Watering the garden is an essential job over summer. Here are a few tips to get the most out of watering and save money on the water meter.
Gardening advice
How to provide safe water for the birds
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.
Summer GYO advice
Martyn Cox shares his advice for peak summer Grow Your Own success to keep your plot productive.
Does all basil taste the same?
Vicki Cooke explores the virtues of The king of herbs – basil and offers some expert advice regarding taste and flavour
What’s the secret of brilliant hanging baskets?
Geoff Hodge offers some timely advice to make your hanging baskets spectacular this summer
Can I plant bulbs for the summer?
With spring well underway, it’s time to plan and plant for the summer. Debi Holland chooses her five favourite summer bulbs and offers her tips and advice along the way
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.
What’s the best way to label garden plants?
After years of experimenting with different plant labelling techniques, Tamsin Westhorpe shares her views on how to keep track of specimens in the garden.
How to tackle garden weeds
Love it or hate it, weeding the garden is something that needs to be done. Martyn Cox shares his hard earned experience in his new series for beginners.
Plant partners for roses
Rose expert Michael Marriott suggests some perfect companion plants for garden roses. Enhance your garden roses with the beauty of other flowering plants.
Gardening for beginners – Planting containers
Plants in pots will elevate any garden, whether you have a patch in the countryside, small urban plot or even a narrow balcony.
Plant food know-how: How and When to Feed Your Plants
Are you confused about feeding your plants? Geoff Hodge explains what you need to know.
Wonderful worms
Where would we be without worms? These soil dwelling creatures are responsible for soil health in our gardens. Without these wiggling creatures our soil would be compacted, starved of oxygen and probably waterlogged.
Make a date with your garden
Morning coffee is a simple way to get to know your garden. So next time you put the kettle on, take a seat outside and have a look around your garden. Who knows what you’ll see?
Grow broad beans
Broad beans are an easy vegetable to grow and much more robust than French or runner beans. Why not give them a go in your garden this year?
How can I make gardening a bit easier?
When the aches and pains limit your gardening, it can be disheartening. Debi Holland offers advice on how to keep yourself gardening when faced with restricted mobility
Know your onions
Get adventurous with your onions this year and try growing some unusual varieties from seed. Vicki Cooke, the former Royal Kitchen Garden Keeper at Hampton Court Palace, shows you how.
Pruning roses
Find out the best way to prune your bush, shrub and climbing roses with rose pruning advice from Michael Marriott of David Austin Roses.
Growing rhubarb
One of the easiest fruit you can grow in your garden is rhubarb. Vicki Cooke raises the humble rhubarb to gourmet status.
Five things to do in the garden in late winter
Get ahead in the garden now, before spring starts to burst. Garden expert Andy McIndoe helps you to play catch up in the late winter garden.
Berries for birds
Grow some plants in the garden that bear berries to help birds through the winter. Pyracantha, ivy, holly and cotoneaster are all good choices.
Can I grow my own festive holly and ivy?
Geoff Hodge offers his tips and advice on growing festive holly and ivy.
Christmas houseplants
The shops are brimming with some beautiful Christmas houseplants at the moment – but some are better than others. Here’s how to get the pick of the pots.
Getting ready for spring
It may be cold, wet, miserable and depressing outside but there’s still lots you can do outdoors to get your garden ready for spring.
Winter bird care
The garden is still rich in autumn fruit, seeds, nuts and berries and also insects, but competition is fierce. Here are 5 ways to help the birds over winter.
Five great winter grasses
Grass expert Neil Lucas suggests some fabulous grasses to turn your garden into a winter wonderland.
Five great grasses for containers
You don’t need a grass garden to appreciate the beauty of these useful plants, says Neil Lucas of Knoll Gardens.
Trees for winter bark
Create some winter structure with beautiful bark and stems. Andy McIndoe reveals his favourite winter trees, including Prunus serrula, Cornus alba & Betula.
What do I do about autumn leaves?
Whatever your feelings about the autumn tidy up, there is one job that does need getting on with – clearing away all those fallen autumn leaves.
What can you do with quinces?
Royal Kitchen Garden Keeper at Hampton Court Palace Vicki Cooke explores the history and uses of the fascinating quince
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