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 save seeds. Seed saving tips Get your timing right - you need to collect seeds when they are just about to disperse, as this means they are ...
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 ...
Saving water and time in the garden with Gardena’s automatic watering system |AD
This is a commissioned post in collaboration with GardenaHow is your garden looking now that we’ve reached late summer? We’ve finished edging our new lawn now, and I’ve started putting the plants back into the borders, but I still have quite a few gaps to fill, so I’m busy working out a plant shopping list - very exciting!Our patio containers have been fantastic this year, and are still going strong. My absolute favourite ...
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 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 ...
Grow Your Own for kids: how to grow salad
Over the last few years my kids have got involved with lots of different aspects of gardening; they've sown seeds, harvested crops, dug, planted, watered, weeded and simply played in the mud. They love all of it, but if you asked them what their favourite gardening job was, they'd say growing plants from seeds every time.I can understand why. There's just something so magical about planting a seed, watering it, and watching ...
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 ...