My family regard my enthusiasm for composting with some amusement. They’d probably say, if pressed, that it’s verging on an obsession! But here’s the thing. Composting is a fascinating subject and so much more interesting than just…
Getting humidity right for houseplants is always going to be something of a compromise. Many of our most popular houseplants were originally tropical rainforest or jungle plants and their preference is for very high levels of humidity…
When is it too late to plant pumpkin seeds? And what can go wrong if you leave planting pumpkins until the last minute? Over the years I’ve started pumpkins seeds early, mid-season, and recklessly late. Sowing pumpkins…
The first time I needed to know how to get rid of rhubarb, I went about it all wrong. And that rhubarb plant was still haunting me the following summer, despite the fact I was trying to…
Tomato pruning mistakes are easily made, and they can dramatically affect the number of ripe tomatoes you get to harvest later in the season. Pruning tomatoes correctly is straightforward and only takes a few seconds per plant,…
Growing Japanese maple in pots is a great way to overcome having the wrong soil type, or an unfavorable climate for these graceful trees. There are lots of small and dwarf Japanese maples that are suitable for…
The biggest benefit of growing hostas in a pot or container of some sort, is reduction in slug damage. Hostas are extremely attractive to slugs and unless you live in a fairly dry zone, growing hostas means…
Mealy tomatoes are a massive disappointment. Last year I grew a tomato variety which is famous for being reliable and productive in my region for the first time. I waited eagerly for the fruit, which were basically…
Home grown cucumbers taste completely different to those you buy in the grocery store, and they’re one of my favorite crops to grow. They’re a pretty easy crop to grow, and 100% worth the effort. You can…
Tomatoes are among the most popular grow-your-own crops. In fact the aroma of tomato leaves in the sunshine is so nostalgic and evocative for so many of us that you can even buy candles and room sprays…
