There’s something very magical about plants that brave the winter weather and flower when everything else in the garden is slumbering. The nodding heads of snowdrops are a delight to the eye when everything else in the garden can seem slow to appear. This spring, the fair maids of February have appeared earlier than usual […]
This year start keeping notes about your garden. A garden journal is such a useful tool, says Jean Vernon. I spend most of my working time writing, so you might be surprised that I’m not that good at journaling. And yet there are so many times every year that I wish I’d kept better notes […]
Are you looking for the precious present. Something for the gardener in your life? Here are some ideas of gifts that are thoughtful and inexpensive I don’t often sit and contemplate what I’d like as a treat, even as Christmas approaches. To be honest, sometimes it’s just enough to be alive, with a roof over […]
Embrace some fresh ideas and inspiration from Japan and create a space that looks lovely but that also has health benefits too. The English garden is often celebrated as being superior, partly due to their romantic style and the extensive garden history. But in fact, we can learn so much from other cultures and the […]
Pumpkins are more than an ornament for Halloween, says Jean Vernon The shops are full of bright orange pumpkins for sale. Huge fields are used to grow thousands of football sized pumpkins for sale in October. But not necessarily for eating. Instead, the majority are used to create Halloween lanterns to adorn gardens and door […]
Are there plants that you can grow in your garden that will also feed the birds? Jean Vernon explores. Right now, the plants in your garden are approaching the end of their yearly cycle. For annual plants that means they have set and made seeds. Even the perennial plants will have seed heads and pods […]
To get the most from your garden you need to learn to read the signs, signals and symptoms of your plants, soil and plot, says Jean Vernon Gardening is more than a hobby. It’s a deep connection with nature and an interest well-rooted in our psyche. When we tune into our plants and garden, caring […]
Moths are some of the most misunderstood mini-beasts in our gardens. These almost secret creatures are also pollinators and part of the food chain, Jean Vernon explains Gardeners don’t often notice moths in their gardens and that’s because many of them are active at night. Night flying moths are often (but not always) drab because […]
Jean Vernon shares her favourite herbs for easy and tasty summer recipes. I often think herbs are underrated. Herbs are the top pick of the plants in so many ways. Infused with essential oils, these power plants are royalty in the garden plant hierarchy. And that’s because they have so many practical uses, from making […]
This spring and summer, turn your attention to the bumblebees and let’s help save all the bees, says Jean Vernon. You may have heard that insects are in severe decline. But you may not realise the wider implications of this. We don’t all like insects, we call them bugs and creepy crawlies often without understanding […]
For some strange reason we have been programmed to loathe stinging nettles, but these plants play a vital role in nature, says Jean Vernon. If your earliest memories of nettles is falling into the nettle patch or being chased around the playground by nettle wielding classmates, you won’t have a good relationship with these incredible […]
There are lots of positive things we can do to support our garden birds. High on the list is ensuring a rich supply of natural food, including insects. If you love the garden birds you need to love insects too because without insects our birds (and many other creatures would die). We need insects and […]
