So we’re into April - which means the growing season is well and truly underway and you can really get cracking with sowing seeds. You may not have an allotment or a large vegetable plot in the garden, but there are lots of vegetables that can be grown really successfully in containers. Here are my top container vegetables to plant this month. Carrots Carrots have a bit of a reputation for being tricky to grow, because they don’t like stony or ...
Taking the RSPB Wild Challenge: spotting signs of spring and sowing sunflowers
Last year we had a great time partnering with RSPB on family-friendly activities that would help to give nature a home in our garden. You might remember that we planted wildflower seeds, grew flowers for butterflies, made a frog and toad abode, grew plants for moths, and made a bird bath. It was a busy year! We’re thrilled to be working with RSPB again on some fun new projects. Over the next few months we’ll be bringing you more exciting ideas ...
Using artificial grass to tackle tricky outdoor spaces
Artificial grass is becoming more and more popular as a low-maintenance way to create a lush-looking lawn, and it's particularly well-suited to situations where a traditional living lawn is difficult to achieve. This guest post explains the basics of artificial grass, and covers some key outdoor challenges that can be tackled using it. Garden styles and functions vary enormously, and of course every garden is unique in its own way. That ...
Nature Craft: making leaf prints
Isn't autumn just wonderful for crafting inspiration? We've done so many lovely craft activities already this season, and these simple leaf prints are perfect for combining nature play with an art activity to create a homemade masterpiece. This is just one of the fun nature projects in my book, 'A Year of Nature Craft and Play' (co-authored with Becky Goddard-Hill). There’s an activity for every week of the year and it includes ...
Product Showcase: Wickey climbing frames
The kids may be back at school this month, but autumn is still a great time to get them playing outdoors. Mine have been heading straight out into the garden to let off steam after a day of lessons. To be honest, after a summer of reduced working hours and the shock of getting back to normal working patterns, I feel like doing the same thing! If you read the blog regularly you’ll know that I’m a huge fan of outdoor activities. I just find that ...
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 ...
Nature craft: painted rocks
Painted rocks are a classic nature craft, and one that my kids never tire of! It's a great little craft that doesn't need much preparation, and suits pretty much all ages of child. It's also brilliant for those days when the weather isn't fantastic but you'd still like to get hands-on with some natural materials. Here's how to make your own painted rocks. You might like some family-friendly rock jokes too. We use rocks and pebbles from our ...
Fun gardening: How to grow your name in courgettes
This may sound like a rather odd title for a post, but bear with me.... If you're growing courgettes this year, right now you're likely to be inundated with them, and busy trying to find new recipes to use them in or giving them away to friends, neighbours and any random stranger who'll take them. This makes it the perfect time to grow a name in one of your courgettes; it's dead easy, takes a couple of minutes and is an absolutely brilliant, ...
My highlights from RHS Chatsworth Flower Show 2018
Show season is in full swing in the gardening world, and today sees the gates open at RHS Chatsworth Flower Show in Derbyshire. I went along yesterday for a sneak peak at what's on offer, and boy did I get a flower fix! The show is in a fantastic setting, with Chatsworth House as the backdrop, and the showground arranged around a beautiful river. There's a huge amount to see, including five show gardens, a selection of long borders, eight art ...
A Beginner’s Guide to Mountain Biking with Halfords
Are you making the most of the lovely spring weather and getting active outdoors? So far this month we’ve managed some family games in the garden, a few weed-clearing sessions down at the allotment, and lots of seed planting - things are still a bit behind after all that cold weather, so we’ve got some catching up to do! One of the other family activities that we all really love to do together is bike rides. Getting everyone into the saddle ...