This year one of my new talks is about the endless possibilities of indoor and outdoor edible plants. To start the garden show year off you can find me at RHS Malvern Spring Festival on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May talking and providing demonstrations about many fun and exciting edibles. There are so many edible plants which can be medicinal, nutritious or just pretty as decorations. We grow and eat a huge amount of edible plants but there are many which are lesser known and used but may have many valuable properties. Plus it’s fun experimenting (safely)! So when I talk about edible plan ..read more

Are you looking for something special for the green-fingered loved ones in your life? Perhaps you know someone who’s planning to pick up a healthy hobby in the new year. Whatever the case, a green-themed gift is a gift of gardening joy. The perks of gardening are clear to see, with 87% of people with access to gardens reporting saying that discovering their greenfingers during the COVID-19 lockdowns benefitted their mental health. Demand for allotments also boomed and has remained strong through 2023, with the number of people waiting for a space almost doubling in the last 12 years. There ar ..read more

As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, for many it's a time when Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) comes back around. Occurring usually during autumn and winter months, SAD can definitely over take over everyday life. There is a powerful remedy right outside – nature and gardening. Nature has an incredible ability to uplift spirits and improve mental health wellbeing. Even on cloudy days, getting some daylight can help regulate our circadian rhythms and boost serotonin levels (a neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of happiness and relaxation). Stepping outside into the ..read more

The obvious changes in the kitchen garden during November move us quickly into the winter months ahead, and the change in daylight hours makes time in the garden on the fewer brighter days very precious indeed. Grab a dose of vitamin D outside whenever you can and in the meantime try to find a balance between wrapping up warm and getting the autumn jobs finished in the garden and staying inside enjoying all of the crops you’ve harvested and stored throughout the year. This time of year can be very beautiful outside, even with the rain. From enjoying the interesting seed-heads of thistles to f ..read more

As we move into October, there’s no denying that autumn is upon us. Temperatures are dropping, the wind is picking up, and the leaves are starting to turn on the trees. While the season for barbecues and sitting outdoors may be over, autumn is a wonderful time for tending the garden. The mild, damp weather makes the soil perfect for planting spring bulbs, and you can prepare your lawn and plants for the dormant months ahead. So, wrap up warm and get started with these essential autumn gardening tasks to ensure your garden blooms better than ever next year. Tidy the space Trimming and pruning ..read more

The beetroot glut has been very real this year on the allotment and they have been heading thick and fast to the kitchen. They are all Beetroot Cylindra this year and some have grown SO big! So I have been looking for different ways to use it in the kitchen. The homegrown flavour just cannot be beaten and I have enjoyed every single bite...but...perhaps not more so than this delicious beetroot cake. I tend to play around with recipes depending on what I have in the cupboard at the time and various ways of swapping out dairy for a substitute such as plant based milk and the experiment went ver ..read more

Biodynamic Gardening You may have heard of ‘moon gardening’ which is one element of biodynamic gardening and it’s truly fascinating! This year I decided that I would follow the lunar cycles to decide when to sow, plant out and later harvest my crops. This is how, many moons ago, humans would have grown food - by the sun and moon and seasons - because there was no time or packet instructions, theories or research. It was more of an intuitive way to grow. Since my spiritual practice has grown over recent years, I felt this next step taking it into the garden was very natural for me. What is bio ..read more

Amid the climate crisis, sustainability should be at the core of every action. If you’re a gardener, you might assume that the work you’re doing is already green – but that’s not necessarily the case. From the plant pots you use to the source of your soil, every part of your garden matters. To help gardeners become even greener, here are five steps towards more sustainable practices for your lawn, plants, and garden visitors. Our top 5 sustainable habits for gardeners Avoid mowing your lawn in May Try not to mow your lawn in May. The Countryfile No Mow May campaign is championing efforts to a ..read more

House plants have become a ,major trend in recent years and it is fantastic to see so many young people showing an interest in plants and nature. It's thought that the main reason for this trend is the fact that many young people find themselves living in apartments or house shares in cities with little or no outdoor space. Additionally, the pandemic caused people to spend a lot more time at home and houseplants are a way to bring some joy and the outdoors in. Some of the Things We’ll Look at This article will look at a few things that should help you to not only choose ideal houseplants but ..read more

With the weather (finally) improving, many people will be heading out into the backyard for the first time in a long time and taking steps to get the garden ready for summer. If your toolshed has been neglected over the winter months, you might want to start by getting this area organised which will make it much easier to crack on with garden prep. So, what are some of the best ways to organise your gardening tools? Tool Rack Many people’s sheds are chaotic because they have large tools like shovels, rakes and spades getting in the way. Instead of having these items strewn across the shed, yo ..read more