Last week I spent an amazing day at the BBC Gardeners World Live show at Birmingham NEC. Such a brilliant show - I barely stopped for a break because I couldn't tear myself away from all there was to see, do and try out. I came away with a head full of ideas and, obviously, some lovely new plants - well it would be rude not to, wouldn't it?! Here are my show highlights - so hard to narrow it down! Floral Marquee I made a beeline for the ...
Tips for gardening with hay fever
For gardeners, it’s a cruel irony that hay fever season happens at the best time of the year to be in the garden. There are so many jobs to be getting on with and so many beautiful plants to enjoy - but if you suffer with hay fever heading outside can feel like the worst thing to do. You don’t have to stay indoors until the hay fever season is over though: there are lots of ways to prepare for and deal with hay fever symptoms. Boots have ...
How to make gardening fun for children
It’s true that involving children in your garden or allotment is a fabulously rewarding experience for all taking part, but it can be a little daunting trying to make it fun. I know I’ve been guilty of encouraging the children to come outside with me, only to promptly become preachy and controlling when they try to get involved. And that’s no fun for anyone! I am a bit of a control freak, which is why gardening is so good for me - I have to ...
A garden celebration & giveaway with Crabtree & Evelyn
This week I've a fantastic giveaway courtesy of the lovely people at Crabtree & Evelyn. They are offering one lucky winner a gorgeous 60 Second Fix Kit for Hands from their Gardeners range, worth £25. Last week I spent a lovely evening at my local Crabtree & Evelyn store in Nottingham as part of their garden celebration campaign. The timing couldn't have been better; after a few weeks of gardening in cold winds combined with the ...
How to be a thrifty gardener
It’s that time of year when the weather really makes us want to get out in the garden and create some loveliness. My head is full of plans, wish lists and jobs to get done outdoors, and any spare time spent inside feels like a bit of a waste. All this planning and excitement can end up costing you a fortune though; I think this is the hardest time of year to control your spending on the garden. I’m definitely guilty of getting it wrong and ...