We’re into the height of summer now, and you might be thinking it's too late to plant anything and enjoy it's flowers or harvest this year. But there are still lots of things you can plant this month that will give your garden a boost, or prepare it for the later months of the year. Here's what to plant in July. Flowers to plant in July Summer bedding plants At this time of year a few bedding plants are a great way to fill any gaps ...
Gardening Calendar: What to Plant in June
You may be reading the title of this post and thinking “but it’s too late to plant anything now”. Don't worry, I've got lots of ideas for what to plant in June! Starting off your plants a little later than you intended just means your flowers and crops will be a little later too. Summer may be upon us, but there are still plenty of things to sow, grow and plant this month. If you're not sure what to plant in June, here are my top picks ...
Growing sunflowers in a pot: fun gardening for kids
Are you growing plants with the kids this year? If you're looking for easy seeds to grow with children it's hard to beat growing sunflowers in a pot. And now is a great time to get planting! As well as producing seriously impressive blooms, sunflower seeds are easy for little hands to deal with, and pretty low maintenance to grow. They're also brilliant for local wildlife; the flowers are great for bees and other pollinating ...
How to grow a windowsill herb garden
If you’re new to growing your own food, a windowsill herb garden is an ideal place to start! Growing herbs from seed is a low-cost way to have fresh herbs for your cooking, with one packet of seeds usually containing enough for a few pots of herbs. And it's really easy to grow herbs from seed - you don’t even need a garden to do it. Lots of herbs will grow very well on a windowsill indoors. Growing herbs indoors is also an ideal gardening ...
The best seed planting tools – and how to improvise with what you’ve got
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 ...
How to grow potatoes in bags: easy step-by-step guide
It's potato planting time! I think it's impossible to beat the taste of homegrown new potatoes, and they're not difficult to grow at all. In fact they're a brilliant veg to grow with kids; they're nice and chunky to handle when planting, the kids get to pile soil on them as they grow, and harvest time is basically a treasure hunt as all those lovely spuds are unearthed! If you've got lots of room in the garden or at an allotment, ...
Gardening Calendar: What to Plant in April
April is when things really start to get going in the garden. The soil is warming up, the risk of frost is much lower, and there's lots of planting to be done! If you’re keen to sow, grow and plant things this month, here are some ideas for what to plant in April. Flowers to plant in April Bedding plant & hardy annual seeds April is a good time to sow seeds for hardy annuals and summer bedding plants. Growing these plants ...
How to sow seeds with kids: tips to make it easy and fun
Are you growing seeds with the kids this year? It's always a big hit with my two, in fact it's probably their all-time favourite gardening job. I can see why. There's the Jack & the Beanstalk effect of planting a seed and seeing it magically turn into a plant, the outdoorsy-ness of the whole thing, the grown-up feeling such responsibility gives them, and of course the all-important getting grubby element. How to sow seeds with ...
Gardening Calendar: What to Plant in March
The arrival of March really is the start of the growing season in my mind - even if the weather isn't in agreement and it’s still freezing outside! If you’re raring to go in the garden or allotment, here are some ideas for what to plant in March. Flowers to plant in March Bedding plant & hardy annual seeds If you have a greenhouse (even a miniature one), you can get started on sowing seeds for summer bedding plants and hardy ...
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 ...