Garden Advice

I don’t know of any gardener who likes cleaning up leaves, but in the autumn months, it is something that most gardeners need to tolerate. Our deciduous trees drop their leaves each autumn, providing a golden opportunity to create a soil improver by making leaf mould. Leaf mould compost is an excellent way to rid […]

When I first started gardening many, many moons ago, I always gardened bare-handed. It gave me a genuine sense of connection with the earth and the gardening process. It wasn’t long, though, before coworkers in my old IT 9-5 job were giving my dirt-stained hands and nails the look of horror. It looked like I’d […]

If you’ve been following my pruning adventures, you’ll know I’m not one to shy away from a good tool or ladder review to help me with my plant maintenance. But when I first clapped eyes on these Henchman tripod ladders, I must confess I was somewhat sceptical. Regular Garden Ninja visitors will know I’m a keen pruner, […]

You may have noticed tall, thin, segmented green spikes emerging in your flower beds, driveway, cracks in paving or behind the shed and then realised it’s a mare’s tail. This weed is remarkably resilient and can survive in nearly all conditions and environments. But if mares’ tail or horsetail weeds are causing mayhem in your […]

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. […]

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 […]

Garden design is both an art and a science, blending creativity with practicality to create outdoor spaces that are beautiful, functional, and sustainable, with a strong focus on the right plant choices and hard-landscaping materials. However, learning the ins and outs of garden design can feel daunting—especially if you’re new to plants/horticulture, drawing up scaled […]

Our gardens are our pride and joy, as we spend countless hours growing our favourite plants and cultivating our green paradises. As we all start reconnecting with Mother Nature, gardening and garden design are among the best ways to help us destress. But sometimes, our feline friends have other ideas. From digging up seedlings to […]

If you’re like me and have a nightmare garden border that’s both shady and awkward, then this guide for shade-loving plants is for you. Part of my garden here at Garden Ninaj HQ is a mix of deep, dappled, and dry shade. This flower bed also has competition from a hedge and mature trees. It’s […]

The soil type in your garden can make or break your plans for a successful garden design. Your plants will only be as successful as the preparation and planning that you, the gardener, put in! Rather than thinking of soil as dirt, you need to start treating soil as the life force of your garden. This […]