Propagating & Growing Plants

Poinsettias are everywhere at Christmas, their vibrant red bracts brightening up garden centres, supermarkets and homes across the UK. But these festive favourites have a reputation for being tricky to keep alive, often ending up in the bin come January. The truth is, with a bit of knowledge about what poinsettias actually are and how […]

December might seem like an odd time to be thinking about rhubarb, but trust me Ninjas, this is actually the perfect month to start forcing for those gorgeous, tender pink stems that’ll be ready to harvest in February and March. Whilst your neighbours are still staring at bare crowns in their vegetable patches, you’ll be […]

December might seem like the month when gardens grind to a complete halt, with most folks convinced there’s absolutely nothing to do except watch the rain and count down to Christmas. However, as Garden Ninjas, you probably know that there’s always something to be done in or around the garden. So this month, let’s concentrate […]

Winter containers get a bad reputation, with many gardeners thinking there’s no point bothering with pots once autumn fades. This is absolutely bonkers. Winter container gardening is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to keep your garden looking vibrant during the dark months, and it takes far less effort than summer displays. I’ve […]

You know what gets me every autumn? Those glossy gardening magazines showing pristine pots stuffed with layer upon layer of spring bulbs, promising you’ll have continuous flowers from February through May. Instagram is awash with them. YouTube tutorials multiply like rabbits. Everyone’s at it, stacking tulips, daffodils and crocuses like they’re building some horticultural wedding […]

Quick Answer A bulb planter is a simple tool that removes a plug of soil so you can drop a bulb straight in at the right depth, then replace the plug on top. Handheld planters suit small quantities and containers, long-handled planters let you work standing up for borders and lawns, and drill-powered augers speed […]

Making your own compost is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a gardener. Not only does it save you a fortune on bagged compost, but it’s also brilliant for the planet and turns your kitchen and garden waste into absolute gold for your soil. I’ve been gardening for a long time, […]

November often gets dismissed as nothing more than a leaf raking and garden tidying month, with most gardeners thinking there’s nothing left to do except clear up and wait for spring. This mentality drives me absolutely spare! Whilst others are already planning their seed orders for February and ignoring their plots, I’m out here at […]

After twenty-odd years of planting thousands upon thousands of bulbs across Manchester, Liverpool, and beyond, I’ve developed something of an obsession with getting colour combinations absolutely spot on. There’s nothing quite like that moment in February when your carefully orchestrated rainbow of bulbs starts emerging through the frost, transforming what a barren winter wasteland is […]

Here’s the uncomfortable truth that most plant shops won’t tell you: improper drainage kills more container plants than practically any other factor. Many gardeners contact me after spending a fortune on beautiful specimens, potting them up in stunning containers, and then wonder why their plants look increasingly miserable before dying completely. The culprit? Water sitting […]