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 in ...
Exploring the Gardena combisystem gardening tools range | AD
This is a commissioned post in collaboration with GardenaWell, the terrible weather has certainly been a challenge when it comes to the gardening this month, but I’ve finally managed to get out there and tackle some jobs on the list!If you’ve been reading the blog lately, you’ll know that I’m working with leading garden watering and tool brand Gardena this year, using their products to help take care of the garden and make the most of our ...
Plant care tips for containers
Collaborative post 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 ...
Six clever uses for your garden gazebo
Collaborative postDo you have a garden gazebo gathering dust in your shed or garage? We tend to think of these portable structures as a temporary solution on a specific occasion, such as a garden party or camping trip. But there are actually lots of ways you can use a gazebo outdoors. Whether you’ve got a gazebo that’s being neglected, or are wondering whether it’s worth investing in one, here are six ways you can put it to ...
Six easy tips for garden tool maintenance
Collaborative postIf you enjoy gardening as a hobby, you're probably keen to get the best out of your tools and equipment. Having spent money on them, it makes sense to do what you can to keep your tools in good condition, so that they will provide years of service and always be safe to use.If you're not sure where to start when it comes to garden tool maintenance, here are six easy tips on how to keep your kit in tip-top ...
Top 10 beautiful low-maintenance flowering plants
Collaborative postIf you have a garden or backyard, you probably love the idea of it being a lush heaven, full of beautiful flowers and verdant shrubbery. But let’s face it: not everyone has green fingers! That’s where low-maintenance flowering plants come in.Low-maintenance plants bloom beautifully, look amazing both in a pot and in a border, but don’t require you to have a degree in horticulture. Pick the right plants, and you can ...
Vertical gardening with Gardena NatureUp! | AD
This is a commissioned post in collaboration with GardenaIntroducing my new vertical herb garden!I do love a new gardening project, and this week I’ve been enjoying myself creating a herb garden for our new patio. If you’ve been reading the blog lately, you’ll know we’re in the middle of a complete garden re-design, so this little project has been a lovely way to take a break from the heavy work and give us some instant ...
How to get your garden ready for summer
Summer is on the way, and with it the chance to spend more time enjoying our outdoor space. Is your garden ready? During the colder months we naturally spend less time taking care of our gardens, but when the weather warms up again in summer we immediately want to get out there and enjoy them. The trouble is, there’s often work required to get things looking good before we can sit back and enjoy the view! If your garden is looking a ...
Happy gardening with Fiskars | AD
This is a commissioned post in collaboration with FiskarsThe gardening season is well and truly underway, and it’s time to get busy :)Spring and summer are usually the time of year when the garden demands the most from us. With plants putting on growth spurts, weeds doing the same, and warmer weather creating the need to keep up with watering, it can all feel a bit stressful!I’m feeling the gardening pressure in a different way ...
The garden tools and equipment you really need
Collaborative postIf you had to estimate how many pieces of gardening equipment you had, how big would that number be? Be honest!I’m asking this question because I’ve just given my shed a bit of a tidy-up before the gardening season really takes off, and I almost disappeared under the pile of gardening stuff I had to re-arrange. And that got me thinking: which things could I literally not garden without?There’s a ...