Propagating & Growing Plants

When should you plant potatoes in the UK? First early potatoes are planted in late March, second earlies go in during early to mid-April, and maincrop varieties are planted from mid-April to early May. The exact timing depends on your location – plant slightly later in colder northern regions and earlier in milder southern areas. […]

What are edimentals? Edimentals are plants that deliver double duty in your garden by being both edible and ornamental. These stunning specimens blur the boundaries between decorative planting and productive growing, giving design-conscious gardeners the best of both worlds without compromise. After 35 years of hands-on gardening and designing hundreds of urban gardens across the […]

Hardening off is the process of gradually acclimatising indoor-grown plants to outdoor conditions over 7 to 14 days before planting them in the garden. Start by placing plants outside in a sheltered spot for 3 to 4 hours daily, gradually increasing exposure to sun, wind, and temperature fluctuations. This prevents transplant shock and strengthens plants […]

Confused about when to plant what in your UK garden? You’re not alone. After fifteen years of designing gardens across Britain and answering countless questions from bewildered gardeners on BBC1’s Garden Rescue, I’ve learned that timing truly is everything. This comprehensive monthly planting calendar will become your go-to reference, taking the guesswork out of UK […]

If you have heavy clay soil and shade, then your go-to plants will be Hostas, ferns, astilbes, hellebores, hydrangeas, and hardy geraniums, all of which thrive in heavy clay soil and shade. These plants have adapted to moisture-retentive, nutrient-rich clay conditions whilst tolerating low light levels common in UK gardens. Right, let’s tackle probably the […]

Slugs and snails can be controlled effectively without chemicals by using physical barriers, setting traps, encouraging natural predators, and creating less hospitable conditions. Beer traps, copper tape, and wool pellets work brilliantly when used correctly. But it’s up to you to decide the ethics of beer traps! If you’ve ever woken up to find your […]

Short answer: If your garden is already thriving with happy, healthy plants, you probably don’t need soil testing. However, if you’re starting a brand new plot, battling persistent plant problems, or growing fussy plants like rhododendrons or blueberries, testing your soil is absolutely essential for success. Why Most Gardeners Skip Soil Testing (And Whether You Should […]

Over 5,400 people search “what is mulch” every month in the UK, which tells me there’s massive confusion about these two essential garden materials. I’ve been designing gardens for over fifteen years and presenting on BBC1’s Garden Rescue, and honestly, I still meet experienced gardeners who use these terms interchangeably. Let me clear this up […]

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 […]

The arrival of autumn is a harbinger of change in the garden, signalling the time to prepare for the upcoming spring season when the bulbs emerge and bring the first blast of flowers to the gardening year! Knowing how to plant spring bulbs can take your garden to the next level in terms of colour […]