Propagating & Growing Plants

The simple answer: Compost is decomposed organic matter that you mix into your soil to improve structure, drainage and nutrient content. Mulch is any material you spread on top of soil to suppress weeds, retain moisture and regulate temperature. Compost feeds the soil beneath, whilst mulch protects the soil surface. They work brilliantly together but […]

After years of designing gardens and helping clients troubleshoot plant problems, I can tell you that watering confusion kills more plants than pests, diseases and poor soil combined. People either drown their plants with love or let them shrivel from neglect, and neither works particularly well. The answer: Push your finger one inch (2.5cm) into […]

Today, let’s dig deep into the fascinating world of allotment crop rotation. If you’re an avid gardener or someone just starting to get their hands dirty, you’ll quickly learn that successful gardening is not just about what you plant but also where you plant it each year. Enter the magic of crop rotation. The practice […]

Staring at your modest garden, wondering if there’s room for those magnificent trailing vines you see sprawling across allotments? Perhaps you’ve been put off by tales of pumpkins requiring acres of space, which only the hugest of pumpkins actually need. You might be concerned about whether the British weather will provide enough warmth for these […]

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 […]

October often gets overlooked as a month for winding down, with many gardeners thinking their seasonal work is finished and focusing primarily on clearing up autumn’s colourful debris. Whether thats raking leaves, carving pumpkins or putting on thick jumpers and cleaning tools inside. This couldn’t be more wrong! Whilst others are already mentally hibernating, I’m […]

Are you staring at your Buddleja, wondering if you should reach for the secateurs? Perhaps you’ve inherited some towering, leggy butterfly bushes that look more like botanical disasters than the compact, flower-laden shrubs they should be. Maybe you’re nervous about potentially ruining this year’s butterfly magnet with an ill-timed snip, or confused by conflicting advice […]

If you’ve ever wondered why some of your prized perennial seeds refuse to germinate despite perfect conditions, warmth, and endless patience, you’ve likely encountered nature’s cleverly built-in safety mechanism called seed stratification. Understanding this fundamental process can transform your seed-starting success and unlock a world of beautiful plants that would otherwise remain frustratingly dormant in […]

Quick Answer August is one of the most productive gardening months in the UK. Sow hardy annuals like sweet peas, cornflowers and larkspur direct outside for spring flowers. Sow winter veg including pak choi, spinach, kale and winter lettuce. Plant autumn bulbs, take semi-ripe cuttings of shrubs, pot up strawberry runners, and plant container-grown fruit […]

Did you discover your prize tomato plants looking like their leaves are turning into crispy claws? After years of helping countless gardeners troubleshoot their tomato troubles, I’m here as the gardening expert to help reassure you and provide the fix for curling tomato leaves in the greenhouse or if your tomatoes are planted outside. Whether […]