Mowing the lawn in April
Embracing a minimalist approach to lawn maintenance is not just a labour-saving choice, but a profound gift to the local ecosystem. While traditional gardening often prioritises a manicured aesthetic, allowing grass to grow long creates a rich sanctuary for a…
Do this if you want to tidy up spent bulbs
It is naturally tempting to clear away the messy, yellowing leaves of bulbs once their blossoms have faded, but rushing to tidy up can significantly weaken the plant. The foliage needs to remain intact so it can channel energy back…
What to do in April
April is the month when the garden shifts into high gear, transforming from early awakening to a vibrant explosion of colour and life. As the soil truly warms and tulips take center stage, the priority shifts from gentle encouragement to…
First tidy up of the season
It’s the middle of March, and the relentless downpour of the very British weather has finally ceased and actually provided a weekend of genuine, unadulterated sunshine—it was beautiful—the sort of light that makes you think, “Yes, I shall go forth…
The flamingo incident
My ‘Flamingo’ Willow is, quite frankly, a piece of horticultural flamboyance that has simply run out of the jazz. For eighteen years, it has sat in that raised border, doing its job, looking pink and white, and generally being a…
Chitting seed potatoes
When March arrives, one of the most satisfying rituals for any kitchen gardener is getting the seed potatoes ready through a process called “chitting.” Essentially, this means encouraging the tubers to sprout before they ever come into contact with the…
Planting dahlia tubers in pots
As we move into March, it is time to wake up your dahlias and get them ready for the growing season. After months in winter storage, the first job is to tip them out and give them a proper check…
Give winter-flowering heathers a haircut
As the last of the winter-flowering heathers begin to fade this March, it is the perfect time to step in with the shears. These resilient little plants have been a lifeline of colour through the darkest months, but if left…
Planting bare root shrubs
While it is still a bit early in March to risk putting tender plants out into the garden, it is actually the perfect window for planting woody shrubs. Getting these plants into the ground now allows the root systems to…
Divide snowdrops in March
March is the prime window for moving snowdrops “in the green,” a technique that remains the most reliable method for establishing these winter gems in your garden. Unlike many other bulbs that are planted while dormant and dry in autumn,…