Propagating & Growing Plants

Quick Answer Bulbs in the green are spring bulbs, most often snowdrops, lifted and sold with their foliage still attached rather than as dry, dormant bulbs. Planted straight into the ground between February and March, just after flowering, they establish far more reliably than dry autumn planted bulbs, often putting on a proper display within […]

When it comes to gardening in the United Kingdom, we often find ourselves battling unpredictable weather, with rain being a common occurrence. Coupled with the fact that most newly built gardens and plots come with heavy moisture-retentive, claggy clay soil, choosing wet soil plants can be a nightmare for gardeners. Sometimes, it’s a case of […]

If you have heavy clay soil and shade, your go-to plants will be hostas, ferns, astilbes, hellebores, hydrangeas, and hardy geraniums, all of which thrive in exactly the conditions many gardeners dread. These plants have evolved in moisture-retentive, nutrient-rich clay environments and tolerate low light levels perfectly, making them ideal for the UK’s many shaded, […]

Knowing when and how to lift and divide spring bulbs is a common question that thousands of new gardeners have asked me, the Garden Ninja, over the years. I understand why it’s confusing, as you may think you should lift bulbs when dormant as you do with shrubs, but that would be incorrect. The three […]

The trouble is that March can be a bit of a deceiver. One week, it is mild and sunny, and you are convinced spring has landed. Next, it’s snowing, and you are wondering if winter ever actually left. This is completely normal in the UK, and the secret to March gardening success is knowing which […]

Whilst the days are noticeably lengthening and there’s a palpable sense of spring approaching, frosty nights and unpredictable weather still dominate the garden this month. This creates both exciting opportunities and frustrating limitations, making February a month that requires careful planning, realistic expectations, and a strategic approach to what you plant and where you plant it. The […]

QUICK ANSWER Peace lily leaves turning black usually indicates overwatering combined with cold temperatures, causing root rot. Move the plant to a warmer location (minimum 15°C), allow the compost to dry out almost completely, then resume watering only when the top inch feels dry. Cut off all black leaves cleanly at the base. New, healthy […]

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 […]