Now you’re probably thinking ‘this can’t be rocket science’ and you’d be absolutely right, but everyone has to start somewhere and not everyone has the help and advice of gardening fellows in their family or a friendly neighbourhood geezer, so here we go:

Step 1

Use a rake or a cane or something suitable to lay a straight edge as a guide, and make a shallow groove alongside it using the corner of a hoe or a trowel.  This is called a ‘drill’ and should Read the rest of this entry »

Few people have the deep, rich loamy soil needed to grow vegetables - if you do, count yourself very lucky.  For the rest of us, this is what to do if you have very wet or dry soil:

Wet Soil

If the soil is wet, clay soil then you’ll need to wait until April when the weather has warmed up a little and dried it enough to make it at least workable.  If you sow too soon Read the rest of this entry »

Sometimes, you make a decision to place a plant or shrub in one particular spot, only to discover later that it isn’t the right place.  It might be because the light isn’t right or the plant has grown so much there isn’t enough room for it.  Obviously, you need to move the plant, but what is the best way to move or transplant a shrub safely to avoid any unnecessary damage?

Prepare It Properly

The best time of year is when the plant is dormant and not flowering, usually mid Read the rest of this entry »

It’s that time of year when you’ll be considering what plants or flowers to plant in your garden, however, you need to remember to protect your new plants from slugs and snails and other pests.  It used to be the case you’d just spray them with chemicals, but many chemicals have now been withdrawn for environmental reasons.  As a gardener and nature lover, taking care of the environment and natural habitation should be top of our agenda, so how are we to look Read the rest of this entry »

Police in Prestatyn dealt with a rather unusual crime last month.  On the night of February 6th, police were alerted to individuals who were taking garden ornaments and gnomes from people’s gardens and dragging them out onto the pavement, where a vehicle was picking them up.

Two people were arrested and Read the rest of this entry »

This is an image, courtesy of Drives, showing a pneumatic flower display put in the offices of a ten-storey office block in Spitalfields, London. In repsonse to movement, these flowers start to move - and presumably scare Read the rest of this entry »

The classic bluebell, adored and treasured by many, normally blooms from early April to the end of May. However, the bluebell has been flowering all over the UK over a month earlier than usual. It was seen in February in Wales, Dorset and Surrey, amongst others.

Experts are blaming climate change with ever warmer temperatures early in the year. It was not the only flower to bloom early this year with National Trust gardeners spotting Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re lucky enough to have a greenhouse, you’ll probably know it’s quite easy to let it fall into disrepair.

To keep it in tiptop condition and prevent any pests spreading in the warm conditions takes around ten minutes a day in the summer, but now’s probably the time to give it its spring clean after the winter, which could take you up to two hours. Here’s our list of top tips for maintaining your greenhouse: Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re a big fan of orchids, this Royal Horticultural Society event has to be for you. The RHS London Orchid Show is taking place this year on the 15th and 16th March, but if you can’t wait that long there Read the rest of this entry »

If you live in a hard water area, chances are you are plagued with the build up of excess calcium and magnesium and other minerals on your appliances, including your garden hose head, nozzle and sprinklers.

There are various products you can buy to prevent this and get rid of it, but here’s our top, cheap, organic tip: use white vinegar.

White vinegar is a weak acid Read the rest of this entry »