Garden Advice

Quick Answer Cut hedges with sharp, clean tools working from the bottom upwards in a sweeping motion, keeping the sides slightly narrower at the top so light reaches the base. Most hedges need trimming twice a year, in spring and late summer, and UK law protects nesting birds, so always check the hedge for nests […]

Quick Answer To make a compost bin from pallets, stack three matching pallets into a U shape on level, free draining ground, then screw the corners together with decking screws and angle brackets for rigidity. Hinge a fourth pallet to the front to act as a door. Always choose pallets stamped HT rather than MB, […]

BBC Garden Rescue designer Lee Burkhill explains how to get rid of garden weeds organically — which tools work, why homemade remedies fail, and how to stop weeds coming back.

Quick Answer Prune herbaceous perennials in late winter, from January to February, once plants are fully dormant and before new growth begins. Cut ground cover types back to around 5cm, taller perennials to between 6cm and 12cm, and only lightly tidy evergreen herbaceous plants. Leaving the dried stems in place over autumn and winter feeds […]

Quick Answer To start a garden from scratch, clear the ground of turf, weeds and debris, then assess your soil type and aspect before you buy a single plant. Plan your layout on paper, choose plants suited to your actual conditions rather than ones you simply like the look of, and build your tool collection […]

Quick Answer There is no single route to becoming a garden designer, since it is not a regulated profession in the UK. The most reliable path combines classroom or online courses for foundational design and plant knowledge, books for structured theory, and volunteering with a professional designer for real world experience. A blend of formal […]

Quick Answer Save water in the garden by watering with a can rather than a hose, collecting rainwater in a water butt, mulching to lock in moisture, and only spot watering the plants that truly need it. Water early morning or evening, leave an established lawn to look after itself, and choose drought tolerant plants […]

Quick Answer Water plants at the base with a watering can or hose rather than a sprinkler, giving established plants a thorough soak once or twice a week rather than a daily splash. Prioritise new plantings, vegetables and containers first, let an established lawn go dormant and brown, since it will recover, and check your […]

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 […]