Category: How to

How to tutorials and basics for the garden.

  • A simple guide to garden compost

    Making compost is one of the simplest ways to reuse garden and kitchen waste. You do not need complicated equipment. A basic compost bin or a well-kept heap is enough for most gardens.

    What can go on the compost heap?

    Grass clippings, leaves, small amounts of soft pruning material, vegetable peelings, coffee grounds and spent plants can all be composted. Mix wetter green material with drier material such as fallen leaves, small pieces of cardboard and woody stems.

    Avoid one large layer

    A thick layer of grass clippings can become wet and compacted. Mix it with drier material instead. Cutting coarse material into smaller pieces also helps it break down more quickly.

    Air and moisture

    A compost heap should be damp rather than soaking wet. If it becomes very dry, add a little water. Turning the heap occasionally introduces air and mixes material that is decomposing at different speeds.

    When is compost ready?

    Finished garden compost is dark, crumbly and has an earthy smell. Some small pieces of woody material may remain and can simply go back onto the new heap.

    Use mature compost as a soil improver around established plants or when preparing beds. It is an inexpensive way to return useful organic matter to the garden.

  • Planting bulbs for spring

    Spring bulbs are one of the easiest ways to bring early colour into the garden. Most are planted in autumn, when the soil is still workable but the main growing season is coming to an end.

    Choose bulbs for the place

    Tulips usually perform best in sunny, well-drained positions. Daffodils are more tolerant and can work well in borders, grass and beneath deciduous trees. Crocuses and smaller bulbs are useful near paths and at the front of beds.

    Plant at the right depth

    As a general guide, bulbs are planted at roughly two to three times their own depth, although it is worth checking the instructions for individual varieties. Plant with the pointed end upwards where this is obvious.

    Drainage matters

    Many bulbs dislike sitting in wet soil through winter. If the ground is heavy, choose a better-drained position or improve the planting area. Containers are another option, provided excess water can escape.

    Plant in groups

    Bulbs often look better in informal groups than in single straight lines. In borders, planting several bulbs together creates a stronger patch of colour when they flower.

    After flowering

    Remove faded flowers if desired, but leave the foliage until it has yellowed naturally. The leaves help the bulb store energy for the following year.

    A little work in autumn can produce some of the first colour of the new gardening season.

  • Why raised beds remain useful

    Raised beds have been popular in vegetable gardens for many years, and for good reason. They can make a growing area easier to organise and allow you to improve the soil in a defined space.

    Better control of the soil

    If the existing garden soil is poor, compacted or difficult to work, a raised bed can be filled with a more suitable mixture. Compost and other organic matter can then be added exactly where crops are growing.

    Easier access

    A raised growing surface reduces the amount of bending needed for sowing, weeding and harvesting. The exact height depends on the gardener and on the construction, but even a modest raised edge can make a difference.

    Good drainage

    Raised beds can drain more freely than heavy surrounding soil. This can be useful in wet gardens, although the same bed may need more watering during hot, dry weather.

    Keep the width practical

    A bed should be narrow enough to reach the centre without standing on the soil. This helps avoid compaction. Paths between beds should also be wide enough for comfortable access and, where necessary, a wheelbarrow.

    Choose durable materials

    Timber is common and straightforward to work with. Brick, stone and metal can last longer and give a more permanent appearance. Whatever material is used, the construction should be strong enough to hold wet soil without bowing.

    Raised beds are not essential for successful growing, but they are a practical solution where access, soil quality or garden organisation can be improved.

  • Growing herbs close to the kitchen

    Herbs are useful garden plants, but they are most useful when they are easy to reach. A small bed or a few pots near the kitchen door can be better than a large herb garden at the far end of the garden.

    Choose the herbs you actually use

    Parsley, chives, thyme, rosemary and mint are good starting points for many kitchens. Basil can also be grown outside in warm weather, although it prefers more shelter and warmth than hardy herbs.

    Use pots where necessary

    Pots are useful on a terrace or beside a back door. They also make it easier to control vigorous plants. Mint, in particular, can spread quickly in open ground and is often easier to manage in a container.

    Sun and drainage

    Many Mediterranean herbs prefer a sunny position and soil that drains freely. Rosemary and thyme dislike sitting in wet ground. Parsley and chives are usually happier with a little more moisture.

    Pick regularly

    Regular harvesting encourages many herbs to produce fresh growth. Take small amounts when you need them rather than allowing plants to become large and woody before cutting them back.

    A kitchen herb garden can be very simple. Put a few reliable plants in the right place and they are likely to be used much more often.

  • Growing vegetables at home

    You do not need a large vegetable garden to grow some food at home. A sunny corner, a raised bed or several containers can provide enough space for a useful selection of vegetables and herbs.

    Start with easy crops

    Salad leaves, radishes, courgettes, beans and many herbs are straightforward choices for a first season. Tomatoes are also rewarding where there is enough sun and warmth, although they need regular watering and feeding.

    Use the space you have

    Vegetables can be grown in traditional rows, raised beds or containers. Deep pots and growing bags are useful on patios. Climbing beans and some other crops use vertical space and can produce a good harvest from a relatively small area.

    Good soil matters

    Vegetables grow quickly and need fertile soil. Add well-rotted compost or other organic matter before planting where necessary. Containers need a suitable growing medium and should have drainage holes.

    Sow a little at a time

    It is tempting to sow a whole packet of seed at once. For quick crops such as lettuce and radishes, smaller sowings every few weeks can provide a steadier harvest.

    Water regularly

    Young plants and vegetables in containers can dry quickly. Check them during warm weather and water the soil thoroughly when needed rather than giving a light sprinkle.

    Growing vegetables at home is mostly a matter of starting on a manageable scale. A small productive patch is easier to look after and can always be expanded next year.

  • A few useful tools for summer gardening

    Summer gardening does not require a shed full of equipment. A small number of reliable tools will deal with most everyday jobs, from weeding and planting to cutting back spent flowers.

    A good hand trowel

    A strong hand trowel is useful throughout the season. It can be used for planting small plants, working compost into the soil and removing weeds with shallow roots. Look for a comfortable handle and a blade that does not flex easily.

    Secateurs

    Sharp secateurs make cleaner cuts than scissors or blunt garden tools. They are useful for deadheading, light pruning and removing damaged stems. Clean the blades regularly, particularly after working on unhealthy plants.

    A hand fork

    A hand fork is useful for loosening the surface of compacted soil and working around established plants where a larger fork would be awkward. It is also handy for lifting small weeds without disturbing the whole border.

    Watering equipment

    A watering can remains useful even where a hose is available. It gives more control around newly planted areas and containers. For larger gardens, a hose with a simple adjustable nozzle saves time.

    Keep it simple

    Buy tools for jobs you actually do. A few well-made tools that feel comfortable in the hand are generally more useful than a large collection that rarely leaves the shed.

    Summer is when garden tools are used most often. Keeping the basic ones clean, sharp and easy to find makes everyday gardening considerably easier.

  • Getting ready for spring

    After winter, the garden slowly starts to wake up again. Early spring is a good time to walk around the garden and see what needs attention before growth really begins.

    Start with a simple tidy-up

    Remove broken stems, old leaves and other winter debris where necessary. There is no need to make the garden perfectly tidy. A little organic material is useful for the soil and for insects, but paths, borders and working areas can be cleared.

    Look at the soil

    If the ground is very wet, wait before working it. Walking and digging on wet soil can damage its structure. When conditions improve, loosen compacted areas carefully and add compost where the soil needs improvement.

    Check tools and pots

    Clean hand tools, sharpen cutting tools and check wooden handles. Empty pots can be cleaned before they are used again. A little preparation now makes the busy weeks of spring easier.

    Plan before planting

    Make a short list of what you want to grow this year. Think about sunny and shaded places, the space plants will need later in the season and what worked well last year.

    Spring in the garden does not need to start with a big project. A few useful jobs now can make the rest of the season much more enjoyable.