m fond of a … [Read More...]
Glorious Autumn Colour For Your Garden.
I hope you're enjoying the autumn colour, that last fiery farewell in the garden before winter gets a grip. I've made a determined effort … [Read More...]
What To Do In The Garden In October
Bright days, cold nights & beautiful autumn colours are breaking out all over. Tall grasses that have played a supporting role, become more … [Read More...]
Kokedama Workshop at Jamie Oliver H.Q.
Its easy to see why houseplants are back in the spotlight, at little cost, they instantly transform a room into a more vibrant space & boost your mood, we all … [Read More...]
What To Do In The Garden In September
September in the garden is a pleasure. The weather is mild, the Miscanthus grasses are flowering, a couple of roses are flowering again & I'm harvesting spinach, … [Read More...]
Growing Salad Leaves Through Winter – The Low-Down
Home grown salad leaves are one of the joys of growing your own vegetables, & there's no need to stop at the end of summer So much cheaper than supermarket … [Read More...]
How To Avoid Watering Your Garden
We're right in the middle of a summer heatwave here in the UK, which has meant soaring temperatures of at least 85 degrees on a daily basis, & no … [Read More...]
What To Do In The Garden In July
July, what an interesting month you've been. Vegetables have been slow coming this year, what with the slugs that thwarted my early sowings & the lack of … [Read More...]
The War On Slugs
One of the joys of gardens is how the same one can vary from one year to the next, as new plants are added, & how the weather affects the size, shape … [Read More...]
What To Do In The Garden In June
Here we are half-way through the year, with the longest day on the 21st. June celebrates the joy of gardening, the roses are at their best & there … [Read More...]
Plants At The Chelsea Flower Show 2018
Now that the initial excitement of the Chelsea Flower Show is over for this year, I've been looking back through my notes & photos, & I’m reminded just how … [Read More...]
Great Gardens At The Chelsea Flower Show 2018
The Chelsea Flower Show this year was a good one, it's inspiring to see how over the years, many of the designs have adapted to the world we live in now. Generally … [Read More...]
What To Do In The Garden In May
May is such a lovely month in the garden. Vibrant, fresh growth, the promise of things to come, & all with a backdrop of the sweetest birdsong. But time is … [Read More...]
How To Grow Your Own Herbs.
Growing your own herbs is one of the easiest things to do for a more sustainable life-style, & fresh herbs straight from your garden, have so much … [Read More...]
Three Simple Ways To Garden Sustainably
Hello how’s your garden (or window box) growing? Rain has limited gardening outside, so I’ve been sowing seeds & pottering about in the greenhouse. This has … [Read More...]
What To Do In The Garden In March
I’m not a natural list maker, I have to fight the urge to just get on & do things, but, when I’ve made one, I immediately feel organised. They've … [Read More...]
New Garden Gear To Make Life Easy, Stylish & Sustainable
The view from my kitchen door, early one morning, just before heading off to London last week for the day. I love a visit to London, to walk through the city … [Read More...]
Spring Flowering Bulbs – A Quick Hack
I rather like this stage of winter. The trees are still bare, the light is steely-grey, but a close look reveals green shoots nosing their way through the … [Read More...]
The Garden In January
It’s a bright, cold day here, & if I wasn’t writing this, I’d be out in the garden, … honestly I would, because if you’re wrapped up well, it’s a fine place to … [Read More...]
Last Years Favourite Garden Visits.
When I lived in Oslo in the 80's, I'd ask Norwegian friends how they got through the long winters. Their answer was always the same, warming … [Read More...]
Come & Have A Look At This Beautiful Garden.
As the year draws to a close, I've been thinking back on gardens I visited this year. One of my favourites, had a few moments of fame as the backdrop to a recent BBC … [Read More...]
The Garden In December.
December in the garden is a good month. It's the ideal antidote to the business of Christmas, a time to wrap up & quietly get on with things outside. I've … [Read More...]
The R.H.S. Autumn Show 2017
Hello, it's nice to see you here, I wanted to share my visit to The R.H.S. Autumn Show in London last week with you. I hate to miss this one, it always feels like … [Read More...]
Join Me On A Visit To Sissinghurst Garden
Sissinghurst, that iconic garden, is only a 90 minute drive from us, but it’s been at least 4 years since the last visit, so on one of those beautifully, bright … [Read More...]
What To Do In The Garden In October
I hope you're enjoying the autumn colour, if you're in this part of the world? It almost makes me happy that summer is over. I've got a whole list of things to do … [Read More...]
A Fabulous Garden Tucked Away In The Welsh Hills.
Arriving at Allt-y-bela feels a little like driving straight into a picture, perhaps because I know it so well from all the magazine pictures I’ve seen. Despite this … [Read More...]
What To Do In The Garden In September
We’re at that time between summer & autumn, when the garden is poised & ready for change, & when a few simple tasks, will make all the difference to the … [Read More...]
What Do We Think About Garden Power Tools?
Generally I like my gardening to be a calm activity. To maintain this calmness, any garden power tools have to earn their keep. For instance, I used a battery … [Read More...]
What To Do In The Garden In August.
August is a busy, productive month in the garden. The vegetable garden is at full tilt & we're realising the fruits of our labours, picking vegetables … [Read More...]
Delightful Dahlias & How To Keep Them Flowering.
We’ve had plenty of sunshine & rain here recently, & everything has taken advantage of this, growing at a fast pace. This of course, includes the numbers of … [Read More...]
A Day The Hampton Court Flower Show 2017
I have hazy memories of visiting the first Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in 1993 & my how it's changed over the years. My impression is that in those … [Read More...]
Easy Elderflower Cordial.
Elderflower cordial is one of those things that's deeply satisfying to make. This is an easy recipe & has a lovely, fresh flavour & tastes so much better … [Read More...]
Best Gardens At The Chelsea Flower Show 2017
The best gardens at The Chelsea Flower Show, are the ones that I find myself returning to a couple of times during the morning, taking more photos & generally … [Read More...]
Hardening Off Plants Ready For The Big Outdoors
This is first year of having a greenhouse & it’s been so helpful to have extra growing space. Though without heat, seedlings were still housed on bedroom … [Read More...]