I have always believed that you should only write or talk about what you know
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…
When I was a boy, and indeed even when I was working at Nags Hall in the 80s, scarlet salvias were all the rage. They were among the most popular bedding plants, and no wonder – they are bright and bold and easy to grow. Their popularity as bedding plants outlived that of most Victorian…
Most people grow a few fruit trees or want to and it is very rewarding. After the initial cost of planting later expense is minimal and the plants can crop for many years. In my own plot I am growing as wide a range of fruit as I can and that way, I am hoping…
…but there comes a point when most of the layout is more or less complete. Since I moved into the new house the past two years have been dominated by getting the structure of the garden complete and last week, with a delivery of stone for the drive, we more or less got it done….
Midsummer will be with us in a few days and our gardens are packed with colour and the roses should be in full bloom. I love roses and they were among the first shrubs I planted in my new garden. I chose my roses for several reasons. Firstly, they had to be at least resistant…
Most plants in our gardens benefit from extra feeding to keep them healthy and growing and flowering well. It is especially important to feed plants in containers because these rely on us for all their nutrients. Most plants in pots are planted in multipurpose compost and this contains limited nutrients, which will run out after…
I would love to have a stream running through the garden, to bring movement and sound as well as wildlife, but few of us are blessed with natural water. Most of us have to be content with an artificial pond, usually lined with a butyl liner. My ‘new’ garden, being created from a field, is…
With frosts behind us (I hope) it is time to plant out tender bedding plants and plant up pots on the patio. If these pots were filled with flowers for spring, these plants need to be removed. Daffodils should be dying down and tulips can be carefully lifted, taking care not to break the stems…