Welcome to Book Month
In a world where your phone wants your attention and AI can tell you anything at the touch of a button, we are embracing books. James Alexander-Sinclair welcomes you to the Garden Collective's inaugural Book Month.
James Alexander-Sinclair
Garden Designer, writer, talker, RHS Vice President and skipper of the light fandango.
Apples
Appley dappley
Every apple you have ever eaten descends from a single tree in the mountains of Kazakhstan. James Alexander-Sinclair chases apples from there to Babylon, to Johnny Appleseed's cider orchards, to the chemically suspended blandness of today's supermarket shelf.
Bulbs
Going underground: a nudge
This is your friendly reminder that this is the optimal moment to order your spring bulbs. In case you think that we always get it right, here are five of our best bulb tales.
Dogs
The Landscaper's Dog
Dogs and gardens. A classic pairing. James is looking back at the highs and lows of a life with a landscaping dog. London in the 80s, and a black and white mongrel dog, in a scarlet bandana.
Not enough to wet a midge
James Alexander-Sinclair has been judging show gardens in the baking heat at sandy Sandringham and talking to the BBC about how to manage the hosepipe ban, so it's fitting that his three picks for the week help us (and the trees) cope with a hot present and, potentially, an even hotter future.
Ten steps to horticultural heaven (plus a bonus eleventh)
In order to try and nurse you along the road to blissful gardening here are ten common pitfalls and how to avoid them. Life would be so dull without a little adversity.
Wildlife
Why drop a beaver from a plane?
From show gardens to skydiving, how beavers went from hats to heroes.
Lawn
To Mow.... or not to Mow? That is the question...
No Mow May or perfectly striped lawns? Gardeners debate whether to embrace wild, buzzing meadows or keep the grass neat—find out which side makes the most sense for your patch!
Chelsea Flower Show
From Dayglo Socks to Chelsea: The Hi-Viz Revolution
How RHS Chelsea moved from Fairisle cardigans to neon vest
Garden history
The Twisted History of Barbed Wire
From tranquil heathland to battlefields—a closer look at the humble fence reveals a tale of invention, conflict, and unintended consequences.
Wildlife
Rook around the clock tonight
The mischievous charm and antics of rooks: where birdwatching meets folklore and sticks are very important
Garden history
When Chainsaws Nearly Ended Civilisation
From whirring chainsaws to war-ready platoons, learn how a simple gardening task almost triggered World War III in the most dramatic tree surgery ever attempted.