How to guides

Summer can be a really rewarding time for gardeners as you start to see the fruits of your labour bloom and burst with colour. But that doesn’t mean the work is over! Maintenance is a gardener’s number one priority in the warmer months with the hotter temperatures and drier weather bringing conditions that mean plants, grass, and ...

During the warmer months, your garden may need a little more attention when it comes to water maintenance to keep it flourishing all season long. Here are our top tips for conserving water and using water responsibly while caring for your garden in the summer.Plant selectionWhat you plant can influence how well your garden survives dry conditions. ...

For a vibrant display of colourful blooms later in the year, fill your beds and containers with summer flowering bulbs as soon as the risk of frost has passed.What to plantSummer flowering bulbs (and tubers and corms) often produce dramatic, colourful and eyecatching flowers. From Lilies and Dahlias, to Gladioli and Agapanthus, there are hundreds ...

Hanging baskets and hanging pots are an instant way to beautify your house, fences or trellis, giving your garden more personality and character. During the summer, hanging baskets can really lighten up even the dullest porch or doorway, making a wonderful first impression for visitors to your home. From seasonal bedding plants and dwarf bulbs to ...

Hedgehogs aren’t just cute, they’re also a really useful part of the garden ecosystem, so it’s a good idea to welcome them into your space and help them snuggle down for winter. So, keep reading to find out why hedgehogs are such an asset to your garden and how you can help them out.Why are hedgehogs good for your garden?Hedgehogs ...

From bees and butterflies to hoverflies and insects, pollinators bring life and movement to our gardens. These remarkable creatures do far more than brighten our outdoor spaces, they play a vital role in supporting biodiversity and helping many plants reproduce. With pollinator populations facing increasing challenges from habitat loss and ...

A little warm weather is all the excuse we need for hosting a barbecue. Come rain or shine, the great British pursuit of barbecuing is among the highlights of our summer. Choosing the right barbecue that can handle your requirements is more than just a question of taste, and the choice can seem a little overwhelming. Our barbecue buying guide is ...

Buying a new piece of garden furniture is an exciting investment into spending more time enjoying your outside space – however you wish to use it. Whether you’re looking for a wooden bench for two or a resin weave suite for eight, there are lots of options to consider. Our furniture buying guide explores the most frequently asked ...

There is nothing more satisfying than sitting down to a meal where one or more of the ingredients have been produced from your own garden or allotment. As soon as dinner is served, every moment of hard work and effort that goes into growing your own is immediately rewarded. Once your freezer and store room are full, why not get out your recipe ...

There is nothing like the taste of homegrown tomatoes, and they are fairly simple to grow and look after. Tomatoes really like warmth, so it’s best to sow them indoors between February and April. If you’re planning to grow outdoors, plants should be hardened off first, by moving them outside for prolonged periods of time on a gradual ...

Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the popularity of houseplants, partly due to more people working from home and wanting to create a fresh and welcoming environment. As well as creating a mini makeover for your home, plants can help your health and wellbeing by improving the air quality as well as your mood. When it comes to ...

Orchids are one of the most elegant and beautiful of all the houseplants, and because they have slightly different needs, they can be thought of as a difficult plant to look after. However, they are quite simple to care for if you learn about their unique needs. In the wild, most orchid species would grow on the bark of trees, and because of this, ...