The Afterlife of Turf: Why We Must Break Up with the Instant Lawn
Rethinking the reflex of rolled grass in new build gardens and choosing living soil over instant green
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Saying It With Flowers: But Which Ones?
February 14 is a day to love and loathe in equal measure for florists, but whoever you choose to send flowers to, it's time to think beyond a stiff-stemmed red rose for Valentine's Day.
Essays
What a Wonderful World
The freedom of being able to write about what you want seems great, until you sit down to start. This may well sound like some sort of personal statement, but bear with me and hopefully all will come clear after the rain has cleared!!
Essays
Cracking the Plant Code: A Botanical Conundrum
Finding the perfect plants for a far-from-perfect spot is proving to be a conundrum of sorts. One that shouldn't be that difficult, but it is challenging everything I thought I knew about growing plants.
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Garden Therapy, or The Psychology of Gardening
Lift the lid on the highs and the lows of the unique relationship between gardeners and their gardens.
Essays
The Original Croconut
Explore the ephemeral beauty of Crocus tommasinianus and its offspring as they enliven the bright days of early spring.
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Go Ahead and Double Dig - You Have My Support
Gardening isn’t about choosing sides, it’s about nurturing life. For too long, I’ve been caught up in the battle between different methods, forgetting that the real victory lies in in something far more important than proving a point.
Essays
In the Pink: Confessions of a Garden Grump
Pink is a hugely popular colour, but I for one find it quite difficult. Here's why.
Essays
Gateposts and Goalposts: A Council Estate Front Garden, Aged Seven
It doesn't have to be very much to be everything.
Essays
The Glory of Green
This is the time of year to celebrate all things green. When the sunlight filters through the branches, setting the leaves aglow, I feel my eyes drinking in all the wonder and intensity of the colour. The benefits of green should not surprise us.
Essays
Mastering the Art of Growing and Harvesting Coriander
Love it or hate it, nothing beats fresh coriander. In this article I share some of my top tips on growing and using it successfully.
Essays
The Woodlanders
Woodland plants, both large and small, add a special new dimension to any garden.