The wonderful display of lush leaves from my Canna’s this year has now been frosted and now the foliage has been cut back and composted, the rhizomes will be stored in their pots in my frost free greenhouse. This once popular ‘exotic’ plant has been blighted by the arrival of a virus, reducing their vigour […]
It’s trendy, we’re told by certain superstores and style setters, to have a black Christmas tree or even an upside-down one, artificial, of course, and, because they last for years, they are more environmentally friendly than plantation-grown real ones. Well, if the tree you buy has been sustainably grown in the UK (and, this year, […]
October is peak time for apple picking in my garden – most of the twenty four varieties growing as easy to manage cordons are ready by then. Harvesting is easy, ‘lift and twist’ gently and the fruit should detach, if not try another day. It’s a leisurely and therapeutic operation, pop five fruits in a […]
It is always great to have an early Autumn surprise in the garden, particularly after the second dreadful summer in succession. Those who still talk of water shortages and the need for ‘dry’ gardens to counter the predicted hot dry summers should surely reconsider their views as global warming seems to be going to extemes […]
I have found symptoms of American Gooseberry mildew, a form of powdery mildew on one of my gooseberry plants, as there is a purple bronze tint to the leaves. It is one of many forms of this disease that can be a problem in summer, on a range of plants. The upper leaf surfaces are […]
Brits are turning to their gardens in record numbers as food prices shoot up. Growing your own food hasn’t been such a popular idea since the rationing years during World War II but many don’t know where to begin. Perhaps the handiest place to grow your own food is in the greenhouse or garden at […]
Tomatoes bought from shops and supermarkets are pale imitation of those grown at home, lacking not only the flavour but the rich aroma of those grown in your greenhouse. To ensure good crops, keep them well shaded, ventilated, fed and watered throughout the growing season and remove the leaf just above the fourth truss to […]
As the holiday season nears, here are a few ideas to ensure that your houseplants survive while you’re away. If a friend is watering them for you, move all of the plants into one room, so that nothing gets forgotten. The kitchen is ideal, as they are near the water supply and can stand on […]
Although it is May and the garden centre is awash with beautiful bedding, it’s better to resist the temptation to buy until you are certain that the last frost has past – particularly after the erratic spring we’ve just experienced – if you live in a ‘frost pocket’ or northern parts of Britain. Suppliers make […]
A warm spell, followed by several days of unpredictable wet, cold weather with four seasons in one day is typical of March and has left the soil in most parts of the country cold and waterlogged. Seeds only germinate when the soil is warm and moist; sow too early, even if it is the suggested […]
Beetroot is an excellent vegetable which is packed with goodness, so it’s always worth sowing a few. Sow just enough for your needs at monthly intervals for a constant supply. The first sowings can be made under cloches in early March, providing soil temperatures are not below 7C (44F) for harvest in late May or […]
The arrival of February is a reminder that spring is just one step closer, it quickens the heartbeat, brightens the spirit and sends gardeners running to the greenhouse to start the seed sowing season. Plants like peppers, chillies and aubergines which need a long growing season, up to five months to mature should be sown […]
