If you have a heated propagator or a space on a warm, bright windowsill, sow tomatoes seeds at the end of January or start of February. Here’s how to sow…
Top tips
Spring lawn care tips
When it comes to spring lawn care there are three key jobs need doing. These are scarifying, spiking, and top-dressing. SCARIFYING removes moss and ‘thatch’ – small pieces of dead grass…
Find out how long your seed packets will last
If you are sorting through old seed packets through the winter months use this handy table to decide whether seeds are worth keeping. Veg and flower seeds and how long…
Berries on holly explained plus 5 top buys
Hollies are either male or female – only the females berry. Very few are self-fertile, so a female generally needs a male nearby (in the same garden or a neighbour’s)…
How to grow the perfect Christmas roses
To grow Christmas roses start off by buying cheaper ‘tester’ Helleborus niger in smaller pots. If possible, buy your Christmas roses in flower, looking for rounded blooms and plenty of healthy…
How to create a self-watering planter
WATERING tomatoes and other large plants all year round, especially during busy times, can be a lot of hard work. A number of self-watering planter systems are available to buy…
How to make a Christmas containers
For a cool, sophisticated look choose white and silver plants and embellish them with silver decorations and bright lights. This display will look classy for many months and the cineraria…
Top tips for autumn leaves
1) Composting Autumn leaves are great for composting especially tree leaves. Tree leaves are rich in trace minerals as they have drawn in nutrients from the subsoil gained from the…
How to spike your lawn [video]
Our Amateur Gardening expert shows you how to deal with waterlogged lawns, to improve your turf and set it up for either summer or winter. This job is best carried out…
How to create a Christmas apple tree decoration
This is a great alternative to traditional Christmas decorations. Use up surplus apple harvests or buy a few bags from the supermarket. Take a walk and see what berries you…