Corydalis ‘Spinners’: The Blue Bee Perennial for Wildlife-Friendly Gardens
Many amateur gardeners plant whatever happens to be fashionable at the garden centre. Yet there are perennials…
Plastic bottle method: protect lettuces from slugs without poison
After a warm spell of rain, many gardeners know the sight all too well: lettuces full of holes, half-eaten…
Why Orchids Stop Flowering: The Unusual Fresh-Air Trick
Many orchids end up as permanent living-room decoration – and eventually stop flowering. The real mistake is…
Nettles in the Garden: Why You Should Not Remove Them
Many amateur gardeners reach for a spade at the first opportunity and ruthlessly remove every nettle from the…
Yellow Lawn Despite Watering: Causes and Solutions
The morning smells of rain, although none has fallen for days. You are standing barefoot in the garden, coffee…
How to Grow a New Fig Tree from Cuttings in Late Winter
Many amateur gardeners do not realise that an established fig tree may already contain the making of another…
10 Summer Bulbs for Balconies and Gardens
After winter, everything can look grey and empty – but one simple spring planting trick can turn dull corners…
Fat balls for birds: the hidden danger of plastic nets
Many amateur gardeners want to help birds through the winter – yet, without realising it, they may be putting…
Japanese maple care in March: the simple root-zone step for healthy growth
Many owners of a Japanese maple will recognise the problem: brown leaf edges, dried-out shoot tips and hardly…
Deep digging in the vegetable bed: why mulch and a broadfork are better
The first mild day arrives, your hands are itching to get started and the spade is already waiting: surely it…
Why gardeners put a metal spoon in a flowerpot
On some balconies, it is not a plant stake that protrudes from the soil, but an old metal spoon. Few…
Aubrieta on retaining walls: turn grey stone into a flowering feature
With the right perennial, a problem area can become a brilliantly colourful feature. Many gardens have one: a…
Hedge Trimming During the Nesting Season: What Gardeners Need to Know
Many amateur gardeners plan a major hedge trim in March. Yet this is precisely when the sensitive nesting…
Harden off tomatoes properly: avoid shock and secure a rich harvest
The calendar says it is “planting time”, the sun is out and temperatures are rising: so all the tomatoes…
Moss in the lawn after winter: why washing-up liquid makes it worse
A lush green carpet known from autumn can suddenly give way to a patchy lawn covered in dark, soft cushions.
Lantana: The Little-Known Shrub That Flowers Almost All Year
While roses take a break and summer flowers have long since faded, one shrub quietly continues to provide…
Late spring frost: how to protect your garden from cold nights
For many gardens, this could prove disastrous. Following an exceptionally mild winter, plenty of amateur…
Truffaut oak leaf lettuce seeds for €1.79: a spring salad bargain
The days are getting longer, the appetite for fresh greens is growing – and one tiny purchase at the garden…
Banana Water for Tired Houseplants After Winter
Many houseplants look tired after winter: leaves lack vigour, new shoots are scarce and flowers are slow to…
How to Prune Your Citrus Tree for More Fruit
As winter begins to loosen its grip, a well-timed prune can determine whether your lemon tree merely produces…
Make your own potting compost: a greener alternative to bought compost
Every spring, many amateur gardeners carry heavy bags home – even though there is an easier, cheaper and far…