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.
Family
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.
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
Keep your veg garden productive
With a little care and attention you can keep all your herbs, fruit and vegetables at the peak of perfection, Martyn Cox offers some timely advice
How to make summer cordials
The hedgerows are bursting with elderflower and the garden is rich in fruit ripening in abundance. You can preserve the taste of summer right now, using fresh ingredients from your garden.
How can I garden to save the planet?
Sometimes global issues can make us feel helpless but we can all make changes to our daily routines which multiply up to significant results, says Debi Holland.
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 can I create some privacy in my garden?
Jean Vernon suggests some inspiring and simple ways to create some privacy in your garden
How can I make my garden containers more festive?
Geoff Stonebanks shares his festive tips and plants for garden containers.
Gardening for beginners – Planting Bulbs
Martyn Cox helps demystify gardening with his friendly and accessible advice.
What’s seasonal in the late summer garden?
Tamsin Westhorpe reminds us why September is a month to savour and celebrate. Late flowering perennials and seasonal fruit take her fancy.
Easy Savoury Summer Treats
Every summer Geoff Stonebanks bakes lots of different cakes, sweet and savoury for his open garden, to raise money for charity.
Two of the most popular savoury treats that Geoff makes for his garden visitors over recent years are his ricotta cheesecake and his savoury muffins. Here he shares his recipes.
How to care for your summer lawn
The best advice to care for your lawn after hot summer drought and torrential rain. Summer Lawn Care.
Winning with Flower Power – The Flower Power difference
Jean Willis started feeding her plants and garden with Flower Power and the results were so amazing that she was approached by a Britain in Bloom Judge to enter, and she won!
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.
Extending the grow-your-own season
Early September is the time to crack on with harvesting tomatoes, courgettes, peppers and other tender vegetables & fruit that you’ve been growing outside.
How to harvest, ripen and store your produce
After months of hard work, it’s time to reap the rewards of your labour. Martyn Cox helps you harvest, ripen and store your vegetables
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.
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
How to keep growing home-grown food
If you are growing your own food for the first time Martyn Cox offers his timely tips and advice to get the best from your crops
Getting started with fruit and veg
Martyn Cox offers some timely advice on growing fruit and vegetables in your summer garden.
Five plants to attract butterflies
Encourage more butterflies into your garden by choosing plants with nectar rich flowers
Buying plants
At this time of year, it’s all go in the garden. There’s lots to get on with, including planting up beds, borders, containers and hanging baskets. Geoff Hodge has plenty of advice about buying plants. Get the most from your garden centre purchases and choose wisely with his sage advice
Sweet treats for garden visitors
Make a high tea for a special friend, or bake a cake for a birthday, Geoff Stonebanks shares two of his most popular open garden day recipes
How to Find Sanctuary in a Pandemic
Step away from the news and social media and go outdoors. Your garden, local park or balcony can be your personal sanctuary. Simply stop, take a deep breath and inhale the wonders of nature.
Past Highlights of Chelsea Flower Show
RHS Chelsea Flower Show is not the centre of the universe, but usually for one week a year it becomes the pinnacle of all that is great in gardening and horticulture. This year the show is online, but here’s a taster of some of the highs from previous RHS Chelsea Flower Shows