A seashell garden path – is it the best and most attra
A seashell garden path is probably the most environmentally friendly path option you can choose. It’s relatively cheap and you can lay it yourself.A...
13-05-2018 21:40
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A shady border – the best (and easiest) part of your g
My shady border is probably better for longer than anywhere else in the garden. Although I do far less work in it – less planting and weeding – th...
06-05-2018 21:43
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Which are the best gardening gloves"
As a garden blogger, I’m often given free gardening gloves to review.However, I also buy them, because not all gardening gloves are the same. There ...
29-04-2018 21:40
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New directions in garden privacy screens
Garden privacy screens have really changed alot in the last few years. There are lots of new, exciting designs.As more houses are built, gardens get s...
22-04-2018 21:38
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Garden ideas from the Ascot Garden Show
I’ve just been to the Ascot Garden Show, England’s newest garden show (held 13th-15th April).It can’t be easy to start a garden show from scratc...
15-04-2018 21:41
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Daylilies are edible – how to eat from your flowerbed
‘Daylilies are edible’ I said to our guests. ‘So we’re going to dig some up this weekend and eat them.’Everyone was very positive (although ...
08-04-2018 21:43
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How to deal with winter damage to shrubs….
Here in the South East (of England), we’re assessing the winter damage to our gardens.The real problems weren’t caused by the snow, freezing winds...
01-04-2018 21:45
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Tree surgeon, arborist or chain saw man" Why you need t
I didn’t know the difference between a tree surgeon, an arborist (also known as an arboriculturalist) and a Chain Saw Man when we first moved into a...
25-03-2018 21:45
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A new look at the March garden…
What do you imagine to be the essence of a ‘March garden’"January and February stand for frosts, snowdrops, the brilliant colours of cornus stems...
18-03-2018 21:46
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How to make natural plant supports from clippings
I’ve seen other people make natural plant supports from clippings. But not being a very handy person, I hadn’t thought of actually trying it mysel...
11-03-2018 21:46
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How to make your garden different with unusual plants
I’ve always been slightly nervous of buying ‘unusual plants.’Maybe they’re just for expert gardeners" More demanding" Difficult to grow"Nandin...
04-03-2018 21:41
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8 beautifully simple garden ideas that really work
The Diggers Club Garden of St Erth demonstrates simple garden ideas to home gardeners.It’s a charming and very domestic-scale garden. Every idea in ...
25-02-2018 21:41
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Inspiring indoor garden pot and planter ideas
It can be difficult to find the right indoor garden pot for your newly fashionable house plant.The chain stores, such as B&Q and Ikea, do a good line ...
18-02-2018 21:40
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20+ best vegetable varieties to grow
I’m creating a super-list of the best vegetable varieties to grow.Out of curiosity, I threw myself on the mercy of Twitter. I asked the garden and a...
11-02-2018 21:45
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YouTube gardening – discover a new world of garden gur
YouTube gardening videos are a very useful resource. If you want to know how to prune roses, make a raised bed or plant potatoes, seeing it on video i...
04-02-2018 21:43
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Is it time for a garden appraisal"
If you want to take your garden up a notch, book a garden appraisal.Maybe you’ve moved to a new house and you don’t even know what’s in your gar...
28-01-2018 21:46
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What is ‘re-wilding’ and why does it matter to y
I first heard the term ‘re-wilding’ at Glee 2017, the horticultural trades show. It’s one of the big new trends in gardening.It means appreciati...
21-01-2018 21:50
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Natural dye from your garden – beautiful, creative and
Yasmin Hossain makes natural dye from garden plants. She uses it to dye beautiful silk and wool fabrics.And I believe that grow-your-own dyes from gar...
14-01-2018 21:42
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How to find a gardener who’s perfect for your garden
What’s the first thing you think about when you decide to find a gardener"Is it ‘how much does a gardener cost"’Or ‘how do I find a gardener w...
07-01-2018 21:44
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The best of 2017 in middlesized gardening…
To wish you ‘happy Christmas’, here is ‘the best of 2017’ – the most popular posts published in 2017 in the Middlesized Garden, plus my favo...
17-12-2017 21:37
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The best blogging tips of the year….
What are your best blogging tips of the year" I’ll tell you mine, if you tell me yours.Britmums is a blogging collective. Although it’s mainly for...
10-12-2017 21:38
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Christmas ideas – a white Christmas tablescape
The phrase ‘Christmas tablescape’ has emerged from Pinterest, along with ‘Christmas mantelscapes.’This Christmas tablescape is on the piano in...
03-12-2017 21:38
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New Contemporary Garden course discount – 10% off! Plu
Learning With Experts (formerly My Garden School) is offering Middlesized Garden readers a 10% off their New Contemporary Garden course, taught by RHS...
30-11-2017 21:38
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Jam jar Christmas – how to decorate with garden clippi
I love jam jar flower arrangements, so I’ve asked florist-tutor Julie Davies how to do jam jar Christmas decorations.Jam jar Christmas decorations c...
26-11-2017 21:55
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Bloggers’ picks – the best Christmas gifts for g
I’ve asked a range of leading bloggers to recommend the best gifts for gardeners. I set a price limit of under £50.And by gardeners, of course, I me...
19-11-2017 21:59
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Don’t dig up dahlias for winter! What to do instead
I don’t dig up dahlias to store them at the end of the summer.
I?ve been growing dahlias for fifteen years, and I only dug a few up once. They died....
12-11-2017 21:55
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Join the 1970s house plants revolution
I was part of the original 1970s house plants movement.
When I first left home, house plants were as essential as having a coffee mug, a Habitat plate...
05-11-2017 21:58
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Secret Gardens and Secret Gardeners…book reviews
I’ve been sent review copies of Secret Gardens of East Anglia by Barbara Segall & Marcus Harpur, and The Secret Gardeners by Victoria Summerley & Hu...
29-10-2017 22:00
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How to dry chillies – 3 easy ways
I’ve just learned how to dry chillies Italian-style.
If you stroll round the ancient hilltop towns of southern Italy in October, you will see string...
22-10-2017 21:58
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Is someone stealing your blog" (And what to do about it
How do you know when someone is stealing your blog"
And what can you do about it" I’ve just had this experience (not for the first time).
So have se...
14-10-2017 21:54
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Review: Monty Don’s new book ‘Down To Earth̵
Monty Don’s new book, Down to Earth, has lots of good practical advice, but it isn’t a ‘how to.’
Monty Don’s new book, ‘Down To Earth’, ...
08-10-2017 21:57
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How to save lots of money and create an unusual garden
My friend Anna has a wonderful, unusual garden.
And practically everything in it has been swapped or acquired for free.
Swapping and recycling doesnâ€...
01-10-2017 22:03
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How to make a terrarium that won’t die in 6 weeks
The terrarium is back in fashion. You probably last saw one in the 1970s, gathering dust in Great-aunt Agatha’s musty Victorian interior.
Now you mi...
24-09-2017 22:04
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2018 garden trends – what’s new for your garden
I’ve been taking a sneak peek at the 2018 garden trends .
I spent two days at GLEE, the exhibition where the gardening industry displays or discover...
17-09-2017 21:57
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An orchard in the garden" You really do have the space!
‘Laura has an orchard in the garden,’ said my friend, Rosie, over a gin-and-tonic.
Firstly, Laura and Rosie live in the same street in the market ...
10-09-2017 21:55
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Le Jardin Agapanthe – love it or hate it, but don̵
You will love Le Jardin Agapanthe in Normandy, France. Or you will hate it.
But it’s not like most other gardens you’ll visit. There are no lawns,...
03-09-2017 21:56
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12 crazy (but fabulous) garden ideas from Spain
Garden ideas picked up from holidays abroad have inspired garden designers for years.
Every year, there are several award-winning RHS show gardens bas...
27-08-2017 21:59
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What you really need to know about creating a roof garden
This week I visited the roof garden at John Lewis in Oxford Street, designed by Tony Woods.
Tony is a former RHS Young Designer of the Year. He and hi...
20-08-2017 21:52
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How to style your garden – smart tips and finishing to
‘Style your garden’ doesn’t mean exactly the same as ‘design your garden.’
Designing a garden is about choosing a theme, then planning the h...
14-08-2017 21:56
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An unusual tropical garden in the Kent countryside
Steven Edney and Louise Dowle’s middle-sized tropical garden, Sweetbriar, is just three years old. But it’s already opening for the NGS today (6th...
07-08-2017 21:52
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How important is your garden path"
I visited a beautifully planted garden last year, but it was spoilt by its garden path.
The garden owner clearly didn’t care about her garden paths....
30-07-2017 21:55
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Which hedge is right for my garden"
A friend recently asked me which hedge she should choose for her garden.
It’s a bit like being asked for the answer to world peace. It’s rather a ...
23-07-2017 22:00
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How to turn a pergola into a simple gazebo.
We decided to turn a neglected pergola in the corner of the garden into a simple gazebo, in order to create an ‘outside room.’
It has a wonderful ...
16-07-2017 21:55
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Children’s gardening – some really good and fun
Children’s gardening is perennially in the news.
How can we encourage the young to be interested in gardening" Should we even try"
I have a theory. ...
09-07-2017 21:56
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Garden party decorations – for a big party on a small
I love garden party decorations. Flowers, bunting, lights…it’s all such fun.
This week we ‘re giving a party for my brother-in-law’s big birth...
02-07-2017 21:54
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What colour should I paint my shed"
I have been debating the crucial issue of what colour to paint my shed.
Painting your shed transforms your garden. And if I paint my shed, it’ll als...
18-06-2017 21:54
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Are we seeing a new direction in weeds"
Is it my imagination or are we seeing more ‘weeds’ in gardens now"
I don’t mean gardens that look unkempt. Some of the prettiest gardens now una...
11-06-2017 21:49
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11 charming small garden ideas on a budget
If asked for ‘small garden ideas’, I wouldn’t normally start with advising you to plant a large cypress tree right in the middle of your courty...
04-06-2017 21:53
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A few of my favourite gardening things…
‘Gardening things’ may sound a bit vague, but I wanted to tell you about a few of the best things that I’ve tried recently.
I’ve bought or bee...
28-05-2017 21:56
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The best plants for amazingly low maintenance garden pots
What are ‘low maintenance garden pots’" After all, how low can you go"
Can you go away on holiday for a fortnight without asking anyone to water y...
21-05-2017 22:09
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How to create a delightful seaside garden
I’ve been visiting gardens in Whitstable to pick up seaside garden ideas.
Above is a bed from the seaside garden at 5 Clare Road, open part of Whits...
14-05-2017 22:00
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8 steps to the long thin garden of your dreams
Two years ago Emma and Mel moved to a house in Whitstable with a long thin garden.
They came from a London flat with a tiny courtyard: ‘I’ve been ...
07-05-2017 21:52
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How to think like a modern plant hunter…
If you google ‘plant hunter’, Michael Perry, aka Mr Plant Geek, will pop up sooner rather than later.
Plant hunters used to be Georgian, Victorian...
30-04-2017 21:57
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Win a handmade Oak & Rope Seed Packet Tidy worth £65!
I’ve been given an oak ‘Seed Packet Tidy’ by The Oak & Rope Company.
And I liked it so much I asked the company to give you one, too.
The Oak & ...
27-04-2017 21:55
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Orchid care – how to stop feeling guilty and love your
Do you feel guilty about orchid care"
Have you been given a potted orchid which did look beautiful for weeks"
And do you now have a sad little transpa...
23-04-2017 21:58
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10 no-time, no-money last-minute Easter decorating secrets
I woke up to Easter decorating rather late this year.
You may already have your spring door wreath, complete with succulents and quails’ eggs on you...
14-04-2017 21:51
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Win tickets to the Country Living Fair + discount!
You could win tickets to the Country Living Fair, from 27th-30th April at Alexandra Palace, London. We’re giving away four pairs of tickets, worth £...
05-04-2017 21:49
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How to create a brilliant exotic garden in a cool climate
There’s a definite trend towards the exotic garden.
Or even just the exotic border. You don’t have to rip your whole garden out and re-plant with ...
02-04-2017 21:55
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My favourite new garden tools and books
Garden bloggers see alot of new garden tools and books at the beginning of the gardening year.
This year, garden tools are lighter and stronger than t...
26-03-2017 21:50
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What do you think about garden sculpture and ornaments"
People with middle-sized gardens used to worry about garden sculpture and ornaments. They seemed too close to garden gnomes.
As children, we loved pe...
19-03-2017 21:55
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How much food can you grow in a small urban garden"
Could you double or treble the amount of food you grow in your small urban garden"
I visited a garden recently which packs layers of fruit, vegetables...
12-03-2017 21:54
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Are you missing out" Why Facebook is important
I’ve had so many questions about why Facebook is important in the past few months.
Even those who hate social media are tentatively asking me whethe...
05-03-2017 21:55
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What do you need to build a unique shed"
This is the story of how to build a unique shed out of salvage, imagination and hard work.
Garden maker Posy Gentles decided she wanted a new shed sev...
26-02-2017 21:53
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A week in the life of a garden blogger
What does a garden blogger do"
Or, indeed, what does any blogger do"
And, most importantly, does blogging make money" If so, how"
The world wakes up i...
19-02-2017 21:52
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How to create an irresistibly romantic garden….
What is a romantic garden"
Everyone will have their own definition. So with Valentine’s Day looming up, I’ve picked out ten ‘romantic garden’ ...
12-02-2017 22:21
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Effective medicinal plants to grow in your garden
Until 100 years ago, we used medicinal plants to treat most illnesses.
And, according to a new book, The Gardener’s Companion to Medicinal Plants, t...
05-02-2017 21:56
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Where is gardening illegal"
Gardening illegal" Surely not!
But when I was recently ‘researching gardening’ (otherwise known as ‘wasting time’) online, I discovered that o...
29-01-2017 21:59
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Espaliered fruit trees – the perfect solution for smal
Espaliered fruit trees are probably the smartest trees to look at in winter, with their tailored elegance.
As smart as anything from a Saville Row tai...
22-01-2017 21:50
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What makes a good wildlife garden"
What do you consider to be a ‘wildlife garden’"
Do you think it means weeds and untidiness" Or a great deal of hard work"
In fact, a wildlife gard...
15-01-2017 21:51
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Is it time to change your mind about a chainsaw"
This weekend you may wish you had a chainsaw.
It’s time to take down the Christmas tree, which is why this Sunday’s post is coming out today.
A ch...
06-01-2017 21:48
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A year of glorious gardens to visit
Here are some of my favourite gardens to visit.
These are taken from gardens I visited in 2016 that will also open to the public in 2017.
Some are ‘...
01-01-2017 21:47
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How to revive your Christmas table decorations with pink
Can I tempt you with pink Christmas table decorations"
We’ve come in from the garden this week (having cut armfuls of ivy, eucalyptus and birch twig...
18-12-2016 21:51
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How to make a beautiful twig wreath from tree trimmings
A twig wreath is easy, quick and stylish.
And it’s free, if you use your garden trimmings.
Now is a good time to prune many trees, shrubs and climbe...
11-12-2016 21:47
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Christmas garden decorations – how to be festive and w
Christmas garden decorations. Do you love them, or do you worry about light pollution"
Decorating your garden at Christmas is a trend that has crept o...
04-12-2016 21:49
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10 fascinating garden gifts we’d all love to get
Garden gifts are tricky.
I don’t think any of us wants a random plant. Certainly not if we have middle-sized gardens, because there’s rarely a spa...
29-11-2016 21:50
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Are gardening Black Friday deals worth it"
I hadn’t realised there were gardening Black Friday deals. I’ve been vaguely aware of Black Friday as a day when tech and gadgetry gets marked dow...
23-11-2016 21:51
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What is this year’s most charming Christmas theme"
Stylist Liz Bauwens picks a Christmas theme for at least one glossy magazine every year.
She’s worked for the Vogue group, Good Housekeeping, Ideal ...
20-11-2016 21:50
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10 creative ways to improve your winter garden
What does your winter garden look like"
Do you even have a ‘winter garden’ as such"
I find that the garden becomes a bit of a dumping ground betwe...
13-11-2016 21:49
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Take an insider look at the essentials of garden design
Can you really cram the essentials of garden design into one day – let alone one blog post"
I was invited to join the KLC School of Design on their ...
06-11-2016 21:54
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9 fascinating and useful garden design ideas from the top
I’ve just heard some really inspiring garden design ideas from Andy Sturgeon, winner of nearly 40 national and international garden design awards.
...
30-10-2016 21:54
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What you really need to know now about making garden videos
Garden videos don’t feature in the playlists of the UK’s biggest YouTube stars. Although it can only be a matter of time before Zoella gets to â€...
23-10-2016 21:54
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How to avoid a garden shed disaster…
Are you thinking of buying a new garden shed"
Is your current garden shed looking tatty" Do you need more garden shed storage"
We’ve been pondering ...
16-10-2016 21:49
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How to deal with sudden tree death
Sudden tree death is a particular tragedy for small and middle-sized gardens. We only have a few trees and each one is special.
We have a Cotinus cogg...
09-10-2016 22:00
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How to stop worrying and love your easy home-made compost
Is there really such a thing as easy home-made compost"
Don’t you have to get the proportions right" And what about the long and complicated list of...
02-10-2016 21:49
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What you really need to know about evergreen hedges for priv
There are many good reasons for choosing hedges for privacy.
Evergreen hedges provide food and shelter for wildlife all year round. Like trees, theyâ€...
25-09-2016 21:51
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Growing courgettes – my ‘aha!’ moment̷
I watered my growing courgettes, along with the rest of the garden, before going to Spain for four days. I was really surprised by the courgettes when...
18-09-2016 21:49
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Make your garden last longer with dahlias
Dahlias are one of the most valuable plants if you want a long flowering season, but they have been unfashionable until recently.
A typical dahlia bor...
11-09-2016 21:46
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10 inspiring plant ideas for a successful garden
It’s time to start writing down your plant ideas.
As the summer ends, make a note of things you’ve loved in your garden and other people’s. Use ...
04-09-2016 21:44
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The absolutely best way to prune English lavender beautifull
I’ve been making a big mistake when I prune English lavender.
My lavender in 2014. It was planted in 2012. The lavender by the obelisk went woody an...
28-08-2016 21:43
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Fences for privacy – 9 great ideas for garden screenin
Are you making the most of your fences for privacy and screening"
Privacy is a big issue for middle-sized gardens, because high hedges and fences bloc...
21-08-2016 21:45
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The 7 best plants for late summer garden success
How is your late summer garden looking" A friend recently told me she was really enjoying hers.
I’m pretty pleased with ours, too, provided no-one l...
14-08-2016 21:45
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Easy garden party ideas and inspiration
I’ve been working tirelessly on garden party ideas.
I’ve had to go to lots of parties. It’s a hard life, but someone has to do it.
And we’ve ...
07-08-2016 21:50
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Garden furniture to love – 4 best looks
How do you choose garden furniture"
Do you drift in to a garden centre and look for the offers" Or is your garden furniture an important part of your ...
24-07-2016 21:48
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