I have always believed that you should only write or talk about what you know
We have ‘enjoyed’ an exceptionally mild autumn and I have been slow in protecting some of my tender plants. A few were lifted and prepared for winter a while ago but the mild weather in recent weeks has made me complacent. There were dahlias in flower, though looking tatty, and it can be confusing to…
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…
Hedges have a multitude of uses in the garden. They can define boundaries, offer protection to other plants and divide the garden into sections. They take a lot longer to achieve an effect than a fence or a wall but they are much cheaper and you don’t need brick-laying skills! They do need maintenance –…
As autumn merges into winter, the question in the garden is whether to tidy up borders now or to leave them till spring. There are benefits on both sides. Those who argue that they should be left, enjoy the dead seed heads of summer flowers and remind us that nature drops leaves over the borders…
The hot, dry summer was a challenge for gardeners and gardens and one of the saddest sights was our brown lawns. We tend to panic unnecessarily about the turf and, unless you need to care for a bowling green, we can allow the grass to take its chances. It will green up in autumn when…
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…
As we enter autumn, it is time to think about planting. In recent years we have tended to forget that autumn is the perfect time for planting and we buy and plant shrubs all year round. But, as we found this summer, it can be difficult to keep newly planted shrubs watered so they get…
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….
It was with great sadness that I heard of the passing of Brian Knight last weekend. I had not seen him for many years but I have very fond memories of him. I am sure this will be shared by an enormous number of people who knew him through his many activities outside his life…