Gardners World
Growing garlic and onions
With the soil drier, I have finally planting the last of my garlic and onion sets. The tasty golden bulbs of 'Setton' onions make a perfect companion to the 'Red Baron' I planted in the autumn.
Growing garlic and onions
With the soil drier, I have finally managed to plant the last of my garlic and onion sets.
Snails and song thrushes in the garden
When a letter starts "I must strongly protest at an article written by Adam Pasco..." then I do wonder what I've done wrong.
Wasps and wasps’ nests
I was blissfully unaware of wasps' nests till one summer at the allotment, when I got stung on my bottom ...
Garden birds and their predators
[...] when a Siamese cat strutted along the back wall we contemplated the Mammal Society's and RSPB's calculations that cats kill some 55 million birds each year in the UK.
Garden jobs for spring
I am always in a panic at this time of year - there are so many things that need to be done. All before the end of March. So, the time has come to make a list.
Pond plants
Be Plant Wise, a government campaign to halt the spread of non-native, invasive pond plant species in our ponds, streams and rivers, was launched this week.
Sowing seeds for home-made ratatouille
The sky is grey, my toes are turning rigid in my boots and the rain is hammering down, but my thoughts are turning to the Mediterranean, and summer holidays.
Patio climbers
Last summer I discovered a twining, tender climber called Lophospermum, or lofos. I bought two varieties, 'Burgundy Falls' and 'Summer Cream', as plug plants from a mail-order seed company.
Eastern European vegetable varieties
I'm not sure how I feel about super-rich Russians buying up British newspapers or football clubs, but there's one invasion I thoroughly approve of.
Rare ladybirds
[...] you can find fascinating wildlife anywhere, even the smallest garden. All you have to do is watch and wait, and something will come along.
The National Gardens Scheme Yellow Book
Last week marked the beginning of a very important part of the gardening year. It was the official launch of the National Gardens Scheme Yellow Book.
Most loved plants
Why is it that we have no trouble expressing our dislikes, but when it comes to things we love, we're more reticent?
Seed potatoes
The first of the snowdrops are up, my daffodils are romping away - I can almost believe that spring will actually arrive. But it's the seed potatoes that are really firing me up.