I have always believed that you should only write or talk about what you know
The recent shortages of salad crops in supermarkets has sparked renewed interest in growing your own. Growing tomatoes is on everyone’s mind. Lots of us grow tomatoes already and we know that you can’t really grow tomatoes to pick anytime except in mid- late summer. That doesn’t bother me because I cook and freeze my…
I have never needed a reason to grow my own crops; it is satisfying and it is a joy to pop into the garden to pick something for lunch. But with finances squeezed and supermarkets running out of veg, this may be the year to have a go yourself. Over the years I have covered…
When you crave a touch of the exotic in your life, you need cannas. Nothing else gives you that magical combination of lush, tropical foliage and luxuriant flowers. Fortunately they are simple to grow but there are a few tricks to get the best from them. You can buy them in summer as growing plants…
With tall spires of colourful flowers, ideal for cutting, gladioli are very popular. They are easy to grow and the flowers can be bright or pastel shades. They are an easy way to add colour and height to your summer garden. Gladioli are not reliably hardy so they are usually lifted and stored in winter….
Over the past few weeks I have been talking about some of the main summer bulbs and how to grow them. This week I want to mention a few of the lesser-grown summer bulbs that you may not have tried before. Some are not hardy and could be considered ‘summer treats’ but they are all…
With the Festive season fast approaching, it is time to think about Christmas potplants. In the ‘old days’ the choice was usually of poinsettias, cyclamen and azaleas, and although there are more flowering potplants available today, especially orchids, these are still the big three. I have a love-hate relationship with poinsettias: I joke about them…
Autumn is not the obvious time to think about magnolias, after all, they bloom in spring. But National Tree Week begins at the and of the month and we all know the importance of planting trees. A tree in the garden offers so much: shade, privacy, habitats for wildlife and so much more, including converting…
It is time to plant up pots to brighten up winter and spring. Although there is still some colour in the garden, that won’t last much longer and now is the perfect time to plant up some pots that will look bright all winter and into spring. Even if you can’t pack your borders with…
Garlic may not be the most obvious crop to plant but it is easy and very worthwhile. You need a huge garden to be self-sufficient in potatoes but only the end of a small raised bed to grow all the garlic you need. And if you eat masses of garlic you can still grow all…
Tulips are something of a luxury but, dare I say it, an essential one. I always think I am being extravagant when I buy the rich brown bulbs in autumn and then, when I am enjoying their dazzling blooms in spring, I wish I had not been so mean and wish I had planted more….