Homemade compost is a great soil conditioner to use as surface mulch around existing plants or for digging it in to your soil before planting. All soils benefit from the addition of bulky organic matter, which will act as a sponge to hold moisture in light, sandy soils and help break down heavy clay soils, making them easier to work...

Growing plants from seed is one of the first memories that many people have from gardening. Sowing mustard or cress onto wet kitchen towels and watching them on the window sill each day as the seed swells and germinates is a great way to get children involved - especially as the end result can be eaten! Many plants, from colourful...

In recent years, the UK has seen its fair share of wintery flurries. Many of the plants that are grown in our gardens are perfectly hardy and, if growing in the ground, are not damaged by low temperatures. However, there are some easy ways to give your garden extra protection against snow, cold snaps and generally unpredictable weather patterns...

Depending on size and variety, most Christmas trees will have been lovingly nurtured for over 5-10 years before being sold, so they deserve to continue being as well looked after. Here we explore some top tips to keep your Christmas tree looking beautiful throughout the festive season. When you first bring your cut tree home (before bringing inside), cut 3cm...

At Christmas time, we all fall into one of two camps...real or artificial tree? If you're a supporter of the traditional real tree you're in the right place! Buying a real Christmas tree often marks the start of the season and choosing from the types of trees available is an adventure all in itself. So how do you choose a...

Autumn and early winter are the ideal times to plant trees. The soil is still warm and the plants are losing their leaves, so will need less water and be under less stress as they establish their root system through the winter. Container grown trees are available year round from your local garden centre.

One of the biggest benefits of gardening is seeing the fruits of your labour and it’s important to get the most from your garden by creating something you can take pride in. One of the easiest ways to maintain a garden you can enjoy is to ensure that you care for it properly - and this begins with preparation and...

Each and every garden consists of a mixture of different micro-environments. No two gardens offer exactly the same conditions, and this is one of the reasons why gardening is such an exciting hobby. The soil is the starting point for successful gardening. The old saying ‘The secret lies in the soil’ couldn’t be more right! Your soil type is fundamental...

Spring is the best time of year to take cuttings from perennials such as Phlox, Sedum, Cat Mint and Aster which will flower later in the summer and early autumn. Giving these plants the ‘Chelsea Chop’ trim in May provides you with plenty of softwood material for cuttings so that you can use to replace old plants easily or simply...

If there are particular trees, shrubs, climbers, fruit bushes or roses that you love in your garden and you’re looking to grow more, the easiest way to do this is to take hardwood cuttings. Propagating is especially useful when you need a large number of the same plant – hedges are a perfect example of how hardwood cuttings are used...

If you’re planning to put together a new garden and want to be able to grow pretty much anything, then a good greenhouse should definitely be on your list of things to buy. A greenhouse allows you to create an atmosphere far hotter and more humid than your actual climate will allow.

A nice flowerbed remains one of the most enjoyable ways to add real colour, height and scents to your garden. Popular since Victorian times, bedding plants are ideal for relative beginners because they offer the chance for results without too much difficulty. Not only that, but you’ll see the impact almost immediately without having to invest a great deal of...