In these strange times, more and more of us are turning to gardening as a means of exercise, escape from the pandemic worry, and growing our own fruit & veg. Gardening is brilliant for all of those things - but how do you get cracking during lockdown if you don't already have lots of gardening supplies? This post aims to help you improvise with what you've already got, and also lists UK online gardening retailers that are currently still ...
The best garden tools for planting seeds – and how to improvise with what you’ve got
Are you sowing seeds right now? It's a great low-cost way to grow your own vegetables, herbs and salad crops - not to mention lots of garden flowers and plants. And you don't have to be a gardening pro to do it. Having the right tools for planting seeds can really make life easier, and also increase your chances of success. Don't be put off if you're unable to get hold of some things though; there's always a way to improvise with what ...
Easy sustainable gardening: eco-friendly gardening tips for greener gardens
How much do you know about sustainable gardening? It’s certainly a big issue in the gardening world right now, with high-profile gardeners and TV shows championing the benefits of eco-friendly gardening. What is sustainable gardening? Sustainable gardening is all about minimising human interference, and using natural resources and processes. This doesn’t mean you have to allow your garden to become a wilderness, rather that you ...
My top winter plants to perk up your garden
We’re heading towards the last ‘official’ weeks of winter, phew! With spring not far off in the garden, it’s only natural to be a bit impatient for that rush of colour that the warmer weather brings. Our garden has been looking decidedly drab all winter. For the last couple of years I’ve promised myself that I will make some changes to our planting, to stop this lack of interest continuing into another year. Guess what? It ...
Easy ways to make your garden look good in winter
A quick glance out of my kitchen window confirms that winter is definitely in residence in the garden. The light is low, the tree branches are the only real structure in sight, most plants are dormant, and the lawn is blanketed in yet another carpet of fallen leaves (note to self: make more leaf mould). This all sounds more than a little bleak, but actually it’s not that hard to add interest to your winter garden. At the simplest level it’s ...
Winter plant protection: how to look after tender plants
At this time of year temperatures can drop suddenly in the garden, leaving tender plants decidedly worse for wear. It’s so tempting to leave them outside when the weather is still mild, but I’ve lost plants this way before and learned my lesson. These winter plant protection tips will help you take care of your tender plants so that you can enjoy them again later this year. So what do you need to protect? Well that depends on a couple of ...
How to make the most of artificial grass
Collaborative post Do you have artificial grass in your garden? It’s certainly a lawn option that’s growing in popularity, offering a practical, low-maintenance way to green up your outdoor space. Whether you’re considering artificial grass for your garden, or looking for help with artificial lawn maintenance, these tips have got you covered. Here’s how to make the most of artificial grass. A quick guide to artificial ...
Japanese knotweed: How close is too close?
Collaborative post Are you worried about the impact of Japanese Knotweed on your property? This article by Stuart Snape, Managing Partner at Graham Coffey & Co. Solicitors, explains what you need to look out for, how to deal with Japanese knotweed, and your legal rights should this invasive plant become a problem. What is Japanese Knotweed? Japanese knotweed - also known by it's Latin name, Fallopia Japonica - is a feared ...
Tackling my autumn garden maintenance with Gardena products | AD
This is a commissioned post in collaboration with Gardena I do love the slower pace of autumn in the garden. There’s less weeding and watering to do, which gives me a chance to potter about, tidy up and make plans for new projects. We’ve had a lot of rain so far this season, but also some gloriously sunny days - it’s hard to beat autumn sunshine isn’t it? I’ve been working with leading watering and garden tool brand Gardena ...
How to make leaf mould – easy, free garden fertiliser!
This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links will be clearly marked with a * and if you click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission from that sale. With autumn getting into full swing, more leaves are falling from the trees each day. This is good news for family walks - who doesn’t love stomping through a big pile of crispy leaves? It’s also good news for gardeners, as fallen autumn leaves give ...