Through the Garden Gates
London's Hidden City Gardens
You may have walked past it but behind the gates is a garden of delights
Jan Etherington
I'm a comedy writer. My long-running Radio 4 series, Conversations From A Long Marriage, stars Joanna Lumley. I live on the Suffolk coast and sea swim every day. My late husband was the gardener. Now, I'm trying to create a beautiful garden.
Autobiography
Meet The Land Girl Who Transformed My Neglected Garden
Unlock the secrets of thriving gardens and heartfelt friendship as the mysterious ‘Land Girl’ is revealed at last—see her story and stunning sanctuary inside.
Plantspeople
Celebrating The Miss Trunchbull of Gardening
It's International Women's Day, and I've discovered a gardening pioneer who started a Girls' School for Gardening
Bulbs
Are Takeaway Plant Kits the Ready Meals of Gardening?
Do 'proper' gardeners see my ‘takeaway plant kit’ in the same way as ‘proper' cooks view ready meals?
Winter
This Year I'm Playing To My Strengths - But Do I Have Any?
Losing my husband last year led to a New Year 'resolutionary' re-think. No longer a Jan Of All Trades, I'm ditching houseplants, fruit and veg and just growing plants and flowers that make me happy.
Autobiography
Finding solace in the Greenwood, After My Sad Loss
I knew this Christmas would be quiet but I didn't know I would spend it with a broken heart. My husband of 41 years, a passionate gardener, died peacefully last month, but I will visit him in a natural burial ground, where he will rest in peace.
Christmas
Is This the Way to Amaryllis? And Other Christmas Disasters
I am convinced that the perfect Christmas wreath is within twining distance - but it only takes a door slam and a prostrate robin to prove me wrong
Through the Garden Gates
The Secret Suffolk Tradescant Garden
Our Suffolk coastal village is packed with celebrities but a chance conversation with a neighbour revealed a true superstar - the father of modern gardening - John Tradescant the Elder - created a garden up the road from me. I went to take a look.
Through the Garden Gates
Running Away to the Scilly Isles - On My Care-Giver's Break
The Scilly Isles was my dream destination. It's a long way from my home in Suffolk but I needed a carer's break, from looking after my dear husband. I found gin-clear swimming beaches -and discovered the magical, subtropical Tresco Abbey Gardens.
Flowers
How Now Brown Flower? What's New in Gardeners' World?
As a learner gardener, I'm keen to create a chic, on-trend garden. But what's in and what's been weeded out, according to the heralds of horticulture? Could I become a trendsetter - by accident?
Flowers
Roses all the Way, But None of Them From Here
Could Valentine's Day fall at a less inconvenient time of year for gardeners? The demand for red roses cannot be met in our winter gardens. Would St Valentine - and more importantly, our loved one - mind if we chose a more seasonally available posy?