Horticulture & Plant Ideas

It can be easy to become confused between a formal and informal garden style. Certainly, because some fusion gardens mix the two muddying the design waters. This garden design guide to formal gardens will show you how to spot one, design a formal garden and why you may choose one for your own garden space. […]

Every garden should have at least one tree, and when I speak to clients with tiny gardens, the apple tree is the one I recommend most frequently. Not only do apple trees provide a rich source of pollen for bees, but they are also beautiful trees for a small garden. The bonus is that with […]

Getting rid of fungus gnats can be a perpetual headache for house plant owners. These tiny flies quickly disrupt the serene green oasis of our indoor space house plants. These tiny, flying pests may be diminutive in size, but their impact is disproportionately felt. Funga gnat larvae feast on plant roots and organic matter in […]

Cornus is a genus of about 30–60 species of woody plants in the family Cornaceae, commonly known as Dogwoods. Cornus are common in the UK and grow vigorously here, making them an almost bulletproof garden shrub for beginner gardeners. In fact, you may have one and not even know as established Cornus lose their firey […]

From the time-honoured elegance of Old Garden Roses to the modern sophistication of Hybrid Tea roses, the world of roses is a captivating tapestry of colours, fragrances, and forms for your garden. Whichever type of rose you choose to grace your garden, each rose brings unique character and beauty. As you explore the diverse spectrum […]

Compost is the life force of many gardens. Whether buying it in bags from the garden centre (hopefully peat-free) or making your own with composting bins, this black gold is a multi-purpose wonder feed for the garden. However, most gardeners I speak to don’t know what to do with compost once it’s finished feeding your […]

When I started this gardening blog, I was on a simple mission: to help inspire, educate and encourage all gardeners to succeed in their green spaces. One of the most exciting groups of gardeners I help is beginners or new gardeners. However, there are several common mistakes that all new gardeners make unless they have […]

Recycling is a key part of the Garden Ninja ethos when it comes to gardening. So I was pleased to hear from my good friends over at J.Parkers, one of the North West’s oldest nurseries and online plant suppliers, about a number of recycling tips they had. Here’s the advice they have to help improve […]

Cottage gardens are becoming more popular in urban gardens as they are a magnet for wildlife. Cottage gardens are also suited well for small built-up spaces as they make the absolute most of the growing space both in the ground and with vertical planting. If you’re interested in cottage gardens and want to know if […]

Now that your seeds have germinated, you may suddenly struggle to work out what to do next. Well, the next stage in growing your own plants is known in the gardening world as ‘pricking out‘, where we take seedlings and separate them into their own pots. If we don’t prick them out, they get congested, […]