Quintessentially English, fragrant and sweet, strawberries are delicious eaten fresh from the plant, still warm from the summer sun. Strawberry plants are easy to grow and low-maintenance, so suitable for growers of all abilities. Great for the garden, patio pots, window boxes or hanging baskets, grow a healthy harvest in any size of outside space. When is the best time to plant strawberries? Plant strawberries before or after the growing season, in spring or autumn Your plants will need time to establish before flowering and fruiting. Potted plants should be planted as soon as possible follow ..read more

New to growing veg, and not sure where to start? Or simply faced with too much choice? To give you a helping hand, we’ve put together a selection of tried and tested exceptional performers that will keep you supplied with delicious fresh produce throughout summer and autumn. With this pick of the very best vegetable varieties out there, you’ll be reaping a bumper crop from your plot in no time! Tomato ‘Sungold’ If you can only grow one tomato, make it the exceptional cherry tomato ‘Sungold’. Possibly the sweetest tomato ever bred, every juicy fruit is a burst of intense flavour. If sunshine h ..read more

We all know that growing your own vegetables in your own veg patch or allotment is a rewarding achievement, and you can’t beat the taste of homegrown vegetables straight from plot to plate. Growing your own grafted veg brings a great deal of nutritional benefits, but also environmental and economic advantages over buying from a store. However, when it comes to growing vegetables, sometimes people are unsure of the difference between grafted and non-grafted veg plants. This will point you in the right direction. At Dobies, we provide a range of delicious Grafted Vegetable Plants for you to cho ..read more

Herbs are an essential element for any kitchen gardener. They’re simple to grow in borders, window boxes or decorative containers. As well as bringing charm and fragrance to your garden, they’re useful in the kitchen, and attract wildlife to your garden. There’s a wealth of choice for anyone considering a herb garden. Lavender is famed for its aromatic and therapeutic qualities, and culinary herbs like basil and chives can add to a huge range of dishes. Shrubby herbs like rosemary and thyme have multiple uses, and also add to the structure and character of your garden. Here’s our guide to how ..read more

By Richard Chivers For gardeners, the arrival of March arouses a sensation others savour only at Christmas. Winter is always a long season for us allotmenteers. Dark, cold and when the distraction of the December festivities have passed, it remains as an obstacle in the way of meeting our desire to sow and grow veg. March hosts the start of the Astronomical spring twenty days into the month. This is when the dark finally gives way to the light and we leap in to action with the forward movement of the clocks. Wellies donned and a sack full of seeds in hand. However, it pays dividend to hold bac ..read more

By Richard Chivers February can be a tricky month for an allotment gardener. It’s a month that teases us a little. In meteorological terms it’s the final full month of winter (although it does take up a chunk of March too) but for us growers it can still feel a long way to go until the frosts have passed and we can really get the allotment garden moving. The daylight is lengthening in February and this can make the itch to sow even more unbearable. However, it’s also usually one of the coldest months of the year. Resist the temptation to dive back under the duvet in despair. Life outside is aw ..read more

The native primrose (primula vulgaris) is the prima flower or “first rose” of the year. Even though it is clearly not a rose! This heralds of spring is traditionally pale yellow adding a splash of colour to an otherwise dull February day. Preferring cool semi-shaded areas of the garden these plants are ideal for woodland edges, banks and for growing under hedgerows. In a well-drained yet moist soil primroses will flower year on year and will readily self-seed and naturalise. In 2002 the charity Plantlife led a nationwide campaign to identify and designate a native wildflowe ..read more

Getting outside on chilly winter days can be a challenge even for dedicated gardeners! While December doesn’t offer blooms and bountiful harvests, it’s the perfect time to turn your green fingers to essential garden maintenance. At Dobies, we believe that a well-maintained garden in winter lays the groundwork for a spectacular spring. So, wrap up warm, grab your pruning shears and let’s delve into the December garden to-dos. Plants and Flowers Begin by pruning any climbing roses, carefully tying in any new growth. Lift dahlia tubers and store these treasures in a dry, cool and frost-free spac ..read more

Christmas is coming, so if you’re pondering what presents to give the gardeners in your life, you’ve hit the jackpot! Discover our top picks for the ideal presents for that special someone below or explore our amazing array of Christmas gifts for inspiration. All items marked as ‘gift’ can be ordered until 9am on 19th December to ensure delivery before Christmas. Christmas Gifts will arrive between 4th to 22nd December. Gifts for festive flower lovers Christmas wouldn’t be the same without these customer-favourite plants bringing some seasonal cheer. The bold, trumpet-shaped blooms of Amarylli ..read more

Quintessentially English, fragrant and sweet, strawberries are delicious eaten fresh from the plant, still warm from the summer sun. Strawberry plants are easy to grow and low-maintenance, so suitable for growers of all abilities. Great for the garden, patio pots, window boxes or hanging baskets, grow a healthy harvest in any size of outside space. When is the best time to plant strawberries? Plant strawberries before or after the growing season, in spring or autumn Your plants will need time to establish before flowering and fruiting. Potted plants should be planted as soon as possible follow ..read more