Shrubs are usually among the largest plants in our yards and gardens, but it’s still easy to underestimate their potential for adding privacy, structure and beauty to an outdoor space. In fact, the shrubs you choose and…
Protecting container plants from frost is vital in some regions, if you want your cold tender plants to survive until spring. There are several ways of going about it, depending on the size of the container and…
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…
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…
I have had a tumultuous history with growing carrots. I’ve tried a lot of times, and some years have been more productive than others (to put it mildly). But, at least I’ve picked up a lot of…
Cilantro isn’t to everyone’s taste, but I love it! As well as using the fresh leaves and stems in summer for salads and salsas, I collect its seeds at the end of the year to use in…
I love cooking with herbs of all kinds, and I’m obsessed with their power to transform any dish from run of the mill and mundane into special and worth savoring. But, if there’s one herb I could…
Basil is a herb that loves long, sunny days and warm weather, so for me, sowing basil seeds is also an exciting milestone that means summer is just around the corner! Basil is one of the easiest…
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. I like…
For me (and most growers I expect) the thrill of a greenhouse is being able to grow vegetables which wouldn’t normally survive in my climate. Once I mastered tomatoes and cucumbers, I couldn’t wait to experiment with…
