NOVBEMBER 2019

The deed is done. All traces of Buxus sempervirens (box) have been removed. The box tree caterpillars had bided their time waiting until we were just about to go on holiday before mercilessly attacking every leaf in sight quicker than you can say Jack Robinson.

SEPTEMBER 2019

Sounds strange, but bear with me. Living in a fast-paced world, it is so easy, when you have a garden pest or weed problem, to reach for a solution in a bottle, organic or not. Better still to adopt some tolerance…

JUNE 2019
The humble front garden. Whatever happened to it? Lush, well-manicured green lawns of the 50’s surrounded by Hydrangea’s in an array of psychedelic colours interspersed with equally garish dahlia’s in glorious technicolour.

MARCH 2019
As the garden growing season gets underway for another year, I look at ways in which we can future proof our gardens to help protect them from extreme weather events like flash flooding or drought which the UK is expected to endure more of in the future.

NOVEMBER 2018
As the last leaves fall, Woking’s towers are becoming ever prominent from far and wide. Whether you are in-favour or opposed to these urban complexes, many of us will endure the view of high-rise living from our gardens, whilst feeling their once tranquil garden space is losing its seclusion.

SEPTEMBER 2018
Bulb planting season is nearly upon us again. A few choice bulbs choose to flower now, like Sternbergia lutea. Similar to the autumn crocus, this is one to try if you have a free draining border against a sunny house wall where nothing else will grow.

JULY 2018
Pests and disease, although not much documented in the past, are something us gardeners have endured for as long as we have cultivated plants. In more recent years it seems we are now getting an influx in these problems arising.

JUNE 2018
June is the transition from the spring garden, with woodlanders in their race to bloom against the tree canopies, to the summer garden of swelteringly hot days, clement nights and borders crammed to bursting with heady scents. This transition period we refer to as the ‘June gap’ - the lull before real summer beauties can show off their stuff.

MAY 2018
Yesterday saw Painted Fern’s annual pilgrimage to the Chelsea Flower Show. Many of the designers opted for much loved stalwarts of the garden such as Lupins, Geums and Aquilegias with Paeonies featuring heavily too.