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Quick Answer Tree grafting joins a scion (a cutting from your chosen variety) to a rootstock (which controls eventual tree size) using a clean angled cut, grafting tape, and sealing wax. Late winter to early spring is the best time for whip grafting in the UK, when trees are still dormant but sap is beginning […]

Quick Answer Divide herbaceous perennials in early spring or autumn when plants are not in flower. Lift the clump with a fork, split it by hand, with back-to-back forks, or with a sharp spade depending on root type, and replant divisions immediately with good compost and thorough watering. Most perennials benefit from division every two […]

Let’s talk softwood cuttings, the easiest way to propagate plants for free! Learn exactly when and how to take softwood cuttings from your favourite shrubs, perennials, and climbers. This step-by-step guide covers timing, technique, rooting methods, and aftercare to transform garden trimmings into thriving new plants. Perfect for budget-conscious UK gardeners wanting instant results. Taking […]

Quick Answer Prune Cornus (grown for winter colour) in late March to early April, once established for three or more years. Cut all stems back to around 10cm above ground level. This hard pruning, called coppicing, encourages vigorous new growth that produces the brightest stem colour the following winter. Young plants under three years old […]

Quick Answer Dahlias are tender perennials grown from tubers that flower from July until the first frosts, giving you three to four months of colour. Plant outdoors after the last frost in late May, in full sun with well-drained fertile soil. Feed fortnightly, deadhead consistently, and lift tubers in autumn for frost-free winter storage. In […]

Quick Answer The Hayter Osprey 46 is one of the best petrol lawn mowers for medium-sized UK gardens up to 500m². Built in Britain with a steel deck, Briggs and Stratton engine, and Hayter’s excellent Easy-Wash system, it delivers a sharp, consistent cut. The Autodrive version is the one to buy: the fixed 2mph drive […]

Quick Answer STIHL cordless strimmers are among the best-built grass trimmers available for UK gardens. The FSA 45 suits small gardens with its integrated battery and blade system, the FSA 56 steps up for medium gardens with replaceable 36V batteries, and the FSA 60 R handles larger plots with a 350mm cutting width and up […]

Growing your own fruit and vegetables is a fantastic way to engage with your garden, reduce your carbon footprint and help eat better organic produce. Tomatoes are among our most popular fruits to buy in supermarkets and can be found year-round (usually flown halfway around the world, sadly). Often, these ‘forced tomatoes’ taste rather lacklustre […]

Wondering which trees are safe near a garden fence? Discover 12 expert-recommended boundary trees for UK gardens, the legal rules you need to know, and which species to avoid at all costs.

Quick Answer Chalk soil is an alkaline, free-draining soil type found across the South Downs, Chiltern Hills, and limestone-rich areas of Yorkshire and beyond. While it can be tricky to garden on, the right plant selection transforms a chalk garden into something spectacular. Lavender, Buddleja, Achillea, Clematis, Salvia, Eryngium, and Beech all thrive in these […]