My Journal
Preparing your garden for winter
As the days start to draw in, autumn could be mistaken for a time where you can relax and put your feet up in the garden. But not so fast! Just as we might prepare for the colder, darker months by getting the heating on, lighting a candle or two and settling in front...
Planting for autumn colour
There's a hint of wistfulness in the air for me as the seasons change, days get shorter and the weather starts to turn. Where has summer gone?! On the other hand, there's a majesty about autumn colours that's really easy and rewarding to bring into your garden. Seeing...
The best screening plants for garden privacy
My readers often ask how to use planting in their gardens to create privacy, block an unsightly view or cushion noise pollution from nearby roads or train tracks. Whether you're keen to forget about a not-so-attractive vista at the end of your garden, create a private...
Your post-holiday garden care guide
We're all going on a summer holiday! Well, if we're lucky that is. After the year or so we've had, most of us are more in need of a holiday than ever before. Many of us have recently had plenty of time at home to carefully tend the garden, so the thought of leaving it...
A guide to summer pruning
When you're busy enjoying the summertime in your garden, it can be easy to overlook tasks like summer pruning. Pruning is for when plants are dormant in winter, right? Well... not quite. Summer pruning is essential to keep your plants strong, healthy, in good shape...
The best crops to grow in small spaces
You just can't beat the taste and satisfaction levels of home-grown produce. If you have a smaller garden, a paved yard or even a balcony, you may feel that you don't have enough space to grow your own fruit and veg. However, there are lots of great fruit and...
My top low-maintenance gardening hacks
There's no denying that maintaining a garden is a commitment if you want it to look great. However, there are lots of ways to manage your garden that will keep things simple and no-fuss, leaving you all the more time to sit back and enjoy your surroundings. In this...
Eco-friendly pest control for your garden
There's nothing more frustrating to the committed gardener than seeing a prized shrub munched by bugs, or tender new seedlings being leeched by aphids. Keeping on top of pests is key to a successful garden, but I prefer to take a green, eco-friendly approach to pest...
My favourite tropical garden plants
One of my most commonly-asked questions is about great tropical garden plants to bring drama and colour to clients' gardens. Though there's a lot to be said for a classic English country garden planting scheme, I'm a big fan of using bold tropical plants in the garden...
Pet safe plants for your garden
As a passionate gardener as well as an avid dog lover, I'm always keen to make sure I use pet-safe plants in my own garden and my clients' too. I'm well aware of the mischief our pets can get up to when unsupervised - most of the time it's (hopefully) relatively...