Early summer gardening checklist
Here is an early summer gardening checklist, followed by suggestions on how you can make this as easy as possible. Weed paths and borders Decide where...
21-05-2022 21:58
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How to connect your indoor and outdoor space successfully
How to connect your indoor and outdoor space - use colour, materials and plants to create a seamless link between your house and garden
The post How t...
15-05-2022 22:12
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Notes for your garden 2022 – 3 tips from the past to r
Notes for your garden 2022 is a list of garden plants and ideas that I’ve spotted while visiting gardens recently. They’re a somewhat mixed bag of...
14-05-2022 21:57
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How to group pots – plus practical tips for fabulous c
How to group pots to create a beautiful \'border\' - you can switch it round, take it with you and have maximum colour every season
The post How to gr...
30-04-2022 21:52
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Answers to the 5 top spring gardening questions
Here are answers to the 5 most common spring gardening questions. I prefer not to specify a month, because the trouble with ‘Gardening tips for Apri...
24-04-2022 21:57
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NEW PRODUCT REVIEWS
Getting people growing microgreens Tipi wheelbarrow handles Felco secateur repair service Stephanie Mahon pruning book
The post NEW PRODUCT REVIEWS ap...
22-04-2022 21:52
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5 easy wildlife garden tips – they’ll really mak
Easy wildlife garden tips - simple things you can do that will really make a difference - and your garden will look more beautiful, too
The post 5 eas...
16-04-2022 22:06
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Naturalistic planting design – how to get it right in
Naturalistic planting design is based on choosing plants that grow well in your area, then repeating them to create a natural rhythm. Because the plan...
09-04-2022 21:53
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Cottage garden mashup – how to adapt English cottage s
A cottage garden mashup means taking the elements of English cottage garden style and mixing it with your own local plants to create a garden that’s...
02-04-2022 21:54
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5 top perennials you may not have thought of
When I was asked to name 5 top perennials by Rachel of the YouTube channel Gardening at Douenza, I decided they must be long-flowering and easy to gro...
24-03-2022 21:54
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Don’t hide an ugly shed! Make it look beautiful instea
Customers often ask plant grower Stephen Ryan for a ‘fast-growing climber to hide an ugly shed.’ His reply is: ‘You don’t need to have an ugly...
19-03-2022 21:48
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8 important things to consider when renovating a larger gard
People often ask me what to do with a larger garden, especially if they’ve recently moved in and inherited someone else’s garden. And although thi...
12-03-2022 21:55
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The really easy guide to pruning hydrangeas
Confused by contradictory advice on how and when to prune hydrangeas" This post makes it easy to achieve beautiful blooms year after year.
The post Th...
19-02-2022 22:17
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Controlling slugs and snails – start NOW for summer su
How do you stop your plants from being eaten by slugs and snails" Here on the Middlesized Garden, I often interview top professional gardeners to find...
12-02-2022 21:48
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Easy spring shed tidy up – what to keep and what to th
It’s time for the potting shed tidy up. While I’m sorting the tools and accessories, I’ll picking out which ones I want to replace or repair and...
05-02-2022 21:49
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Top meadow lawn mistakes – and how to avoid them
We’ve made a few meadow lawn mistakes. We tried to create two mini meadow lawn patches. Last year, we stopped mowing two squares of meadow lawn in o...
29-01-2022 21:51
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Late winter gardening jobs – what to do and what not t
Save time and effort in the garden! What to do in the garden as winter comes to an end - plus the \'gardening jobs\' that you may not have to do after...
22-01-2022 21:48
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How to plant a tree – and what to do when a tree is pl
The way you plant a tree makes a huge difference to whether it will survive. A badly planted tree won’t necessarily fail in the first year, accordin...
15-01-2022 22:14
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Your year in gardening jobs – what’s new and whe
Here are the key gardening jobs for the gardening year, with up to date expert advice on the best way to do them. On the Middlesized Garden I often in...
09-01-2022 21:47
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12 top plants for a brilliant winter container garden displa
A winter container garden display can give the garden such a lift. You can enjoy winter pots in the front garden every time you come home. And just a ...
11-12-2021 21:50
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Indoor outdoor plants: 9 garden plants that also thrive as h
Indoor outdoor plants are plants you can grow in winter as house plants, then move out onto your terrace or garden when the warmer weather comes. If y...
05-12-2021 21:52
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Review of Carbon Gold’s Biochar composts and soil impr
I started thinking about garden soil this week when a friend complained to me about her gardener. She’d just had a large bundle of bare root roses d...
27-11-2021 21:53
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Best trees for small gardens – expert advice and new i
When you’re choosing trees for small gardens, always try to find out what they will look like in 5-10 years time. That’s advice from Jamie Butterw...
14-11-2021 21:51
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Better autumn colours in your garden – the three thing
How to make the most of autumn colours in your garden by choosing the right plants and planting them in the right place.
The post Better autumn colou...
31-10-2021 21:50
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How to design a garden
How do you design a garden if you’re not a garden designer" Not only do you want the most beautiful garden possible, but you also need to avoid maki...
23-10-2021 21:50
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A clever evergreen garden with a touch of grandeur
Tips and ideas from an evergreen garden which looks good all year round. Easy-care ideas for hedges, topiary, evergreen borders and ornaments.
The pos...
16-10-2021 21:53
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The new jungle garden – how to create a lush, contempo
The jungle garden look takes the contemporary, lush layers of today’s houseplant-filled interiors out into the garden. That’s according to a new b...
09-10-2021 21:51
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Sowing seeds – expert tips for more flowers and better
Sowing seeds in autumn can give you stronger, healthier plants and earlier flowers. But it’s not right for all seeds. Or, indeed, for all gardeners!...
02-10-2021 21:50
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Keep dahlias free of earwigs, slugs and snails without chemi
How to prevent slugs, snails and earwigs from destroying your dahlias without using chemicals. These ways are easier too.
The post Keep dahlias free o...
18-09-2021 21:49
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How to choose the best plants for dry shade
It can be difficult to choose plants for dry shade. I have a small triangular area between two paths, where I had hoped to grow rhubarb. It took me ye...
11-09-2021 21:54
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What you need to know to create an outstanding perennial bor
I’ve asked top gardeners Steve Edney and Louise Dowle for their tips on how to create an outstanding perennial border. They’ve just created one of...
04-09-2021 21:51
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10 of the best new garden ideas from BBC Gardeners World Liv
The garden shows are one of the best places to pick up new garden ideas. And BBC Gardeners World Live in Birmingham really focusses on encouraging tho...
28-08-2021 21:55
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5 resilient flowers that will thrive in the most difficult s
Resilient flowers are an essential part of a successful garden. However carefully you choose the right plants for your weather, soil or zone, there’...
14-08-2021 21:54
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Claus Dalby on how to create a wonderful display with dahlia
Gardener, photographer and author Claus Dalby has a display of dahlias in pots that look like a glorious herbaceous border. There must be several hun...
07-08-2021 21:52
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5 top garden design tips – and how to avoid two common
Garden design tips to transform your outdoor space. Plus avoid the two common garden layout mistakes that most amateurs make!
The post 5 top garden d...
31-07-2021 21:56
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How to create a beautiful and unusual garden with a sense of
I’ve just visited a garden with a superb sense of place. But what is ‘sense of place’ in a garden" And how can it direct the design of your gard...
17-07-2021 21:57
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12 very attractive contemporary garden ideas from RHS Hampto
One of the main reasons for visiting a show like the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival is to discover the best contemporary garden ideas. They ...
10-07-2021 21:56
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6 favourite perennial flowers that bloom all summer
If you can plant perennial flowers that bloom all summer, you’ll always have a beautiful border. Of course, we all want what Tom Brown of West Dean ...
03-07-2021 21:57
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How to tweak your summer flower colour to perfection
Midsummer is a good time to tweak your flower colour. The extra steps you take now will keep your border looking good throughout the summer and into a...
26-06-2021 21:54
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How to create stunning garden borders – 7 essential ti
Expert tips for planning and planting beautiful garden borders from award-winning head gardener Tom Brown of West Dean Gardens.
The post How to create...
12-06-2021 21:57
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Early summer garden tips
One of the odd things about early summer is that I always have to start thinking about what I should take out of my garden rather than what I need...
...
05-06-2021 21:54
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Perennials made simple – how to choose and grow the be
Perennials are the main flowering element of a successful mixed border. So I went to one of the UK’s premier perennial plant nurseries, Hardy’s Co...
29-05-2021 22:06
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10 low maintenance plants for an instant – but long-la
I’ve been finding out about the ultimate low maintenance plants for an instant – yet long-lasting garden. And holiday homes really need easy-care ...
22-05-2021 21:56
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How to create a beautiful and welcoming front garden
What to consider when creating a beautiful front garden - the architecture of your home, your gate, your colour scheme and low maintenance!
The post H...
15-05-2021 22:01
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What you need to know about edible flowers
Edible flowers have been one of the surprise successes of the last few years. However, many of us are suspicious of the idea of eating flowers, but th...
08-05-2021 22:05
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Feeling overwhelmed by your garden" 11 easy, practical
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by your garden, especially in late spring when plants and weeds are bursting into growth. The gardening to-do list at ...
01-05-2021 22:00
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How to choose plants for shade – for year round garden
If you’re buying plants for shade, firstly think about what kind of shade you have in your garden. At least half your garden – wherever you live â...
24-04-2021 21:59
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How to plant and grow tulips for a stunning display
If you want to knock everyone’s socks off in spring, then you have to grow tulips. Tulips can do everything from exquisite good taste to a riot of c...
17-04-2021 21:57
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Daffodils – the star of the show or the Cinderella of
Do we take daffodils for granted" My Twitter feed is packed with people posting images of snowdrops in February. They’re beautiful. Snowdrops are so...
03-04-2021 21:59
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How to save money on your gardening
Where should you save money on your gardening and when should you spend" Gardening isn’t an expensive hobby, but everything we do costs something. N...
27-03-2021 21:57
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What are the basics of gardening that everyone needs to know
The basics of gardening in an easy-to-understand list - find out what you need to know to create a beautiful garden that\'s right for you.
The post Wh...
20-03-2021 21:58
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10 practical and beautiful outdoor seating ideas
Outdoor seating ideas for your garden - how to incorporate attractive garden seating into your design, including DIY and recycled ideas.
The post 10 p...
13-03-2021 21:57
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3 very simple things you can do to create an eco friendly ga
How to create a more eco friendly garden. 3 easy, practical tips from Sally Nex, author of How to Garden The Low Carbon Way. They\'ll save you time an...
06-03-2021 21:53
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My favourite garden tools and products for 2021
The right garden tools and products make gardening so much easier and more comfortable. We’ve suffered from gloves that don’t fit, garden forks th...
27-02-2021 21:54
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The really simple guide to making your own garden compost
Making your own garden compost is really easy. And it’s fabulously good for your garden plants. Professional gardeners call it ‘garden gold.’ Pl...
20-02-2021 21:51
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Sensible answers to the top ‘is it too late to’
When is it too late to prune fruit trees, mow the lawn, plant spring bulbs and trim lavender" Find out the answer from experts.
The post Sensible answ...
12-02-2021 21:56
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How to choose a garden style – 12 beautiful garden des
How to pick the right garden style for your garden. Choose from the top 12 garden design ideas to find the one that\'s right for your garden.
The post...
07-02-2021 21:55
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5 top garden tips for guaranteed gardening success…
The 5 top garden tips you need to know, whatever your climate. Whether you\'re new to gardening or just want some inspiration, these will help you!
Th...
30-01-2021 21:57
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10 shady garden corner ideas to love – and two to avoi
How to make a shady garden corner work for your garden. Find out the pros and cons of using the space for a shed, greenhouse, pergola or more.
The pos...
24-01-2021 21:55
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Online garden talks – the new way to enjoy gardening
Online garden talks are an enjoyable and informative way to discover the expertise of top gardening experts. And you can ask questions. They are the 2...
13-01-2021 21:58
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How to plan a truly successful flower border
The start of the year is a good time to plan a flower border. So I’ve asked three brilliant garden designers – Lee Burkill of Garden Ninja, Jack W...
10-01-2021 21:59
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Christmas table decorations from the garden – quick, e
I’ve just been doing two Christmas table decorations with garden designer and baking star Jane Beedle. Created from foraged seed heads and garden gr...
06-12-2020 21:55
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Winter pots – really useful tips!
Did you know that planting winter pots is a little different from planting summer pots" And that’s not just because the plants need to be winter-har...
29-11-2020 21:55
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Gardening gifts for Christmas 2020 for around £30 or less
Christmas 2020 has two strong themes. One is online shopping and the other is supporting local businesses. And this is also a year when many people ha...
22-11-2020 21:58
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Wildlife friendly garden tips
A wildlife friendly garden is an important part of sustainable living today. Urban gardens have a real part to play. I’ve been talking to Fern Alder...
16-11-2020 21:58
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Six top shrubs for late season colour
Six easy-to-grow and brilliantly beautiful shrubs for late season colour, recommended by head gardener Tom Coward of Gravetye Manor Hotel.
The post S...
01-11-2020 21:59
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How to choose and plant a garden tree for brilliant autumn c
Confused by the huge choice of small garden trees for autumn colour" Head gardener Stephen Herrington, of Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, explains how to...
25-10-2020 21:58
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The three best alternatives to box for simple topiary
There are only a few good alternatives to box (English boxwood or Buxus sempervirens) for topiary. But I have just visited a delightful private garden...
18-10-2020 22:06
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Your autumn gardening strategy
Autumn gardening, these days, starts with planting next summer’s perennials, trees and shrubs. I’ve interviewed some wonderful head gardeners this...
11-10-2020 21:59
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Where to place sculpture and garden ornaments
Garden ornaments ? garden art, sculpture and decorations ? can lift your garden to a whole new level. They make your garden look good in all seasons, ...
04-10-2020 21:59
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Two fascinating new books about gardens everyone should read
American Gardens by Monty Don and Royal Gardens of the World by Mark Lane cover some of the most influential gardens in the world. They place gardenin...
24-09-2020 21:55
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5 ways to use garden planters (plus potscaping tips)
As I was photographing Diane and Robbie Perry’s garden in Kent, I admired the way they use garden planters to add punctuation and colour. They’ve ...
20-09-2020 22:03
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What do you do with garden waste"
What to do with garden waste - bags, incinerator, composting and garden shredders. Plus tips on choosing and using the best garden shredder.
The post ...
06-09-2020 21:57
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How to grow and pick alstroemerias for endless flowers
Alstroemerias are very easy to grow. They flower from May to November in a UK garden and even longer in some other countries. ‘They’ll flower all ...
30-08-2020 22:40
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What to plant in a coastal garden…
Coastal garden plants are beautiful, easy-care and very resilient. If your garden is dry or windy and has poor soil, then plants which grow naturally ...
23-08-2020 22:01
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Easy budget makeover – from garage to garden room
Francine Raymond, Daily Telegraph gardening writer and author, recently turned her garage into a stylish garden room and potting shed. And she did it ...
16-08-2020 22:07
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How do you make a dry garden"
The UK’s most famous dry garden is at the Beth Chatto gardens in Essex. So I visited to talk to head gardener, Asa Gregers-Warg, about how to make a...
09-08-2020 21:59
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How to make a herbaceous border look amazing
A herbaceous border is at the heart of most grand gardens. In theory, if you want your borders to look continuously beautiful from May to October, you...
02-08-2020 21:52
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North facing garden tips – how to make the most of you
I?ve just visited a narrow north facing garden with some charming thin garden ideas and a wildlife friendly focus. It?s also on a slope ? so the garde...
26-07-2020 21:56
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