Blog

Quick Answer Henchman tripod ladders are UK designed, EN131 certified ladders with a unique standing platform that lets you work hands free at height on sloping or uneven ground. In my testing, the extra stability made pruning, hedge trimming and tree work far safer and less tiring than a standard ladder, though they do come […]

Quick Answer Mulching means spreading a 5 to 7cm layer of organic material, such as compost, bark or leaf mould, over weed free, damp soil in April to May or September to October. Keep it clear of stems and trunks. Done properly, it cuts weeding by up to 80 percent, halves summer watering, and steadily […]

Quick Answer Kill moss with an iron sulphate based moss killer applied in spring or autumn, wait seven to fourteen days for it to blacken, then scarify to remove the dead material and overseed any bare patches. Moss only thrives where grass is struggling, so the treatment will not last unless you also fix the […]

Quick Answer Most garden buddlejas, Buddleja davidii and its hybrids, are pruned hard in late March to mid April, cutting back to 30 to 60cm above the ground since they flower on new wood. Buddleja alternifolia and Buddleja globosa flower on old wood instead, so prune these immediately after flowering finishes rather than in spring, […]

Quick Answer The most effective way to remove lawn weeds is to combine hand weeding with a purpose-made tool such as a hori hori knife or dandelion weeder to remove the full root, then overseed the bare patch immediately. For large infestations, a selective lawn weedkiller applied during active growth in late spring gives the […]

Quick Answer The most effective organic way to get rid of moles is to make your garden less appealing to them rather than trying to kill them, since another mole will simply move into a vacant territory within weeks. Plant strong-scented bulbs like daffodils and alliums, use coffee grounds, castor oil or garlic granules along […]

Quick Answer For most UK gardens you need three feeds. A seaweed based tonic such as envii SeaFeed Xtra for general plant health, a balanced NPK feed like Growmore or fish, blood and bone for hungry beds and vegetable plots, and a specialist feed for anything that needs it, meaning an ericaceous feed for rhododendrons […]

Quick Answer Gardening with arthritis or a bad back is still possible with a few thoughtful changes. A kneeler with handles, angled hand tools, ratchet secateurs and a raised bed built to a comfortable height remove most of the bending and gripping that causes pain, letting you garden in shorter, kinder sessions. Over the years […]

Quick Answer Peat compost is unsustainable because it is stripped from ancient peat bogs that take thousands of years to form, releasing stored carbon and destroying rare wetland habitats in the process. Good peat-free alternatives include homemade compost, wool and bracken compost, coir, bark and green waste blends. Each behaves a little differently to peat, […]

Quick Answer A hori hori is a Japanese gardening knife with a curved blade, one sharp edge, and one serrated edge that makes weeding, planting, and digging an absolute doddle. It replaces at least three other tools (trowel, weeder, and knife) whilst being sharp enough to slice through roots and tough weeds without creating craters […]