In September, the weather tends to get a little cooler, though sometimes there’s some late sunshine. It’s also harvest time, so if you have a fruit and veg patch, you should be spoiled for choice with things to include in your autumn soups and crumbles. September is also the time to get out and plant […]
Autumn is approaching and before long, the nights will be getting darker and we’ll be getting ready to light the bonfire. But spare a thought for the wildlife that seek a safe haven in your garden, especially hedgehogs. Hedgehogs are busy preparing to hibernate at this time of year, so it helps if you can […]
You might recycle and use your car as little as possible, but did you realise that as a gardener, you’re combatting climate change from your very own garden? Your trees and plants are giving out oxygen while taking in carbon dioxide, and you’re also providing food and sanctuary to birds, wildlife, and pollinators like bees. […]
Have you ever been on a ramble through the woods and wondered ‘If I had to survive out here, what would I eat?’ Nature is a great provider and there are all kinds of berries, herbs, flowers, and fungi that can be eaten. But before you go all Bear Grylls, remember there are certain things […]
During the recent spell of hot weather, were you sweating away tending your garden, or were you trying to relax outside but finding it hard to stay cool? Here are some tips on how to keep cool in your garden when the temperature rises. Think about building a gazebo or arbour to protect you from […]
The summer is here, and our thoughts often turn to eating healthily (whether we actually do it is another question!). We might tuck into more fruit, salads, and lighter foods in general, especially when it’s hot. Fruit and veg in the supermarket can be pricey, they’ve usually been flown thousands of miles, and there’s no […]
If you’re a keen gardener, you want the best looking, most vibrant and fragrant plants in your garden, not something poisonous, smelly, or just downright scary. Here’s our guide to some of the most dangerous plants on earth that you definitely don’t want in your flower bed! Skunk Cabbage As you might guess by the […]
If you love gardening, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s not only great for your physical and mental health, it’s pretty good for the environment too. This is because plants help purify the air, and so the trees, shrubs, vegetable crops, flowers, and herbs in your garden actually help reduce pollution. Plants release oxygen […]
The nicer weather means you’ll be spending more time in your garden. Your precisely-trimmed lawn, your colourful flower beds, and spotless decking fill you with pride, then you catch sight of your garden furniture. Has it seen better days? Does it look weather-beaten, has the colour faded, or has it become more of a home […]
Every year, expert vegetable growers gather at the Malvern Autumn Show to showcase their giant vegetables at the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship. Previous contests featured the world’s heaviest red cabbage, which weighed in at a whopping 23.3kg, and the world’s heaviest chilli pepper. Want to know more about the show? Here are some […]
If you’re a seasoned gardener, you’ll probably be heard telling people rain is good for the garden when they complain about it. But in recent weeks, we’ve had a lot more rainfall than average, and this can do a lot of damage to gardens. Here are some tips on how to protect your garden from […]
So you’ve checked and double-checked that you have your tickets and passports, you’ve cancelled the newspapers and made sure your home is secure, but what about your garden? If your garden is your pride and joy, you don’t want to come back and find it full of dehydrated plants and weeds. To make sure all […]
Rather than the typical British way of seasoning food, namely ketchup, salt and pepper, using herbs can make all the difference to a dish. They can add lots of flavour and nutrients to your cooking, and there’s no need to get them from the supermarket, you can grow your home. Supermarket herbs are okay, but […]
You’ve heard of a man cave, but have you heard of a ‘she shed’? Everyone needs their own little haven to retreat to, and in this blog, we’re going to give the ladies some ideas on how to create one. Whether you’re beautifying a shed or sprucing up a summer house, let us help you […]
Did you enjoy a barbecue over the glorious Easter weekend? The warmer weather might have whetted your appetite for more al fresco dining and get togethers with friends and family, but how do you make your barbecues go with a bang? Spruce up your outside space If your garden is looking a little worse for […]
Admittedly, the Great British Weather may have been kind to us recently, but our summers are known for being changeable to say the least. We Brits tend to love our gardens and we love spending time in them, even though the weather conditions prevent us from doing so for a large part of the year; […]
No, it’s not a mirage, it appears that spring has sprung and that means it’s time to start thinking about the arrival of those long summer days and balmy nights in the garden. Whether you’re having a BBQ or hosting a party, you might want to think about investing in some key pieces for your […]
Now is a good time to clean your greenhouse to get rid of any pests and diseases it’s harbouring before spring arrives. This time of year, it’s likely to contain far fewer plants than it does at other times of the year, and there’s not too much to do in the garden either, so you’ll […]
If you love your garden, the chances are that you’ll love seeing the birds and other wildlife helping it to thrive. Why not help them too? In this article we’re going to show you how you to make a bird box, but first, here are some tips on how you can attract more birds into […]
Just when we thought spring was on its way, winter has reared its ugly head again. As the UK braces itself against snow and ice, spare a thought for the wildlife, especially birds, that have to survive in severe weather conditions. In the winter, it’s a lot harder for them to find food for energy and […]
It’s officially British springtime, and if you’re a keen gardener, you’re probably ready to get stuck into a season of new projects. But before you do, it’s Easter next weekend, so why not turn your garden into a place that’s full of fun for your children or grandchildren and have an Easter egg hunt? Craft […]
The colder weather has definitely arrived, and if you’re a gardener, you’ll be concerned about all of your hard work being ruined by rain, wind, harsh frosts, and snow. But with a little planning and some preventative measures, the plants, trees, and shrubs in your garden can come back stronger and healthier than ever next […]
Your garden can certainly be a more beautiful place in the autumn, with the leaves changing colour, but less sunlight and colder temperatures means that there is less work for you to do in the garden. But even though there may be less work for you to do, it’s a great opportunity to plan which […]
As we go into Autumn, the changes in the weather often mean that you have plenty more garden waste to deal with, and your household energy requirements change. But there’s still plenty of ways you can save energy and go into the new season in the greenest way possible. At home As the colder weather […]
Gardening is good for your physical and mental health, but did you realise that many things you might use in your garden are bad for the environment, like weed killers, pesticides, and artificial fertilisers to name just a few? What is sustainable gardening? Nature actually does a lot of the work for us. There are […]
In these days of austerity and increased awareness of the need to look after the environment, upcycling has become more popular. We are all looking for new ways to reduce our impact on the environment, especially in and around our own homes. Upcycling is like recycling, but even better and it involves only a small […]
Even if you’re a keen gardener, you might not be aware of exactly which species of plant can actually be harmful or poisonous to humans. These plants are an important part of our ecosystem and many are a food source for insects and birds. They contain substances they need for their own survival which sometimes […]
Growing your own vegetables from seeds is an economical and rewarding way of eating healthily, avoiding pesticides, and protecting the environment. How to start growing your seeds There are 2 main ways you can grow seeds: In a greenhouse or conservatory, or indoors on a windowsill You can sow the seeds indoors then pot and […]
Many gardeners are turning to organic gardening as a way of growing their own food and plants without having to use chemicals or artificial fertilisers. Organic gardening is also good for wildlife, as not using chemicals can protect the natural food chain of your garden. You don’t need chemicals Problems with plants and pests can […]
The kitchen garden is becoming a popular concept. Concerns about the safety and nutritional value of supermarket produce, the effects of climate change on crops, and the need to feed a growing population has led to many people growing their own produce to save money, reduce waste, and protect the environment. Not to mention the […]
