Summer Gardening

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 […]

You’ve chosen beautiful plants, spent good money on quality specimens, and carefully planned your garden design. Yet something’s not quite right. The garden looks off. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone! Even experienced gardeners can fall into plant placement traps that sabotage their best intentions. Let me, the Garden Ninja, walk you through the […]

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. […]

A lush, green lawn might seem like the ultimate goal for many gardeners, but maintaining turf can become a constant battle, especially if you want that bowling green lawn all year round. You’ll be left juggling with mowing, feeding, aerating, and watering your lawn on a near-endless rotation! Lawns demand time, energy, and resources from […]

Sometimes gardeners can get a bit trigger-happy when it comes to pruning trees, especially in winter when their actual shape of the tree is laid bare. However, did you know that cherry, plum and apricot trees (any in the prunus genus) shouldn’t be pruned in winter due to them contracting a fungus called silver leaf? […]

Are you dreaming of a wedding filled with personal touches and heartfelt moments? One beautiful way to infuse your special day with meaning is by growing your own wedding bouquet, but don’t be fooled by online DIY bride guides. Growing your own bridal flower bouquet is not for the faint of heart! Whether you’re a […]

No matter what size garden you have, encouraging wildlife will help create a diverse environment on your doorstep. This will not only benefit your plants via increased pollination but also welcome a host of wonderful creatures from insects, butterflies, bees, birds and mammals. Building a DIY bug hotel can also help encourage your children to […]

Pruning is one of the key parts of creating and maintaining a gorgeous garden. However, many gardeners avoid pruning due to a lack of confidence or a lack of understanding of how to prune. This guide explains why you need to prune in the garden and how to prune plants perfectly! With a sharp pair […]

Comfrey is an incredible plant as it tolerates nearly all soil conditions and will live in both full sun and shade. Meaning you can grow Comfrey pretty much anywhere no matter what garden soil you have. Comfrey has long been used to help activate compost heaps, brew liquid plant food and help improve vegetable beds […]

July is often considered the pinnacle of gardening activity, when summer blooms are at their best. August is often discussed as the poor cousin, often without any real supporting evidence! With careful plant choices and selection,s nearly every month of the year can have something extraordinary growing or producing. In this month’s garden tour, I tackle […]