Growing Tips
-
Starting Cucumbers and Tomatoes Indoors: Get a Head Start on Summer
Right. Cucumbers and tomatoes. The big indoor crops. Now, these are the ones that get everyone excited because let’s be honest, nothing beats a home-grown tomato. Absolutely nothing. Those watery things from the supermarket are a completely different species compared to a proper tomato you’ve grown yourself, still warm from the sun. And cucumbers —…
-
Bean Supports: The Unsexy Secret to a Bumper Crop
Right then. Bean supports. I know — it’s hardly the most thrilling topic in gardening, is it? But here’s the thing: a decent support is genuinely the difference between a glorious wall of runners and French beans and a sad, tangled mess on the ground where the slugs throw a party. Get it right and…
-
Planting Onion Sets and Shallots: Everything You Need for a Bumper Crop
Right. Onion sets. If you want one of the easiest, most satisfying crops you can grow, this is it. You literally push a little bulb into the soil, wait a few months, and pull out a proper onion. It’s like magic, except it’s not — it’s just how onions work. And shallots are even better…
-
Growing Herbs from Seed: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Fresh Flavours
Right. Herbs. Now, if there’s one thing that’ll change your cooking overnight, it’s having a load of fresh herbs right outside your back door. No more buying those sad little plastic packs from the supermarket that go off in two days. You grow your own basil, parsley, coriander, rosemary, thyme — the lot — and…
-
Setting Up a Composting System: Turn Your Garden Waste Into Gold
Right. Composting. Now, I know what you’re thinking — “Tony, it’s just a pile of rubbish in the corner.” And honestly? You’re not far wrong. But that pile of rubbish is going to turn into the best stuff you’ll ever put on your garden. Black gold, they call it. And once you see what good…
-
Direct Sowing Hardy Seeds: Your Guide to Getting Seeds Straight in the Ground
Right. So, direct sowing. Chucking seeds straight in the ground. No seed trays, no windowsills, no heated propagators — just you, the soil, and a packet of seeds. And I’m telling you, it’s one of the most satisfying things you can do in the garden. Now, I’ll be honest with you. For years — and…
-
Companion Planting: What Grows Well Together (And What Doesn’t)
What Is Companion Planting? Companion planting is one of the oldest tricks in the gardening book. The idea is simple: some plants help each other grow when planted nearby, while others compete, attract pests, or actively inhibit each other. Get it right and you can boost yields, deter pests and make better use of your…
-
What to Sow in March: Your Complete UK & USA Planting Guide
March marks the real start of the growing season. The days are getting longer, the soil is slowly warming, and the urge to get your hands dirty becomes impossible to ignore. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or picking up a trowel for the first time, March is packed with opportunity. Here’s your complete guide to…