Valerian

If you want a cheap way to keep the frost off in your greenhouse this winter, then this DIY heater could be the project for you. Made using terracotta pots …

If you are a gardener who spends much time online, you will have seen all the advice telling you to plant your onions in Autumn/Fall. I don’t agree with that, …

Making free fertilisers and feeds out of would-be waste products is one great way to make growing your own fruit, veg & flowers much more affordable. It also reduces waste …

The tomato is a beloved fruit that is synonymous with summer. It is a staple in many dishes, from burgers to salads to homemade pasta sauce. However, as summer ends, …

If you have ever grown mangetout, then you will be well aware of how productive they can be. They grow so quickly that keeping on top of them can be …

Runners are long, thin stems that grow out from the mother plant and produce new plants at their tips. One popular method is to peg down the plantlet at the …

We all want our cucumbers to produce bucket loads of cucumbers all season long, but what can you do to keep them producing? Let’s take a look and then enjoy …

Ripening tomatoes off the vine is essential for many gardeners, particularly here in the UK with our short summers. One important thing to remember when ripening tomatoes off the vine …

Keeping supermarket herbs alive can be challenging; they are not kept in the best conditions. Many people buy herbs from the supermarket with the intention of growing them on at …

Having your own home-grown Christmas Day spuds is a dream for many growers. Who doesn’t want to make their Christmas meal that little bit more special by including some homegrown …

Removing the lower leaves from a tomato plant becoming more and more common. The benefits are numerous, and it is something I do religiously. So lets get into it! Why …

Pruning cucumber plants is important if you want to maximise your harvest. Cucumbers are speedy growers but often want to grow more leaves and less fruit, so pruning is essential. …

Potato berries are a natural part of the potato plant’s life cycle. These small, green fruits resemble cherry tomatoes and contain up to 300 true potato seeds. However, they are …

Have you ever thought of building your own compost bin? Well, hopefully now I’ve sown the seed. In this post, we go through all the major steps involved so you …

Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease affecting many plants, including vegetables, fruits, and flowers. It appears as a white or grey powdery coating on the leaves stems, and flowers …

One of the most common issues you can face when growing tomatoes is when their tomato leaves curl. This can be alarming for those who are new to growing tomatoes, …

Pinching out or topping runner beans is a simple but important job. Keep reading to learn more about taking the growth point out of climbing beans. Why Pinch Out Runner …

Building a timber greenhouse is a low-cost alternative to buying a pre-made one. You can build the greenhouse to any size so it fits your plot perfectly. The simple yet …

Comfrey tea is a simple-to-make plant superfood. If you haven’t made your own rocket fuel yet, then here is how I make mine. What You Need Making The Tea Comfrey …

We all know how productive courgettes can be, and after giving your 12th one to a neighbour, you will need to devise a creative way to use them. So here …

Are your tomatoes refusing to budge? Staying green till the end of days? There is one little trick you can do to get them to turn a delicious red. Throw …

Having a thermometer in your greenhouse is often overlooked, but in my opinion, a crucial piece of gardening equipment. Knowing how hot or cold your greenhouse is and the minimum …

Got some cobs forming, but not sure if they are ready yet or not. Worry not; there are a few simple things you can do to find out if your …

Feeding peppers is one way to get bigger harvests, but when and what should you feed them? Let me help you out! NPK Balance Your pepper plants will need different …

If you have grown raspberries for a few years, you will already know that they have a habit of popping up int he worst places. And when they do, they …

Have you found yourself with a bit of a raspberry glut at the moment? I know I certainly have, I recently talked about freezing them on Facebook, but another great …

If your tomatoes have grown so much that they are reaching the ceiling of your greenhouse, then you have two options, top them or create more room – let’s have …

As the summer months get going, many people wonder what they can sow. What will be ready in time from a summer sowing? Will they even germinate in the heat? …

The cheapest way to expand your blueberry collection is by taking cuttings off your existing plants. Many people think taking cuttings is more of a winter job, but did you …

Before I start, I would like to thank Alec and his promotional team for sending me a copy of this book to review. There were no obligations that came with …

Thinning or harvesting your carrots and getting loads of green tops left over? Well, don’t chuck them away; they are actually delicious when cooked properly. Find out how I cook …

This is one of those gardening things that some people do while others will have never even heard of. Cutting your seed potatoes in half to get extra seed potatoes. …

You may hear people talk about topping tomatoes, but what is this? Topping the plant is when you remove the growing tip late in the season. You simply snip the …

Having a proper succession in your veg garden can help fill gaps between crops and ensure you have something ready to eat at all times. But what can you plant …

Horsetail, or marestail, is a common problem every gardener will encounter. It is an instantly recognisable weed and one that frightens a lot of gardeners. My advice is simple, treat …

Tomato plants require consistent watering for healthy growth and maximum yield. Paying attention to soil moisture and stages of growth ensures your tomato plants receive the right amount of water …

Garlic braids can be beautiful things and something I have always wanted to do. But as my lacklustre attempts at braiding my daughter’s hair show, it is not something I …

Flea beetles are small, shiny, and dark-coloured beetles that can be a major problem. They are named for their ability to jump like fleas when disturbed. These pests can damage …

Have you ever tried growing spring onions in buckets? If not, then you should! And here’s how you can go about it. I like to use these cheap builders buckets …

We all know that we need to remove tomato suckers as part of routine tomato pruning. But did you know that you can then grow these suckers to get extra …

If you prune your basil plant correctly you will end up with a huge bushy plant that gives you lots of leaves and never goes to flower. But how do …

Did you know that giving your tomato flowers a good tickle can lead to higher yields? Here’s how. Increase Fruit Production Hand-pollinating tomato flowers can significantly increase fruit production. Tomato …

Clematis blooms can be gorgeous, and if you are currently basking in their glory, then there will be one question on your mind; how do I keep them flowering? Well, …

With all root crops, it can be a struggle to know when they are truly ready, and potatoes are no expectation to this. How do you know whether your spuds …

Your garlic has been in the ground since last autumn, and you are desperate to harvest it. I mean, it’s been growing long enough now, hasn’t it?! But how do …

Everyone knows they should prune their tomatoes and raspberries, but not everyone knows about pruning brassicas, but there are good reasons why you should. Let’s get into it! Why Prune …

Bolting refers to the sudden production of flowers in a vegetable plant. This process leads to the formation of seeds, which eventually causes the desired growth of the vegetable to …

Have you noticed your potatoes starting to flower? If so, then you need to remove them, let me explain. Potato Flowers Potato flowers are beautiful; there is no getting away …

Garlic scapes are a real delicacy; if you have never tried them before, then I implore you to give them a go. And what’s more, they are simply a free …

Feeding tomatoes can be a tricky subject, particularly for beginner gardeners. When do you feed? What do you feed with? And when should you stop? This is just a small …