Page 31 - News

Man harvesting freshly dug potatoes in a garden with yellow flowering plants and gardening tools nearby.

Topinambur (Jerusalem Artichoke) Is Making a Quiet Comeback in the Garden and Kitchen

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

An old tuber treasure has suddenly become a talking point in the garden - and in the kitchen. Plenty of...

Man in wool sweater and hat pruning a young tree in a garden on a sunny day

January pruning guide: hydrangeas, climbing roses and apple and pear trees

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

In January, many gardens look as if they’re fast asleep - yet this is exactly when you set the stage...

Person planting pansies in a vibrant flower bed with lavender, marigolds, and lilies on a sunny day.

10 Turbo Perennials: Fast-Growing Perennials That Fill Borders Quickly

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

With the right turbo perennials, your garden can look lush in no time. Plenty of hobby gardeners know the feeling:...

Person pruning rosemary plant in wooden planter on garden deck with gardening gloves and shears nearby

How to Save Rosemary with Brown Needles in March

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

The needles dry out, the tips look scorched, entire sprigs turn colour - and it’s easy to jump to the...

Woman planting a small tree in a garden with birds, a birdhouse, watering can and gardening tools nearby.

A simple March trick: a snacking hedge that brings birds back

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

The last of winter is fading and the garden can feel bare - but one smart planting move in March...

Person planting seedlings in soil beside a metal watering can in a garden bed with straw mulch.

Transplanting seedlings: the 10 litres per square metre rule for tomatoes, peppers and flowers

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

Anyone who moves tomatoes, peppers or flowers from small pots into a garden bed in spring will recognise the familiar...

Person planting a small tree in a pot near a hedge in a sunny garden.

Pittosporum hedge: the hardy replacement for failing red hedges

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

Many front gardens are showing the same disappointing sight at the moment: hedges that used to be thick and red-tipped...

Person gardening blue and purple hydrangeas surrounded by green foliage in a sunny backyard.

Hydrangeas: The Shade Trio of Hostas, Ferns and Astilbes for Bigger Blooms

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

Relying solely on fertiliser, a watering can and pruning shears misses one of the biggest factors behind abundant hydrangea flowers:...

Person preparing fresh tomato slices next to basil plants on a wooden table outdoors in sunlight.

How Basil Next to Tomatoes Improves Flavour and Harvest

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

Many keen home growers look after their tomatoes with real dedication - and still end up disappointed because the fruit...

Person spraying weed killer on moss in a garden with a watering jug and product box nearby.

A simple bicarbonate trick for moss in the lawn

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

Stepping into the garden in spring often brings the same frustration: instead of thick grass, there’s a carpet-like layer that...

Woman in a straw hat gardening, tying stakes to support tall orange flowering plants in a sunlit garden bed.

Leonotis leonurus (lion’s ear): the fiery statement plant for sunny borders

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

Anyone who plants it once won’t forget it. Plenty of gardens play it safe: a few perennials, some lavender, perhaps...

Person picking ripe oranges from a snow-covered tree in a winter garden, holding a basket of fruit.

Frost-hardy citrus for the garden: Poncirus trifoliata, Yuzu and more

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

Many home gardeners know the feeling: the tree was still laden with fruit in autumn, yet by January it’s nothing...

Hand watering tomato plants in garden with blue fertiliser and white bucket on wooden crate nearby.

Copper against brown blight: the 70s method that saves tomatoes and potatoes

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

When tomatoes and potatoes suddenly turn brown, it is often already too late - but an old method from the...

Woman wearing a hat planting flower bulbs in a garden bed with labelled sections on a sunny day.

Plant Summer Bulbs in March: Alan Titchmarsh and Sarah Raven’s Advice

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

Even when the borders still look bare, the decision has already been made: will your garden erupt with flowers in...

Person kneeling in garden trimming green shrubs with gardening tools and gloves nearby in sunlight.

Pittosporum replacing the red-shooting standard hedge by 2026

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

For years, the red-shooting standard hedge was treated as the perfect privacy screen: fast to bulk up, evergreen, and readily...

Person kneeling on grass patch, planting new turf with garden hose and watering can nearby.

Yellow lawn in spring: four steps to a lush green lawn

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

Spring has arrived, but your lawn looks tired, dull and slightly yellow? With a few straightforward, well-targeted measures, you can...

Hands planting seedlings in biodegradable pots filled with soil on a garden bed outdoors.

Toilet Roll Cardboard Cores: The Garden Trick That Protects Seedlings in Spring

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

Many amateur gardeners spend spring watching young plants get nibbled down to nothing or knocked back by frost. While pricey...

Man in a straw hat pruning a young rose plant in a garden bed with a watering can nearby.

Rose pruning in spring: the nursery gardener’s method for more buds

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

An experienced nursery gardener relies on a surprisingly simple approach instead: less rushing, more looking. If you stop cutting your...

Woman harvesting ripe strawberries in a sunny garden, holding a wooden crate filled with strawberries.

Everbearing Strawberries: Harvest from June to the First Frosts

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

Plenty of keen gardeners know the pattern: June brings a brief, abundant strawberry bonanza - and then it’s suddenly over....

Hands wearing gloves pruning nettle plants in a garden with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and watering can nearby.

Nettles in the Garden: How They Boost Soil, Compost and Biodiversity

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

Nettles are often dismissed as annoying, painful and “messy”. Yet removing them without thinking can be bad for your soil,...

Person watering a potted plant with a green watering can on a sunny windowsill.

The Hidden Watering Mistake That Weakens Balcony Plants in Summer

Harriet M. Ashford • August 23, 2026

Late summer still hangs in the air when a familiar sound starts up on the balcony above you: gurgling, splashing,...