The complete guide to choosing and planting shrubs
A shrub is any woody plant that branches from ground level rather than growing on a single trunk. The ‘middle layer’ of a well-planned garden, shrubs fill the space between…
The complete guide to choosing and planting ornamental trees
Even a small garden has room for a tree, and the right one can transform it entirely. Trees bring height and permanence that nothing else quite matches, anchoring your planting…
The complete guide to hedging
A good hedge does more work than almost anything else in the garden. It marks your boundary, blocks wind, muffles noise, and gives birds somewhere to nest, all while looking…
How to grow poppies in the UK
Few flowers reward such little effort so generously. Scatter poppy seeds onto bare ground in autumn or spring, step back, and by summer you’ll have a garden full of movement,…
How to grow pumpkins and squash from seed
Of all the vegetables you can grow from seed, cucurbits are one of the most satisfying! Pumpkin and squash seeds should be sown indoors in spring and, with a little…
How to grow begonias in the UK
Begonias are one of the most reliable summer performers in the British garden. They flower from June right through to the first frosts, tolerate shade better than almost any other…
Small space gardening: Best organic vegetables for containers
You don’t need a sprawling allotment or a massive back garden to embrace an organic lifestyle and grow your own vegetables. All you need is a few large pots on…
No-dig organic gardening for beginners
‘No-dig’ gardening works on the principle that the less we disturb the soil, the better our crops perform. By layering organic matter on the surface rather than turning the earth…
How to Create a Wildlife-Friendly Garden
Wildlife does more than just make our gardens beautiful. Here’s how you can turn your garden into a welcoming home for helpful birds, bees and beasties.
Companion plants for organic vegetable growing
Companion planting is the age-old practice of pairing plants to attract pollinators, deter pests, and enhance flavour – all without the use of chemicals. Here, author and allotmenteer Rob Smith…