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We’re not talking about anything sinister here either, just ancient wisdom about how plants can be used for healing, protection, divination, and generally making life a bit more magical. I’ve already written about trees and their influence on witchcraft, which goes into the heavy hitters of the plant world, but today we’re diving into the […]

Quick Answer Clematis are the most rewarding climbing plants in the UK garden, but success depends on three things: planting them 8 to 10cm deeper than the pot, giving them at least six hours of sun with shaded roots, and pruning them according to their group. Get those right and a clematis will thrive for […]

Quick Answer Garden Rescue is filmed over two days per garden: day one for groundworks and structures, day two when presenters arrive and planting is completed. Gardens are filmed a full year before broadcast. Contributors pay for all materials and plants (minimum £3,000 budget) while design fees and labour are covered by the production. The […]

Quick Answer Prepare the ground by digging to 15cm, removing all weeds and debris, levelling, and creating a fine tilth. Lay rolled turf in a staggered brickwork pattern, butt joints tightly, water immediately, and keep moist for four to six weeks. The best time to lay turf in the UK is September to November or […]

Not sure which scarifier to buy? BBC Garden Rescue presenter Lee Burkhill reviews the best UK lawn scarifiers for every lawn size and budget, from the Darlac DP888 manual rake to the Bosch UniversalVerticut and Hyundai petrol models. Includes a lawn size guide, hire vs buy costs, and honest opinions on which machines are actually worth the money.

Japanese garden design is one of the most studied, imitated, and misunderstood garden styles in the world. I have been fascinated by it for years, both as a garden designer and as someone who has travelled to Japan specifically to walk through the gardens that inspired the whole tradition. Quick Answer A successful Japanese garden […]

The result is the same in both cases: a lawn that limps through spring looking pale and thin, struggles to resist weeds and moss, and never quite achieves the lush, thick sward that every UK gardener is hoping for. I want to change that for you with this complete guide to lawn feeding. This guide […]

RHS-qualified designer Lee Burkhill’s complete guide to pruning box hedges in the UK. When to prune, the batter profile, box blight prevention, renovation pruning, topiary and the best box alternatives.

Lee Burkhill’s complete guide to autumn lawn renovation in the UK. The correct order for scarifying, aerating, overseeding and top dressing, with timings, aftercare and common mistakes to avoid.

I started recommending spreaders to every client asking about lawn care about ten years ago, after watching too many autumn lawn renovation projects produce disappointing results when clients were scarifying or de-mossing their lawns but not overseeding. Once I made a spreader part of the standard recommendation alongside the seed and feed, the difference was […]