I have always believed that you should only write or talk about what you know
Now the ground is moistened by autumn rains and temperatures are dropping it is time to think about planting bulbs for spring colour. Of all the different bulbs we can grow, daffodils are possibly the best value because they should live and bloom for many years, producing more flowers each season. There are daffodils for…
If you are lucky enough to have an apple tree in the garden you will know that apple season is with us. Of all the fruit we can grow in our gardens, apples are the easiest and best value. It is true that they are an investment, costing a lot more than a packet of…
There are various ways we can keep the colours of summer in our homes over winter. Simply drying flowers is the easiest but not all flowers can be cut, hung up and dried. There are alternatives of course and with some ingenuity a large range of blooms can be preserved. I hate plastic plants and…
It will soon be time to think about spring and buy daffodils, tulips and crocus but, before that, there is a brief opportunity to plant autumn-flowering bulbs. These often get overlooked and the chance to plant them often passes quickly. They need to be planted this month because they bloom in September and October. They…
For some of us, our summer gardens are more or less a thing of the past. Heat and dry weather has put paid to summer flowers. But we need not dwell on the past. Gardeners are always looking to the future. And now is the ideal time to take cuttings and make some free plants….
Last week I promised to tackle tomatoes and what to do to keep them healthy and productive. Everyone plants tomatoes at least once and they have the potential to be productive and delicious. But I can’t ignore the heat of this week and the ongoing drought conditions. You are quite aware of what is going…
August is a month for harvesting rather than planting in the veg plot. Summer cabbages are ready, carrots are plumping up and onions should be starting to dry, ready to harvest and store. With cooler nights recently the runner beans should be setting their long pods, and French beans need picking. There should be lots…
There is always lots to do in the garden, especially if you want colour for a long time. The seasons come and go and so do lots of plants, some need to be dug up and replaced while others need attention at various times. I do not begrudge most plants a bit of care and…
It might not be the busiest time in the garden but there is a lot going on. There is fruit to pick, weeds to pull, plants to water, pests to control and crops to harvest. The heat of the last week has been a challenge for us all. I am sure you have been running…
The weather may be scorching but that doesn’t stop us gardeners wanting to plant. Even if you only went to Nags Hall to get some compost or even a coffee, it is difficult to resist a new plant, especially when it is in flower. Many of our gardens lack shrubs in bloom at this time…