Search - Articles

will have turned into fine, dark leaf mould. Use it as a seed-sowing medium or mixed with equal parts of fine garden compost, loam and sharp sand for potting.Before you build your leaf heap, choose a position that's out of sight but easy to get at. It should

I suppose that the first week of September counts as late summer which is, I think, one of the most exciting times in our gardens. The classic English garden is very biased towards midsummer. The June garden is overflowing with full

with roast vegetables, especially tomatoes. Use purple shiso (or perilla) in stir-fries, add to salads or - in a similar way to vine leaves - stuff with pine nuts and chive flowers. Place the pot in partial shade - avoid full sun, as the leafy herbs

raspberries, and have good disease resistance.TayberriesPlant both summer- and autumn-fruiting canes in autumn, although you can delay planting the latter until as late as March.When to plant your canesPlant canes a sheltered spot in sun or light shade. It

Jekka McVicar's 10 herbs for wildlifeJekka McVicar's organic herb garden achieved a gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show 2009. We caught up with her at the show to discover her top 10 herbs for attracting wildlife.Herbs have been used for culinary

and sunny spot, or with pretty campanulas spilling out of the pockets, as here, for a cottage garden in partial shade.Roll of lead, 45cm x 300cm, from any builder's merchantMarine plywood, 30cm x 85cm18 clout nails (large-headed, galvanised nails)3 pots

and crocus I didn’t realise my garden didn’t get any sun until late-May, so the alliums flopped over (they can develop weak stems and flop if grown in shade) and the crocus flowers didn’t open. At least this year I know the alliums will flop so I can plant

parsley and sorrel will sulk if the compost dries out in hot sun, so place the container in partial shade. Feed weekly with seaweed extract until early autumn, to encourage leaf production, and to keep plants sweet and succulent.Cut off the faded flower

flavour. Lemon thyme is also a favourite for poultry - add a handful to the cavity with half an onion, cook and let the aromas fill your kitchen.Stand the pot in partial shade and feed weekly with seaweed extract, until early autumn. Deadhead the sage

When the first hard frost struck in my garden at the end of October, it was the kiss of death for so much of the long-lasting summer colour. Busy Lizzies crumpled instantly, summer bedding packed up shop, and leaves started falling from the trees