As a nation we love feeding the birds. But it’s just as important to ensure they have a safe and reliable source of fresh water says Jean Vernon.
Children
Growing cosmos for cut flowers
Cosmos are one of the easiest, most rewarding flowers you can grow in your garden. Their simple, open flowers have a friendly, smiley, summery demeanor and can be planted in beds, borders, pots and containers all around your garden with simply stunning results.
Which annuals should I grow?
Debi Holland shares her love of garden annuals and suggests five fabulous annuals to grow in your garden
Garden Easter egg hunt
Easter is the perfect time to get the family outside and to make the most of your outdoor space. Get decoration and craft ideas including dyed eggs.
Pumpkin carving
Get into the mood of Halloween by carving a pumpkin. If you’ve never carved a pumpkin before, follow this easy step by step to create a spook-tacular masterpiece!
October half-term fun for kids
Tamsin Westhorpe is keen to fill the October half term with adventures in the garden.
What sort of containers can I grow plants in?
Bored of pots and planters? You don’t need to buy special containers for your plants. Why not recycle something to create a more unusual display? Debi Holland offers some suggestions
How to reconnect teenagers with nature
Prise the kids away from their screens and give them a reason to get outside into nature. Debi Holland has lots of ideas
Grow attractive edibles
In his Grow-Your-Own feature Martyn Cox recommends plants that look good and taste great.
How can I garden more naturally?
Jean Vernon suggests a few ways to garden more gently, lessening your impact on the planet and its precious resources
How to garden safely with your family
If you share your garden with children, pets and wildlife it’s important to choose products that are safe to use around them.
A tower of strawberries
Everyone loves strawberries and it’s so easy to grow your own. Clare Matthews has a great idea for making a strawberry tower that will keep the kids busy for a spring afternoon.
Mini salad box
Teach the kids some garden basics and get started yourself this spring with this fun and easy to grow salad box from Clare Matthews.
What was your gateway plant?
We asked some of our contributors which plant got them hooked on gardening? It’s a fascinating insight into plants and gardens and may just take you back down memory lane.
Guerrilla gardening for kids
Get the kids into guerrilla gardening by making seed bombs to add colour to the garden. This is an extract from a book on children’s gardening by Matthew Appleby.
How to harvest, ripen and increase your garden bounty
How to harvest, ripen and increase your garden bounty, Martyn Cox helps you make the most of your garden edibles with some timely GYO advice.
Make garden cane toppers
Make some bright and cheery cane toppers for the garden, they will protect your eyes and make a jaunty splash of colour. Clare Matthews gets the children involved in this garden project.
Keeping your fruit & veg healthy and productive
Martyn Cox helps you harvest some fruit and vegetable treasure and offers advice to keep your plants productive
My Flower Power Story – Our Magic Potion
Susan and Keith Wells were gifted Flower Power by a grateful neighbour, now they use it in their garden and call it their Magic Potion
Ideas to take home from RHS Chelsea 2019
There are so many inspirational gems at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, many are unachievable in most gardens, but here are five ideas from this year’s show to take home for your plot
Easter activities for children
The Easter holidays are the perfect time to get the kids outside. Here are a few activities to get kids helping in the garden, from crafts to easy plants.
What’s a good way to introduce gardening and plants to children?
Make the most of the school holiday and encourage children to start gardening, says Tamsin Westhorpe
What is Garden Re-Leaf day?
March 22nd 2019 is Garden Re Leaf day, but what does that mean? Jean Vernon explains.
What sort of strawberries should I grow?
I was once party to a late night student debate about the most perfect fruit. The eventual winner was the strawberry, because of its mouth sized portions, no peel or core to deal with, no need for preparation or condiments and so sweetly delicious I have never met anyone who claims to dislike them. To […]
Which indoor plants are on-trend?
Jean Vernon explores a few of the on-trend plant groups that are grabbing the attention of new gardeners
My Flower Power Story – Spectacular flowers on a budget
It might be October, but one garden in the West midlands is still a riot of colour thanks to the hard work of Dennis Amos and his garden helpers, plus the unrivalled vigor of his new plant food, Flower Power. New Convert Dennis is the first to admit that he used to use a popular […]
Gardens to visit with children
The great outdoors is a fantastic place for children to play, explore and learn. A garden offers all this and more as a contained space full of botanical beauty and a variety of different environments. Not every garden is child friendly, but these days many are embracing the benefits of younger visitors and adding a […]
Get children playing outside
In his new book, Matt Appleby has a wealth of ideas to encourage children to get outside in the garden. This is an extract from the book.
Five plants to amuse kids
If the kids show an interest in gardening, start planning now to nurture their enthusiasm and choose easy, fun plants to entertain and educate them.
Day out at Belton House
Belton House, near Grantham, is a great garden to visit with children. There’s a great adventure playground with slides, zip wires, swings and a fort.
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