An easy tip for weeding without chemicals
This is a very simple, effective way of weeding without chemicals (and almost without effort). It comes from the Abbey Physic Garden in Faversham. The...
17-02-2019 21:46
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Where is the best place for the vegetable garden"
‘I’d like to know more about where you put your vegetable garden, and the utilitarian areas.’ This was a comment on the Middlesized Garden YouTu...
10-02-2019 21:41
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How to prevent knee or back pain from gardening
Knee or back pain from gardening is probably the most frustrating thing in a garden-lover’s life. You’re longing to get out there – but as soon ...
03-02-2019 21:43
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Garden path materials – the good, the bad and the beau
Garden path materials are usually a big investment, so it may be tempting to go for something cheap. But a beautiful garden path will make such a diff...
27-01-2019 21:46
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Brilliant low-maintenance plants for beautiful gardens
Low-maintenance plants are difficult to kill and look good in your garden for a long time. They don’t require complicated pruning or feeding regimes...
20-01-2019 21:43
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Do you want easy compost or fast compost"
Is your personality better suited to easy compost or fast compost" When I started gardening, I was confused by what appeared to be conflicting advice ...
13-01-2019 21:41
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Brilliant gardening trousers and other useful kit
I had never considered buying gardening trousers. Because I work from home, I garden in short snatches and stolen moments. I didn’t think it would b...
06-01-2019 21:42
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The best gardening books of the year
Treat yourself to one of the best gardening books of the year. Or any one of them would make a wonderful gift. If you’re asking the question ‘why ...
16-12-2018 21:41
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Zero waste Christmas decorations from the garden
Do you fancy joining me in zero waste Christmas decorating this year" My definition of ‘zero waste Christmas decorations’ are things found in the ...
02-12-2018 21:41
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My best autumn trees for small gardens
Autumn trees are the stars in my November garden.If I didn’t have trees, there would be very little to look at. And trees improve air quality and s...
25-11-2018 21:44
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Are you embarrassed by your Latin plant names skills"
Do you avoid using Latin names for plants" Do they seem too complicated or even unnecessary"After all, we can all have beautiful gardens without knowi...
18-11-2018 21:46
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My escape from fear to a healing garden
Many people are now talking openly about their physical and mental challenges and how their garden or gardening has helped them. I want to talk abou...
11-11-2018 21:46
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Do you really need to do a soil test"
‘So how many people in this room have done a soil test"’This question was asked by garden designer Adam Frost at a recent talk at the Painters For...
04-11-2018 21:40
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Autumn garden ideas – what works beautifully and what
This year’s autumn garden has taught me a lot about choosing plants for late-season colour.The leaves of the Robinia frisia (False acacia) and the C...
28-10-2018 21:42
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Accessible garden ideas – how to make a garden everyon
Does an accessible garden only matter to people in wheelchairs" Or to the partially sighted, or to someone with a chronic illness"What about mothers w...
21-10-2018 21:41
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Adam Frost’s top tips for your garden redesign
I asked garden designer Adam Frost about garden redesign. Especially if you have a middlesized garden and have recently moved in.(‘Recently’ in g...
14-10-2018 21:40
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What are the risks when you blog for money"
Do you blog, vlog or podcast for money" And if so, are you doing it legally"Or are you risking your blog being removed from Google listings"Perhaps yo...
07-10-2018 21:38
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Which garden tree is absolutely perfect for you"
How to choose the right garden tree"I think we all dither over this because trees seem like such a big purchase. More like buying a sofa than buying a...
30-09-2018 21:40
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Do you make these September garden mistakes"
I sense that the September garden isn’t anyone’s favourite.Vita Sackville-West abandoned Sissinghurst for the Mediterranean in September. Alan Tit...
23-09-2018 21:41
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The top 2019 garden trends from GLEE
What do the 2019 garden trends mean for your garden"I’ve just visited GLEE, the horticultural trades show in Birmingham. The future is looking good ...
16-09-2018 21:42
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The best professional tips for late summer garden colour
Have you run out of gardening steam by the time you get to the late summer garden"I know I do, which is why it’s so inspiring to visit a top profess...
09-09-2018 21:41
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No dig flower borders – easy, weed-free and brilliant
I’ve always wondered about ‘no dig flower borders’ for annuals, shrubs and perennials.Not that I ever do much digging. But I wondered if the pri...
02-09-2018 21:42
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August in the Middlesized Garden – my garden failures
August in the Middlesized Garden is a bit of a mixed bag.August has been called ‘the Sunday of summer’, and there’s a lazy, idle feeling about t...
12-08-2018 21:38
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30 inspiring ideas for beautiful garden seating
Garden seating is so much more than just a place to sit.A bench can be a focal point, work like a piece of sculpture, can punctuate a hedge or lawn or...
05-08-2018 21:40
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How to create a garden for entertaining
I’ve just visited a dramatically gorgeous garden for entertaining – and it’s also a plant-lover’s heaven.Dan Cooper’s lush and jungly garden...
29-07-2018 21:42
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Why a successful small garden needs a big idea
A small garden needs a big idea.You can let a larger garden evolve – and by ‘larger’ I mean any garden more than about 100ft long or quarter of ...
22-07-2018 21:45
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The best windy garden plants and solutions
I?ve recently been asked about plants and solutions for a windy garden.Sue Marling and Fay Sweet’s Suffolk garden is in a windy area, but it is colo...
15-07-2018 21:39
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How to update your garden on a budget
If you want to update your garden on a budget, RHS Hampton Court Flower Show has lots of good ideas.There are, of course, the top show gardens, where ...
08-07-2018 21:38
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How to upcycle and organise the shed
I’ve been meaning to organise the shed for years.It was cold, messy and full of clutter, with nowhere to put anything. So seeds and tools started to...
01-07-2018 21:40
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How to create a beautiful mini meadow garden
Do you fancy a mini meadow garden"I’ve seen several beautiful strips of wildflower meadow in show gardens this year. And also in friends’ gardens....
24-06-2018 21:42
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15 easy affordable ideas for town gardens
There are 29 town gardens open next weekend (June 24th 10am-5pm) for the Faversham Open Gardens & Garden Market Day. There are also 25+ market stalls ...
17-06-2018 21:44
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The 25 best self-seeding plants to save you time and money
Self-seeding plants are the key to gardening on automatic. The less you do, the more they grow.And they’re free. You buy one packet of seeds or one ...
10-06-2018 21:41
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Escape to the beach with Whitstable Open Gardens…
Whitstable Open Gardens is on next weekend (for the NGS).Ten gardens will be open on 10th June (10am-5pm), which makes it easy to remember.Wildflowers...
03-06-2018 21:40
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How to start a successful garden from scratch
Starting a garden from scratch is both a challenge and a privilege.When Sarah Langton-Lockton bought her 1920s house, the garden was overgrown to the...
27-05-2018 21:40
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The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018 – what it means for y
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show or ‘Chelsea’, as it’s known in the gardening world, is our Fashion Week.Chris Beardshaw’s design for Morgan Stanle...
21-05-2018 21:42
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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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