Winter Gardening

Winter containers get a bad reputation, with many gardeners thinking there’s no point bothering with pots once autumn fades. This is absolutely bonkers. Winter container gardening is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to keep your garden looking vibrant during the dark months, and it takes far less effort than summer displays. I’ve […]

Chitting potatoes sounds like complicated gardening jargon, but it’s honestly one of the easiest and most rewarding jobs you can do in late winter. Chitting is simply encouraging your seed potatoes to sprout before planting, giving you earlier crops and better yields. I’ve been chitting potatoes for decades, and it’s become one of my favourite […]

Yes, winter is the best time to prune most deciduous trees. When trees are dormant (from November to late February), they heal faster, diseases are inactive, and you can clearly see the tree’s structure without leaves. However, some trees like cherries, plums and other members of the Prunus family should never be pruned in winter […]

Pruning herbaceous perennials correctly transforms your garden from a one-hit wonder to a perpetual showstopper. Most gardeners hack everything down in autumn, robbing themselves of winter interest whilst harming wildlife. The secret? Prune strategically in late winter (January to February in the UK) when plants are dormant, preserving seed heads for birds whilst ensuring vigorous […]

Sharp secateurs are the difference between gardening being a joy and being a wrist-destroying slog that damages your plants. I learned this the expensive way three decades ago when I lost an entire shrub to disease after making ragged cuts with blunt snips. The infection entered through those torn edges and killed the plant within […]

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 […]

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 […]

Roses are the quintessential English garden plant found in gardens worldwide. You would be hard-pressed to find someone who isn’t fond of roses. Whether it be that bridal bouquet, Valentine’s Day, or visits to English country gardens, the rose is one of the most iconic garden flowers. However, the rose’s beauty also comes with some […]

One question I get asked frequently on this site is, ‘Why is garden design expensive?’ and my answer is that garden design isn’t expensive; it’s good value for money given the vast multidisciplinary skills that go into making a successful garden design. Garden designers should not be cheap. Combining plant knowledge, design skills, project management, […]

Living Christmas trees have long symbolised life, renewal, and resilience, not to mention yuletide cheer! Often accompanied by mince pies, presents and celebrations, the Christmas tree signifies that Christmas is here! Their evergreen foliage symbolises ‘eternal life’ and dates back to ancient European traditions, in which people adorned their homes with greenery during winter solstice festivals. […]