Blog

August arrives, and suddenly your garden feels tired. Spring’s enthusiasm has worn off, summer’s peak has passed, and you’re left staring at gaps where earlier perennials have finished flowering. Meanwhile, the weeds seem to have endless energy, popping up everywhere you don’t want them. Sound familiar? I’ve been there too, and it’s exactly why I’ve […]

You’ve chosen beautiful plants, spent good money on quality specimens, and carefully planned your garden design. Yet something’s not quite right. The garden looks off. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone! Even experienced gardeners can fall into plant placement traps that sabotage their best intentions. Let me, the Garden Ninja, walk you through the […]

This show garden is split into different zones to represent the diverse, eclectic mix of community gardens here in the North West. I’ve designed this garden around the themes of diversity and accessibility, with a number of zones to represent them. Garden Ninja designing at RHS Tatton 2021 It’s a huge honour to be asked […]

Quick Answer The best slug-proof plants share two characteristics: rough, hairy or serrated leaves that slugs cannot slide over, and strong aromatic scents that deter them. Top choices include Alchemilla mollis, hardy Geraniums, Geums, Euphorbia, Agastache, Nepeta, Lavender, Sedum, Eryngium, and Foxgloves. Planting these throughout your borders dramatically reduces slug damage without any chemical controls. […]

Before we roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty, let me give you the essential information you need to know about planting hedges. I’ve spent over thirty years working with hedges in gardens across the country, from exposed coastal sites to sheltered urban plots. These are the fundamentals that will determine whether your […]

Sometimes in gardening, even the best-laid planting plans don’t quite work out. Maybe that once-small shrub has become a thug in the border. Perhaps a new shed’s gone up and plunged your prized Calycanthus into shade. Or perhaps you’re redesigning your entire garden and need to start fresh with proper plant positioning and spacing. Whatever […]

A lush, green lawn might seem like the ultimate goal for many gardeners, but maintaining turf can become a constant battle, especially if you want that bowling green lawn all year round. You’ll be left juggling with mowing, feeding, aerating, and watering your lawn on a near-endless rotation! Lawns demand time, energy, and resources from […]

Raspberries (Rubus idaeus) are one of the most rewarding cane fruits to grow in your garden. Their juicy dark pink berries and fuss-free growth raspberries provide an abundant harvest with minimal effort. They are the perfect soft fruit for beginner gardeners to grow even in smaller gardens. This guide will show you how to grow […]

Each month of the year has different lawn maintenance tasks; it’s not as simple as cutting the lawn once a week. There are plenty of other grass-related tasks needed to keep a lawn healthy! Whether it’s scarifying your lawn, feeding twice a year, or even aerating your turf, the timing with these activities is key. […]

With the rise of digital services, online garden design consultations have become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional in-person visits. This approach allows professional designers like me, the Garden Ninja, to offer expert advice remotely via video calls, making garden planning more accessible and convenient. Finally, making virtual garden design via zoom or Google Meet […]