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 ...
Tips for effective summer garden watering
Having spent the last few months coaxing seeds and plants to grow, everything in the garden and allotment is now shooting off at a crazy speed. Suddenly it feels as if I’m in a race to provide the plants with what they need in order to thrive. Watering forms a big part of this job; with the summer months upon us and plants growing so fast, the demand for water is at it’s peak. Providing your plants with adequate water at this time of ...
The best flowers for bees, and easy ways to make your garden bee friendly
Is your garden popular with bees? If not, here are some easy ways to transform it into a bee friendly garden that these vital insects will love to visit. Why bees are important If you’re interested in gardening and nature, you’re probably aware that bees are in trouble, with numbers and species in quite dramatic decline. What you might not be aware of is just how important bees are to us, and the planet in general. Native bees ...
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 ...
12 must-have essentials for your home tool kit
Collaborative post Even if you’re not a fan of DIY, it’s a good idea to have a basic tool kit in your home. Whether you own your rent your property, there are bound to be occasions when you need to carry out small-scale repairs or improvements. This is where a home tool kit comes in very handy. Having the right tools will make any DIY job quicker and easier - and probably more successful too! If you need to build up your own ...
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 ...
Vegetable gardening for beginners: quick and easy vegetables to grow now
Are you keen on the idea of growing your own vegetables, but not really sure where to start? This vegetable gardening for beginners guide is a great first step on your grow your own journey! Growing your own fruit and veg is a brilliant way to become less reliant on shop-bought produce, and of course it's also a fantastic way to keep busy in the garden and get the kids involved too. Having said that, some fruit and vegetables are much easier ...
55 easy grow your own tips, ideas and resources for beginners
Are you keen on the idea of growing your own fruit and veg, but a bit daunted about how to do it? Whatever garden space you've got, there's potential to grow and enjoy fresh fruit and veg - and you don't have to be a gardening pro to do it! Easy grow your own tips and resources I've rounded up a bumper selection of easy grow your own ideas, tips and resources, suited to all sizes of gardens and perfect for getting started with growing your ...
25 easy nature crafts you can do at home with the kids
Are you searching for inspiration on how to keep the kids busy? This selection of easy nature crafts is a great place to start! I've rounded up 25 lovely nature crafts that you can do with materials from your garden - perfect for combining some outdoor activity with a fun craft. Scroll down for nature craft online resources and recommended reads too. 25 easy nature crafts to do at home Natural noughts and crosses game from Growing ...