With Autumn getting into full swing more leaves are falling from the trees each day - which 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 us the perfect opportunity to make leaf mould.Leaf mould is basically rotted-down leaves. It’s low in nutrients, but it makes a brilliant mulch which you can spread on your soil to improve its ...
How to plant garlic
This week I've been planting garlic at the allotment. Garlic is a great crop to grow; it doesn't take up much space, it's not very fussy, and there are lots of different varieties available for you to experiment with. It's also a great crop to involve children with too because it's easy and fun to plant.This year we're growing three heritage garlic varieties from Marshalls. Bohemian Rose comes from the north of Bohemia near to Prague and ...
How to force Spring flowering bulbs
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 ...
Perfect autumn garden projects
My garden is definitely looking very much like an autumn garden now; the leaves are starting to fall, the apple tree is weighed down with fruit, and most of the plants are dying back after a summer of flowering. Things are gradually slowing down, and that change of pace brings with it opportunity. With relatively mild weather and less garden maintenance required, autumn is a brilliant time of year to tackle new projects in the garden. Here are ...
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 ...
Bird-Friendly Garden Landscaping
Whether you’re hoping to kickstart a new hobby in birdwatching, or are looking to do your bit in reversing the decline of certain species, a bird-friendly garden design can work wonders for you and your feathered friends. Creating a bird-friendly haven in your own garden is bound to bring them flocking, but what exactly can you do to improve your garden and attract more birds? Here are a few helpful tips from the experts at Kennedy Wild Bird ...
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 ...
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 ...
Container plant care with Baby Bio Pour & Feed: 3 month update
How’s your garden looking now that we’re into late summer? We’ve had a good summer weather-wise in the UK - including some crazy heat in late June - and I’ve really enjoyed my garden this year. I’ve been trying hard to water effectively, and I’ve also been learning more about dealing with plant diseases and plant pests in an effort to keep everything as healthy as possible. The regular games of football and cricket that go on in our garden ...
Using a soakaway to improve land drainage
Does your garden or outdoor space suffer from flooding or get waterlogged in some areas? If the answer is yes, today's guest post explains how a soakaway might be the answer to the problem. A soakaway is, in a nutshell, a hole that’s dug into the ground and filled with coarse stone and rubble. It’s there to enable surface water to seep back into the earth, and is usually part of a full drainage system; there’s almost always a land drainage pipe ...