Propagating & Growing Plants

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 […]

August often gets dismissed as a month for garden maintenance rather than creation, with many gardeners assuming the growing season is winding down and focusing solely on watering, deadheading, and harvesting existing crops. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Whilst others are taking their gardening foot off the pedal, I’m ramping up propagation activities […]

Growing your own fruit and vegetables is a fantastic way to engage with your garden, reduce your carbon footprint and help eat better organic produce. Tomatoes are one of our most popular fruits to buy in supermarkets and can be bought year-round (usually by being flown halfway around the world, sadly). Often, these ‘forced tomatoes’ […]

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 […]

Spotted your usually proud and upright snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) looking more like a deflated balloon than the architectural statement piece it should be? Before you start questioning your plant parent credentials and consider rehoming your green friend, take a deep breath. Don’t panic, snake plants are one of the toughest house plants ever, and […]