Sweetcorn is one of those crops that does brilliantly when you get the timing right and goes badly wrong when you do not. It is not a difficult plant to grow, but it does need warmth, and the UK gives you a fairly narrow window to work with. Sow too early and the seeds rot. … Read more
If you have ever grown tomatoes or courgettes on a windowsill and then put them straight outside in May, you will know what happens next. The plants stop growing. The leaves go pale. Sometimes they just give up altogether. It is incredibly frustrating, especially when you have looked after them for weeks. The good news … Read more
If you have ever stood in front of a packet of seeds wondering whether to sow them now or wait, this is the page for you. UK gardening is all about timing. Sow too early and seeds rot in cold soil. Plant out too late and crops do not have time to ripen before autumn. … Read more
May is a great month for flowers. The soil is warm, the days are long, and most things you plant now will be flowering by July. Whether you have a border, a veg patch, or just a few pots outside the back door, there is plenty you can get going in May. One thing to … Read more
If you only have one good month for sowing in the UK, May is probably it. The soil has warmed up properly, days are long, and seeds that would have sat in cold ground doing nothing in March will germinate quickly and reliably now. You also still have enough growing season ahead of you that … Read more
May is the month when the garden stops waiting and starts demanding. Everything happens at once seeds need sowing, tender plants need planting out, weeds appear from nowhere, and somehow you’re also supposed to be keeping on top of watering, feeding, and pest control. It’s brilliant, but it helps to know what actually needs doing … Read more
May is when UK gardening properly gets going. The soil has warmed up, the days are long, and there’s a full season still ahead. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to get started, this is it. There’s a lot you can plant in May — both sowing seeds directly outside and getting tender … Read more
Is bagged compost worth it for UK home gardens? It’s one of the most common questions gardeners ask when soil looks tired or plants fail to thrive, and the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. The exact blend varies by brand and even by batch. This is why gardeners sometimes notice … Read more
One of the most confusing things for home gardeners is knowing what to feed — and when. Part of the Soil & Compost series:Soil Health for UK Gardens — start here for the foundations of healthy soil.Should You Dig Your Garden Soil or Not? — how soil structure affects growth long term. Garden centres are … Read more
Few gardening topics create as much confusion as digging. Some advice insists digging is essential. Other advice claims digging ruins soil completely. Beginners are often left feeling that whichever choice they make, they’re doing something wrong. The reality, especially in UK home gardens, is far more balanced. Digging is neither always good nor always bad. … Read more