The days are almost at their shortest and the mercury has plummeted, but even in a brisk December there are a few things you can do in the garden to keep you warm and get ahead of the game ready for next year. Your December gardening to do list: Prune deciduous trees and shrubs I … Continue reading December Garden To Do List
Encouraging soil microbes and other creatures together with fungi by adding organic material such as compost to your plantings is beneficial to your plants. Together they make nutrients available to the roots of your plants, reducing the need to apply fertiliser. A soil more rich in organic matter will retain moisture for longer and drain … Continue reading Build your own composter
The garden is now winding down towards its winter dormancy, but this does not mean there is nothing to do in the garden this month. Your November gardening todo list: Lawns Early in the month the lawn will still be growing. Keep mowing until growth ceases and continue keeping it clear of leaves. If you … Continue reading November Garden To Do List
I remember climate change and the greenhouse effect being talked about when I was at school in the 1980's and here we are still talking about it nearly 40 years later. Whether you accept that global warming is caused by human activity or not, this year's Australian and Californian bush fires have provided stark evidence … Continue reading Plant a tree to tackle climate change
I advocate making use of the garden 'down time' during autumn and throughout winter to get ahead of the game so that you can start enjoying the garden right from spring. If you wait until spring to restart your garden maintenance regime you may not be able to fully enjoy it until summer. Waiting until spring … Continue reading The Annual Autumn Garden cut back (or not)
The swallows have gone and summer temperatures of 30 (or even 40!) degrees seem like a distant memory. This does not mean however that the gardening should now wait until May. With a little ongoing maintenance over the autumn and winter months you can have a garden to enjoy come spring, rather than spend your … Continue reading October Gardening To Do List
C'est la rentrée! The mornings now have a distinct freshness about them, which is a relief from the baking heat of midsummer, but is a sign that the season is about to turn later this month (follow the astronomical calendar, not the entirely arbitrary meteorological one). La Chasse resumes, the sweetcorn and sunflower fields will … Continue reading September Garden To Do List
Like the world, gardening is going through a period of substantial change. Subjects of climate change and sustainability are (hopefully) changing the way we garden. Big issues such as herbicide/pesticide and single use/non recyclable plastic use (something which the horticultural community is very much guilty of) are being tackled. Pollinating insects essential to food production, … Continue reading Making a meadow
Hedges. We love hedges. They form our boundaries making us feel protected, secure and not overlooked. They frame desirable views and shield unwanted views. They provide winter structure and a summer backdrop. They can provide summer shade. They filter and attenuate strong winds and perform infinitely better over their lifetime than a wooden fence with … Continue reading Hedges
Summer is well and truly here, gardens are now scorched dry, but a hint of autumn is on the evening air. At this time of year gardening work consists of mainly keeping things ticking over and the pleasure of harvesting. Enjoy the last of the summer with a mojito under a parasol and if you … Continue reading August Garden To Do List
