Watermelon Rosario is one of the most popular varieties of watermelon to grow from seed. While they need warm growing conditions, Watermelon Rosario are capable of producing quite an impressive crop of home-grown watermelons even in temperate areas. Having grown Watermelon Rosario myself for the last few years, yet found information on the internet lacking, … Read more
Courgette One Ball is an exciting variety of squash which I grew for the first time in 2020. As the covid lockdown continued to bite I spent more time than ever planting seeds and trying new varieties of vegetables. I have to say that I consider Courgette One Ball one of my finest discoveries, and … Read more
Cobaea scandens, sometimes known by the common names of the “Cup and Saucer Vine” or “Cathedral Bells”, is a stunning climbing plant that can be easily grown from seed. Cobaea scandens is half-hardy, meaning that in most temperate areas the vines will die over winter. As a result, to maintain an attractive display it is … Read more
Vegetable patches can be a hive of activity at the height of the season, producing a seemingly never-ending supply of fresh produce. As summer starts to fade, however, it’s obvious to consider what to do with your vegetable patch over winter? Fortunately there are all sorts of possibilities open to you. Let’s take a look … Read more
Brugmansia are incredibly exotic-looking plants, especially when in flower. For those of us in temperate regions such as the UK or more northern United States they really bring a tropical feel to your garden. While it is certainly possible to buy Brugmansia plants, they tend to be quite expensive due to the time required for … Read more
Echium pininana, sometimes known by the common names of Viper’s Bugloss, Snow Tower or Tower of Jewels is surely one of the single most impressive flowering plants in the world. Originally hailing from the Canary Islands, Echium throws up a huge flower spike unlike anything else you’ve ever seen – sometimes as much as 12 … Read more
Climbing plants can completely change the appearance of your garden, effortlessly covering unsightly fences and walls. They can clamber over pergolas bringing height and interest to our outdoor space. But one common weakness of climbing plants is that they can grow very slowly indeed. Luckily, there is a solution – a small number of climbing … Read more
I’m currently in the process of rethinking my front garden. Since we moved into the house two years ago, the front garden has essentially remained exactly as we found it. Basically, just laid to grass. However this is far from ideal. The lawn is gently sloping, while the garden faces south. This means I need … Read more
Be honest: you’ve got a shady patch of ground and you have no idea what to do with it. The good news is that even these areas can be productive – when you know what to grow. As someone who has tried to grow all sorts of vegetables in the shadier parts of my plot … Read more
Diatomaceous earth is a fine dust made from the bodies of fossilized prehistoric crustaceans called diatoms. The cell walls from these organisms are made from silica, which makes each particle abrasive and sharp. The nature of these particles, in turn, can make them tremendously effective as a natural and organic form of pest control. For … Read more