Are you sowing seeds right now? It's a great low-cost way to grow your own vegetables, herbs and salad crops - not to mention lots of garden flowers and plants. And you don't have to be a gardening pro - or have lots of fancy planting tools - to do it. It's fair to say that having some basic seed planting tools can make life easier, and also increase your chances of success. Don't be put off if you're unable to get hold of some things ...
My top winter plants to perk up your garden
We’re heading towards the last ‘official’ weeks of winter, phew! With spring not far off in the garden, it’s only natural to be a bit impatient for that rush of colour that the warmer weather brings. Our garden has been looking decidedly drab all winter. For the last couple of years I’ve promised myself that I will make some changes to our planting, to stop this lack of interest continuing into another year. Guess what? It ...
4. The 10 minute gardener: quick gardening in February
If you always feel like you don't have enough time for gardening, or just need some guidance on what to focus on each month, this is the series for you! Read on for tips and ideas on quick gardening jobs for February. While January was a low-input month in the garden, we spent a lot of time planning, sketching and dreaming. The kids chose what to grow in their plots and I sorted out my seed order. Now the end of winter is ...
Winter plant protection: how to look after tender plants
At this time of year temperatures can drop suddenly in the garden, leaving tender plants decidedly worse for wear. It’s so tempting to leave them outside when the weather is still mild, but I’ve lost plants this way before and learned my lesson. These winter plant protection tips will help you take care of your tender plants so that you can enjoy them again later this year. So what do you need to protect? Well that depends on a couple of ...
5. The 10 minute gardener: quick Spring gardening jobs
This week, for the first time in months, I’ve been warm while gardening - which must mean that spring is definitely on the way! With the sun streaming in through the window as I write this, it’s hard to resist the call of some spring gardening; that lovely leisurely pottering that only the warmer weather of spring and summer allows. So far it’s been all about wrapping up warm, concentrating on the task in hand, then heading back indoors for a ...
1. The 10-minute gardener: early winter gardening jobs
So here’s my dilemma: life with a young family is hectic and it’s never easy to carve out time for hobbies. And my big passion is gardening, which by it’s very nature involves season-specific maintenance that, no matter how crazy family life gets, I can’t really ignore without suffering the consequences. The last thing I want to do is turn my passion into an endless list of chores that I feel like I’m failing on. What to do? Mulling over ...
5 things a family with small children should consider when choosing holiday accommodation
If you're in the midst of planning a family holiday, today's guest post on choosing holiday accommodation is full of tips to make the task easier. Enjoy! If you’re off on your travels this summer with the little ones in tow, there are a few things you’ll need to bear in mind when choosing the most suitable holiday accommodation for you all. No matter where you’re headed, either at home or abroad, keep these things in mind and your getaway will ...
6. The 10 minute gardener – quick garden jobs for April & May
I’m feeling more than a little behind with my gardening jobs this month. Everything just grows so fast at this time of year! I’ve managed to stay on top of things at the allotment, but the garden is another story. And with all the loveliness and perfection of the Chelsea Flower Show on the horizon, it feels like I need some quick gardening jobs now more than ever. Despite this urge to gain control in the garden, I don’t think you can ever ...
How to choose the best garden building for your home
Do you have an outdoor building in your garden? I would guess that most of us have a shed of some sort, but increasingly we are looking to our outdoor areas to provide additional living space too. Rising house prices, the growing popularity of home working, and the trend towards slower living and re-connecting with nature are just a few factors contributing to the growing range of garden buildings on the market. If you’re looking to replace or ...
What to plant now for your Summer garden
A glorious summer garden. Sitting here in the depths of winter it feels a long way off, doesn’t it? Planning for your summer garden by sowing seeds and introducing plants at this time of year may sound a little hasty, but it really isn’t too early to make a start. It’s actually very sensible to start planning your borders now, because doing so will give you plenty of time to grow a large proportion of plants yourself and save you lots of ...