Autumn is traditionally the time to plant spring flowering bulbs in the garden, with daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, iris and crocus all popular choices. But while you’re planting bulbs in the garden, it’s a great idea to pot up some of those bulbs and ‘force’ them to flower early, so you can enjoy the blooms indoors before spring arrives.Forcing spring bulbs isn’t tricky, you basically need to trick the bulbs into thinking it’s already ...
How to plant bulbs
I love growing flowers from bulbs. You can create a really colourful display at times of the year when the rest of the garden is still playing catch up, and there’s such a wide variety to choose from. Bulbs are also relatively cheap compared to buying plants, so they’re a great way to create real wow factor in your garden without spending a fortune. If you’d like to add some bulbs to your garden, here’s how to do it.Choose your ...
How to make a bulb lasagne
If you’ve never heard of a bulb lasagne you’re probably raising your eyebrows right now. It is a real gardening ‘thing’ though!Planting a bulb lasagne in a container is a clever way of layering up spring-flowering bulbs to create a display of flowers that lasts for months. It’s really easy to do and will give you a lovely display throughout the winter months for very little effort. What’s not to like?This time of year is perfect for ...
How to find the right gardening company for your project
Have you ever called in the pros to help you with the gardening? I think garden maintenance is often one of those jobs that we feel a bit embarrassed about not doing ourselves. We should be able to find time to keep on top of it, right? Well in reality, that’s not always possible! Trying to find ways to squeeze the gardening into an already hectic home life is how my ten minute gardener series came about. And while a few minutes of gardening ...
Autumn gardening: tips for saving seeds
With autumn getting underway and many plants starting to shut down for the colder months, now is a good time to try harvesting seeds from your garden. Like dividing existing plants, saving seeds is a great way to get lots of new plants for free - and it’s easier than you think. Here are some tips on how to give it a try.Get your timing right - you need to collect seeds when they are just about to disperse, as this means they are ripe and ...
Summer garden makeover ideas with T J Hughes
Aren’t we having the most glorious summer at the moment? I’m writing this post with the windows open and the sun streaming in, and I’m thinking I really must sort out some shade for my laptop screen so that I can write out in the garden. I’m desperate to make the most of the season when it’s so glorious out there - particularly after the extra-long cold start we had to the year! Spending more time outdoors in the garden always gives me a ...
Tips for effective summer garden watering
Having spent the last few months coaxing seeds and plants to grow, everything in the garden and allotment is now shooting off at a crazy speed. Suddenly it feels as if I’m in a race to provide the plants with what they need in order to thrive.Watering forms a big part of this job; with the summer months upon us and plants growing so fast, the demand for water is at it’s peak. Providing your plants with adequate water at this time of year ...
Gardening for Nature: easy ways to create a bee-friendly garden
If you’re interested in gardening and nature you’re probably aware that bees are in trouble, with numbers and species in quite dramatic decline. What you might not be aware of is just how important bees are to us and the planet in general.Bees don’t just make honey and give us a lovely sound in the garden on summer afternoons. Bees are vital for the pollination of plants - including food crops - and this insect family which is ...
Plant care tips for containers
The world of plant care can be more than a little bewildering, can’t it? Unless you’re a gardening expert, it can be tricky working out just what you need to do (or not do!) to make sure your indoor and outdoor plants thrive. I love gardening, but that certainly doesn’t mean I’ve got the plant care right every time; in fact I’ve had many disasters over the years. I’ve also had lots of times where my plants thrived but I didn’t really know why, ...
What to consider when choosing garden furniture
Are you looking to update your garden furniture? Today's guest post has lots of helpful tips to help you find the perfect option for your outdoor space.Buying garden furniture is a long-term investment, and making the right choice can really help transform your garden space. However, planning is key. It’s not about buying a garden furniture set because it looks good, or because it’s in the sale; it has to fit and work with the space you have ...