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 in December that I will make some changes to our planting, to stop this lack of interest continuing into another year. ...
What to plant now – February
We’re almost there.... February is underway and spring is just around the corner. I still want it to hurry up though! It really won’t be long before I’m up to my neck in packets of seed and fussing over my labelled pots like a mother hen. But the fact remains that it’s still winter, and most plants just won’t tolerate being started off until the weather warms up a bit and the light improves. There are some that will happily get ...
How to add interest to your winter garden
A quick glance out of my kitchen window confirms that winter is definitely in residence in the garden. The light is low, the tree branches are the only real structure in sight, most border plants are dormant and the lawn is blanketed in yet another carpet of fallen leaves (note to self: make more leaf mould). Down at the allotment, everything is looking very bare, and the last time so much soil was unused was back ...
What to plant now – January
If you’re anything like me, by January you’ll have had enough of being content with looking forward to sunnier days and will be longing to get outside and plant something. I dearly love the whole process of coaxing plants into life and it feels like an age since I last pushed a seed into some earth and willed it to grow. I think I have the gardening equivalent of itchy feet! To satisfy my cravings I’ve been looking at what will actually ...
3. The 10 minute gardener: spring garden prep
The start of a new year has worked it’s magic on my gardening enthusiasm, as it always does. I’ve replaced the frenzy of Christmas with a gentler form of excitement, and my mind is buzzing with ideas for the garden and allotment this spring and summer. We may be still in the depths of winter but I do love a good bit of looking forward, don’t you? My problem is getting beyond that looking forward. This is what normally happens in our ...
Winter gardening: how to protect 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. Spend a few minutes this week protecting your tender plants and you’ll be in a great position to enjoy them again later this year. So what do you need to protect? Well that depends ...
3 Easy Ways to Get Creative with Solid Wood Flooring Offcuts
Home renovations can often leave you with surplus materials, and this guest post has some great ideas for putting wooden flooring offcuts to good use. If you’ve recently renovated your home with solid wood flooring, you’ve made an excellent choice. Solid wood floors are timeless, durable, and highly attractive. There’s no doubt that your home will look and feel even more stunning once they’ve been fitted, but there’s one thing you’re going to ...
Tips for choosing a real Christmas tree
Are you opting for a real Christmas tree this year? It’s hard to beat the impact of a real tree laden with all your treasured family decorations - even if those decorations are all in one small area thanks to the kids’ creative efforts! A real Christmas tree isn’t a cheap option, so naturally we all want to choose a really good one - but it can be quite bewildering knowing what to look out for and what to avoid when you make your ...
Do’s and don’ts when caring for marble worktops
Do you have marble worktops in your kitchen? This guest post has lots of great tips for keeping them in top condition. Not only are marble worktops a source of beauty in your home, they’re also viewed as a luxury item and can add to the value of your home. Lots of people are choosing to invest in natural stone surfaces for their home, due to their greater durability, aesthetic appeal, functionality, and the sheer luxury status over other ...
How To Create The Perfect Environment For Working From Home
If you work from home, you'll know it can sometimes be a challenge to create an effective workspace. This guest post has lots of tips to help you get it right. When it comes to advising people about their home environment, there is no one ideal working space that will suit everyone. Finding the perfect working from home environment depends on your living conditions, personal preferences, and the type of job you do. Here are some ideas ...