News
Thuja Hedge: Why Experts Are Calling for Removal
Harriet M. Ashford
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Public opinion is turning - and specialists are now sounding the alarm about removing them. In front gardens across the...
News
11 Ground Cover Plants for Wet Clay Soil Instead of Drainage Pipes
Harriet M. Ashford
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Many plot and garden owners will recognise the pattern: clay-heavy soil, standing puddles, grass that rots away, and paths where...
News
How to Attract Morels in Your Garden with Wood Ash and Apple Leftovers
Harriet M. Ashford
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Morels are the holy grail for mushroom lovers: scarce, expensive, and notoriously hard to track down. Every spring, plenty of...
News
End-of-February Pruning: The One-Third Rule for Evergreen Shrubs
Harriet M. Ashford
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Some gardens look picture-perfect in spring, as if they have stepped straight out of a catalogue; others stay stubbornly sparse...
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Nigella (Love-in-a-mist): the airy summer annual for beds, pots and vases
Harriet M. Ashford
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Many hobby gardeners find themselves staring at the seed racks in spring: countless flowers to choose from, not much time,...
News
Roter Sand-Thymian (Thymus serpyllum 'Coccineus') for fewer mosquitoes by the terrace
Harriet M. Ashford
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Many home gardeners know the same summer saga: brown patches in the lawn, hosepipe bans, the racket of the mower...
News
Washing-up Liquid Against Moss and Algae on Your Patio: The Bucket Trick
Harriet M. Ashford
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When you open the patio doors in spring, you’re often greeted not by a cosy seating area but by slippery...
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Why Bamboo on the Balcony Is Being Replaced by a Hardy Asian Alternative
Harriet M. Ashford
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Anyone who used to stock their balcony with bamboo almost on autopilot is now thinking twice. A tough, previously overlooked...
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Gardening before the Ice Saints: what to plant early
Harriet M. Ashford
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The thermometer says “spring”, garden centres are overflowing with plants - yet plenty of borders are still bare. The reason...
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Nepeta (Catmint): The Hardy, Long-Flowering Alternative to Lavender
Harriet M. Ashford
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When you replant your balcony or garden in spring, it’s easy to reach for lavender on autopilot. A touch of...
News
Four Steps to Fix a Yellow Lawn with Dwarf Clover
Harriet M. Ashford
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The good news is that a thick, richly green lawn doesn’t require pricey miracle fertilisers or constant watering. If you...
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March: Planting Seven Flower Bulbs for a Summer Garden
Harriet M. Ashford
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In March, borders often still look dull and bare, yet below the surface the run-up to high summer is already...
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Black garden: dark foliage trend and easy planting tips
Harriet M. Ashford
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What only a few years ago was dismissed as a quirky notion dreamt up by landscape architects is now turning...
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Hydrangeas: How Dried Orange Peel Can Boost Blooms and Colour
Harriet M. Ashford
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If you water your hydrangeas carefully and feed them regularly, you’ll know the frustration: washed-out leaves, smaller flower heads and...
News
How to Turn Squirrels into Garden Allies
Harriet M. Ashford
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A closer look changes everything. Plenty of keen gardeners grumble when a small, red bundle of fur darts through the...
News
Remove Moss from Your Patio with Vinegar and Bicarbonate of Soda
Harriet M. Ashford
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Many homeowners eventually give up on the green film of moss on patios, paths and driveways. You buy pricey specialist...
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Chickweed in Late March: Why It Beats Lettuce
Harriet M. Ashford
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At the end of March, a delicate, pale-green plant pushes its way to the front of the border among tulips,...
News
10 Fast-Growing Perennials to Fill Beds Quickly
Harriet M. Ashford
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Plenty of amateur gardeners will recognise the pattern: in spring the bed is prepped, a few plants go in -...
News
Nasturtium’s comeback in the veg patch: the easy, multi-purpose garden ally
Harriet M. Ashford
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Between seed trays, planting plans and the excitement of that first harvest, an old favourite suddenly reappears: nasturtium. For decades...
News
Pentas (Egyptian Starflower): an easy bee and butterfly magnet for garden and balcony
Harriet M. Ashford
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People with packed diaries often steer clear of labour-intensive borders, fussy perennials and delicate roses. Even so, the urge for...
News
March Pruning with Monty Don and Julian Palphramand: Five Ornamental Shrubs for More Flowers
Harriet M. Ashford
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In March, without much fuss, the groundwork is laid for how colourful the garden will look just a few weeks...