Propagating & Growing Plants

Quick Answer The most effective ways to get rid of slugs in a UK garden are: beer traps set correctly at soil level, copper tape barriers, wool pellets around vulnerable plants, nematode biological treatments (Nemaslug), hand-picking at night, and encouraging natural predators like frogs, hedgehogs, and ground beetles. No single method works alone. Combining three […]

Learn how to build a raised bed with BBC Garden Rescue designer Lee Burkhill. Step-by-step instructions, cut lists, soil mixes, a free soil calculator and 20 years of professional experience — all in one complete UK guide.

Photinia red robin going brown? Discover the 7 causes including leaf spot, frost damage and drought, with expert diagnosis tips and fixes from a BBC Garden Rescue designer.

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 […]

RHS-qualified designer Lee Burkhill’s complete guide to growing star jasmine in the UK. Where to plant, best varieties, winter hardiness by region, containers, propagation and garden design use.

Embarking on a gardening journey can be exciting and rewarding, especially when growing your own vegetables. Whether you’re looking to add fresh vegetables to your home-cooked meals, connect with nature, or enjoy the satisfaction of nurturing plants, starting with the right vegetables can set you on the path to success. This comprehensive guide explores the […]

Quick Answer Agapanthus thrive in full sun with free-draining soil or compost, flowering from July to September on tall elegant stems. Hardy deciduous types like Headbourne Hybrids survive UK winters in the ground without protection. Evergreen types need moving under cover or wrapping in horticultural fleece before the first frost. Containers are often the best […]

Lavender is a plant that people are immediately drawn to in gardens because of its colour and heady scent! Lavender has beautiful aromatic foliage that brings heady scents to the garden, along with purple spikes of flowers. It has many uses, whether as an herb, for aromatherapy in the home, in sensory applications as you […]

Quick Answer Salvias thrive in full sun with free-draining soil. Plant hardy types like Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ from April onwards and leave foliage standing through winter, cutting back in late March when new basal shoots appear. Deadhead after the first flush for a second wave of flowers. Tender types like ‘Amistad’ need a thick mulch […]

Quick Answer Plant spring bulbs in autumn, between September and the end of November, at a depth of three times the bulb’s own height. Choose a sunny, well-drained spot, water in after planting, and mulch to protect over winter. Most spring bulbs are perennial and will return year after year with minimal effort. The arrival […]