If you're keen to keep the kids busy and active, I've got lots of great kids gardening ideas to inspire and occupy them! Children make very natural gardeners in my experience. They love hands-on activities, they’re curious about nature and the world around them, and they generally relish the opportunity to get grubby! Gardening caters for all of this, and right from the toddler stage it’s perfectly possible for kids to get stuck ...
55 easy grow your own tips, ideas and resources for beginners
Are you keen on the idea of growing your own fruit and veg, but a bit daunted about how to do it? Whatever garden space you've got, there's potential to grow and enjoy fresh fruit and veg - and you don't have to be a gardening pro to do it! Easy grow your own tips and resources I've rounded up a bumper selection of easy grow your own ideas, tips and resources, suited to all sizes of gardens and perfect for getting started with growing your ...
Be Happy Be You: helping to build happy teenagers
Do you have teenage children? If the answer is yes, you definitely need to read on! I've been exploring Be Happy Be You, a new happiness boosting book aimed specifically at teens. It's such a great resource for supporting and encouraging happy teenagers. Be Happy Be You is a positive and insightful guide for teenagers which aims to give them the tools they need to build confidence, eliminate negative feelings and boost happiness in ...
Win a bundle of gardening books from Dorling Kindersley
Welcome to a new giveaway on the blog, which is perfect for gardening fans - and anyone who is buying gifts for green-fingered friends and family this Christmas! I've got a fantastic bundle of gardening books from Dorling Kindersley to give away to one lucky winner. There are titles to suit all ages of garden lovers and growers, and each book is beautifully presented and illustrated. Let's take a look at each title in more ...
Create Your Own Happy: happiness-boosting activities for 7-11 year olds
As my kids are getting older, I’m finding that less of the time I spend looking after them is focused on doing ‘stuff’ for them, and more time is spent helping them to grow and develop emotionally. As a parent, it’s all a bit of a learning curve - like every other aspect of having kids I guess! - and it feels like we’re exploring this whole new area of growing up together. Is it the same for you? I’m always singing the praises of physical ...
Festive reading: A Christmas Tale from Joules
One of my favourite things about the lead-up to Christmas is sharing festive books with my children. We've built up a little collection over the years, and it's always lovely to rediscover our old favourites each year. The build-up to Christmas is inevitably hectic and exciting for kids, and I always find that sharing a lovely Christmassy story is a brilliant way to help them (and me!) unwind and spend some cosy quiet time together. This year ...
Review & Giveaway: Down to Earth by Monty Don
Monty Don is a real gardening inspiration for me. I’ve watched him present Gardeners' World for many years now, and seeing him at work in his amazing garden never fails to give me new ideas and enthusiasm for our own plot. I love the way his passion for gardening is so obvious, and his knack for sharing his extensive knowledge and experience in a way that always feels accessible, even to the most amateur gardener. So, as you can imagine, I was ...