Blog

Here’s the uncomfortable truth that most plant shops won’t tell you: improper drainage kills more container plants than practically any other factor. Many gardeners contact me after spending a fortune on beautiful specimens, potting them up in stunning containers, and then wonder why their plants look increasingly miserable before dying completely. The culprit? Water sitting […]

Here’s the reality I share with every garden design client who asks about their mossy lawn: simply killing the moss without addressing the underlying cause is like bailing out a sinking boat without fixing the hole. You’ll be fighting the same battle every single season, spending money on moss killers whilst the underlying problems remain […]

If you’ve been thinking about starting a vegetable garden but feel overwhelmed, let me introduce you to your new best friend: the humble courgette. After designing hundreds of gardens and growing vegetables at Garden Ninja HQ for over thirty years, I can tell you with absolute certainty that courgettes are the gift that keeps on […]

This may come as a surprise to you gardeners, but true blue flowers are absolute gold dust in the gardening world! I’m Lee Burkhill, the Garden Ninja, and in my 35 years of gardening and designing hundreds of gardens across the UK, finding genuinely blue flowers (not purple-blue, not lavender, but proper blue) is one […]

I’m Lee Burkhill, the Garden Ninja, and if there’s one colour that absolutely transforms UK gardens throughout the seasons, it’s purple. From the palest lavender to the deepest aubergine, purple flowers bring sophistication, drama, and an air of mystery that no other colour quite achieves. After designing hundreds of gardens across the North West and […]

There’s something utterly transformative about a garden at dusk. As the day’s heat subsides and shadows lengthen across borders and pathways, an entirely different sensory experience emerges in our gardens. In my years designing gardens across Britain and consulting internationally, I’ve witnessed countless clients discover the magic of evening fragrance for the first time, and […]

When should you plant potatoes in the UK? First early potatoes are planted in late March, second earlies go in during early to mid-April, and maincrop varieties are planted from mid-April to early May. The exact timing depends on your location – plant slightly later in colder northern regions and earlier in milder southern areas. […]

What are edimentals? Edimentals are plants that deliver double duty in your garden by being both edible and ornamental. These stunning specimens blur the boundaries between decorative planting and productive growing, giving design-conscious gardeners the best of both worlds without compromise. After 35 years of hands-on gardening and designing hundreds of urban gardens across the […]

Slugs and snails can be controlled effectively without chemicals by using physical barriers, setting traps, encouraging natural predators, and creating less hospitable conditions. Beer traps, copper tape, and wool pellets work brilliantly when used correctly. But it’s up to you to decide the ethics of beer traps! If you’ve ever woken up to find your […]

Short answer: If your garden is already thriving with happy, healthy plants, you probably don’t need soil testing. However, if you’re starting a brand new plot, battling persistent plant problems, or growing fussy plants like rhododendrons or blueberries, testing your soil is absolutely essential for success. Why Most Gardeners Skip Soil Testing (And Whether You Should […]