A 5kg coir brick is surprisingly compact. Put one beside a large bag of conventional growing medium and it can be difficult to imagine that, with the addition of water, the brick will expand to many times its original size. It is one of the reasons compressed coir has proved so practical for gardeners. It […]
September can feel rather like the closing chapter of the gardening year. The tomatoes are ripening more slowly, mornings arrive with a little more chill, and the first fallen leaves begin to gather around the garden. Yet for the vegetable gardener, September is certainly not the end of the growing season. Choose the right crops […]
August is often one of the most rewarding months in the British garden. Vegetable plots are producing their finest harvests, borders are bursting with colour, and the greenhouse is full of life. Whilst it is tempting to simply enjoy the fruits of your labour, a little attention now will ensure your garden continues to flourish […]
Why Growing Something Changes More Than Your Garden A Garden Begins Long Before the First Seed There is a particular moment that arrives almost unnoticed on a summer morning. The kettle has only just boiled, the grass is still carrying the night’s dew and somewhere beyond the hedge a blackbird is already convinced the day […]
Why Gardening Changes More Than Your Garden There is a habit many gardeners have, although I suspect most never really think about it. The kettle goes on first. Then, mug in hand, they wander outside for a few minutes before the day properly begins. Not because anything urgently needs doing, but simply to see what’s […]
Walk into any garden centre and you’ll find shelves full of houseplant composts, potting mixes, bark blends, perlite, coir and specialist growing media. For many plant owners, the choice can feel overwhelming. Should you buy houseplant compost? Do Monsteras need something different from Peace Lilies? Why does one plant seem to thrive whilst another struggles […]
Few gardening experiences are more disappointing than watching a tray of promising seedlings struggle. One week they appear healthy and full of potential. The next, they are collapsing, turning yellow, stretching towards the light or simply failing to grow. Most gardeners have experienced it. In fact, if you’ve ever lost a batch of seedlings, you’re […]
Walk into any garden centre today and you’ll see the words “peat-free” almost everywhere. Potting composts, seed composts, grow bags, houseplant mixes and vegetable composts are increasingly being sold without peat. For many gardeners, however, this has created as many questions as answers. Does peat-free compost actually work? Why do some gardeners love it whilst […]
If there is one mistake responsible for more struggling houseplants than almost any other, it is overwatering. Many plant owners assume a drooping leaf means their plant needs more water. A yellowing leaf? More water. Slow growth? More water. Unfortunately, this often makes the problem worse. Across homes throughout the UK, countless houseplants suffer not […]
Growing your own vegetables has never been more popular. Across the UK, gardeners are transforming patios, allotments, greenhouses and back gardens into productive growing spaces capable of producing everything from salad crops and herbs to tomatoes, courgettes and beans. At the same time, interest in peat-free gardening continues to grow as gardeners seek practical alternatives […]
