How to garden well
Practical, thoughtful guidance for planting, growing and caring for a garden — through the seasons and for the long term.
Editor’s picks
Learn how to clean, inspect and sharpen secateurs while preserving the original blade bevel, alignment and smooth cutting action.
A practical guide to choosing bypass or anvil secateurs, matching them to your hand and making clean, controlled pruning cuts.
Use a garden fork efficiently for loosening soil, lifting perennials, aerating ground and moving organic material without unnecessary strain.
Choose a garden trowel that suits your soil and planting style, with practical advice on blade shape, materials, handles, strength and comfort.
Browse by subject
Plant & Grow
From sowing and planting to propagation, bulbs, vegetables and herbs.
Garden Care
Seasonal jobs, watering, soil, compost, lawns and everyday garden care.
Problems & Solutions
Clear answers for pests, diseases and the things that do not quite go to plan.
Tools & Skills
Choose, use and care for the tools that make good gardening easier.
What to do now
How to recognise vine weevil adults and larvae, inspect affected pots, protect roots and manage infestations in container-grown plants.
Learn how to recognise and manage aphids without overreacting, using physical removal, natural predators and better plant care.
A selective approach to autumn garden care that keeps paths and borders tidy while leaving useful stems, leaves and habitat for winter.
Restore a thin or worn lawn with practical steps for raking, aerating, overseeding, watering and improving future mowing.
A practical guide to mulching garden borders, including timing, suitable materials, depth, preparation and avoiding common mistakes.
Improve heavy clay soil gradually with organic matter, mulching, reduced compaction and better planting practices.
Latest guides
Tools & Skills
Good technique starts with understanding the job and the tool. Explore practical guides to choosing, using and caring for garden tools.
Learn how to clean, inspect and sharpen secateurs while preserving the original blade bevel, alignment and smooth cutting action.
A practical guide to choosing bypass or anvil secateurs, matching them to your hand and making clean, controlled pruning cuts.
Use a garden fork efficiently for loosening soil, lifting perennials, aerating ground and moving organic material without unnecessary strain.
Choose a garden trowel that suits your soil and planting style, with practical advice on blade shape, materials, handles, strength and comfort.