Quell the cries of boredom this summer with a DIY garden racetrack. Ridiculously easy and insanely impressive, this nifty little project will have your mini Stigs spellbound for hours on end. Guaranteed to put an end to holiday tedium, this fantastic garden feature will keep the kids entertained while you get on with tending your […]
Not everyone enjoys lazing on a recliner in sunny weather, and for those who prefer to be active, lawn games are the ideal compromise for a lively yet relaxing pastime. We came across this amazing DIY bowling alley that is sure to keep the whole family entertained all summer long, and we couldn’t wait to […]
It’s a sunny Friday evening at the end of a long work week and you’re longing for a cold beer and some well-deserved respite in your garden. The last thing you want interrupting your peaceful refuge is the sight of your next door neighbour barbecuing in his shorts, right? In today’s world, it seems impossible […]
Tall, verdant branches swishing gently in the summer breeze. What better way to spend a lazy Saturday than relaxing in the shade of your favourite tree with a cocktail and a good book? Versatile and multi-faceted, the rustic charm and vibrancy of a tree will breathe life into any space, as well as offer privacy […]
If you’ve got a small garden, you’ll know how important it is to utilise your space. Sure, that 9 seater rattan corner sofa is exquisite, but is it really worth losing half your garden?! In this post I’m going to share with you 7 of my favourite garden furniture pieces that are perfect for a […]
There is something deeply spiritual about trees, standing silently as they watch generations passing by. Versatile and adaptable, the correct species will add huge dimension and depth to your outdoor refuge, while complementing existing shrubs and perennials perfectly. Their leafy stature offers the illusion of luxurious serenity and the ritual of planting a tree is […]
Mulch is a great way to slowly feed your plants, help retain soil moisture, prevent weeds, stop soil erosion and give your garden a neat and tidy appearance. One of the best organic mulches is bark mulch because it’s long-lasting and hard-wearing. Bark mulch will eventually rot down to feed plants, but in the meantime […]
Mushroom compost is often recommended as a mulch to improve your plant growth, but what exactly is it, why is it so useful and should you get some? What Is Mushroom Compost? Mushroom compost is the growing material that’s left over from the process of growing mushrooms on an industrial scale. It’s sometimes referred to […]
You might see a garden shredder is an unnecessary indulgence, at least that’s what I used to think as I eyed them up online and shuffled around garden centre offerings. It was only when I took the plunge (see my market research here) that I realised garden shredders are a god-send and now I can’t live without […]
What kid doesn’t want a trampoline for their garden? They’re hours of fun and provide great exercise. But the one little niggle for us as parents is of course, safety. You want to be able to let them get on and play, but you just can’t help yourself peering out the window every five minutes. […]
What is Mulching? Mulching refers to placing a protective and potentially nutritional barrier around your plants to improve health and the garden’s appearance. Compost, pebbles, manure or fabric is ‘mulch’. You don’t have to mulch, but you’ll be surprised at what a difference it can make, particularly if you use bio-degradable mulch that feeds the […]
Whether you call them pruning shears or secateurs, there’s no denying the utility offered by these garden tools. However, while there are quite a few brands out there to choose from, Felco make the best secateurs for your money. Yes, that’s a big claim to make, but it’s actually pretty easy to see why I’m […]
As an avid gardener, weeds are the bane of my life! There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of weed species that can invade your garden, set up shop, and proliferate out of control. Eradicating them quickly is important. While you can do with handy tools, weed killers offer a simpler solution – just spray and watch as […]
Whether your hedge has grown wild, your rose bush is out of control, or your lawn isn’t quite a pristine as it was, you need a trusted pair of garden shears that are up to the challenge! Below I’ve outlined what I believe to be the best garden shears on the market. I personally own the Bosch […]
Weeds grow in almost any soil type or climate, and can quickly choke out desirable growth. Thankfully, there are ways to control them – I’ve identified seven of the best weeding tools, so you can get a chokehold on the invaders before they take over your garden.
Whether you’re planting flowers, growing your own produce, or trying to keeping your lawn healthy one thing remains the same – you need best garden hose for the job. Although it sounds like one of the more boring purchases you’ll make for you garden, the hose market is actually quite innovative these days. Traditional garden hoses […]
What is a Veg Trug ? In the most basic sense a VegTrug is a container big enough to grow plants in. The reality is that they are a space-saving extra slice of garden with perfect soil that also looks great. The bragging rights are massive when your friends are introduced to an overflowing VegTrug. […]
Not all of us have perfect ‘Gardener’s World’ type affairs outside. Many of us have micro gardens with no room to dig up the soil. Some of us are renting. This is not an excuse! You can still grow your own vegetables. Container grown veg is just as tasty as soil grown, and you can […]
Acid, alkaline or neutral soil: does it actually matter? This topic is going to cause some debate… An overly acidic or alkaline soil pH can mean your garden doesn’t have enough of the nutrients your plants require. Is this a problem? It depends on your gardening personality. There are several different types of gardener as […]
There’s something incredibly magical about gardening. Place a seed in the soil, add water and sunlight, and – presto – you’ve got a living, growing plant. That magic can enthral adults, but it has an incredible effect on children. Involving your children in gardening offers a number of benefits, too, ranging from giving you more […]
If your little one is anything like mine, he wants to be just like Mum and Dad. And as soon as he sees me out in the garden, he wants to get involved. So, I decided to get him his own little children’s gardening tool set– partly so he’s stop picking up my monster spade […]
Getting outside in the fresh air and enjoying what nature has to offer is beneficial to your health no matter what your age. Having an interest in nature and the great outdoors is vital for your wellbeing, and especially important when you start to get older and might not have as much motivation to get […]
Ready to tackle that overgrown tree in your garden? Well, you might be, but are your garden loppers?! I don’t know about you, but one of my biggest gardening frustrations is tackling a branch that my loppers just can’t handle. You’re then stuck taking little bites out of that blasted branch for the next 10 […]
Foxes are cute, I’ll admit, but they’re also a serious nuisance. They’ll eat almost anything, from kitchen scraps in your waste bins to chickens (if you’re raising your own). They’re also more than capable of doing serious damage to gardens (both vegetable and flower varieties). Of course, there’s also the fact that they can burrow […]
A bit of prep goes a long way. Especially if you’ve got big plans in the garden this weekend. You want your secateurs sharp, your knee pads at the ready, and your gardening gloves on hand. But so often in the past, I’ve inspected my gloves from the previous session and they’re either falling apart or […]
We spend so much time making our homes and gardens look nice, but there’s always one bloody thing that brings the appearance down… Wheelie Bins – the bane of my life! In my old house I was lucky enough to have a garage to hide them in, but these days I don’t have that luxury. […]
Many gardeners disagree with the idea of sticking to a particular design, feeling it will stunt or dampen their creativity. However, the opposite is often true- a well-designed plot can unify your garden, giving it a stronger sense of purpose and making it more practical and useable. Sometimes, the natural style, shape or location of […]
There are some garden ornaments, that are a bit, how do I put this, unusual. There’s something about them that although hard to explain, add a bit of unique charm to your garden. When you look at them they take you back to a fond memory, or simply put a smile on your face. Below […]
City living has its drawbacks, and one of the biggest sacrifices that people make when choosing to live in an urban area is outdoor space. Looking out onto a misshapen, concrete filled yard can be disheartening, and small gardens often end up ignored, becoming neglected overgrown dumping grounds. However, all it takes is some design […]
Breathing in the fresh air, revelling in the serenity of nature and giving your muscles a mini-workout. Gardening really is a cure-all, a panacea to neutralize the physical and mental strains of modern life. The health benefits of gardening are a hot topic in the horticultural world right now, with several international studies being conducted […]
