To tidy or not to tidy
Victoria Plum That is the question, whether to leave the seed heads of outrageous summer or cut them down.
Up the Garden Path
Culture shock in switch to DIY yoghurt
last week I was given some kefir – a wonder food: if you include it in your diet you can…
Insects may bug us, but try to be less emotional
My perspective has changed – I have not used any poisons, for pests or plants, for years.
The best manure is the farmer’s boot
The most important task is to know what is happening and then take appropriate action as soon as possible.
‘Granny’s bonnet’ is a classic cottage garden plant
I once found wild blue aquilegia growing near Cawston, on land managed by the Forestry Commission.
Resilient gardening: reducing dependence on external inputs
Once plants are established I don’t expect to water them; they need to be resilient and look after themselves.
Plants want to grow, just give them the chance
All the time I notice the effects of microclimates and try to learn from what happens naturally.
How to bring ‘ghost’ ponds back to life
Field ponds and pits used to give a good home to Crucian carp.
Asian hornet invasion threat to honey bees
This foreign invader has a voracious and indiscriminate appetite for our bees and many of our beneficial insects.
Creating harmony in the garden
We can all make a difference because our many small plots collectively amount to thousands of acres.