I spotted this front garden on Herschel Crescent, Oxford. It wins our Gardeners Tips ‘Autumn Front garden competition of the year award’. I love the riot of colour. Every inch of ground is used to create a stunning display. It illustrates what great value Dahlias can be. The best thing about Dahlias is the length [...]

As Autumn beckons I thought it worth reviewing the top climbers and creepers for that startling colour that encourage passers buy to stop and gawp. Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia is a large-leafed vigorous grower with brilliant orange and scarlet leaves in autumn. Parthenocissus Veitchii ‘Boston Ivy’ from the same family is a vigorous self clinging [...]

September can be a good time to take cuttings of Perpetual Flowering Carnations. Using bottom heat they can be taken upto the end of March but if you have the greenhouse space then I would take them early. Carnation Cuttings Ideally use a “mother plant” that has not been allowed to flower but has been [...]

I took my camera to the Autumn flower show and came back with some colourful pictures of great Chrysanthemums. On the doormat when I got home was a newly printed catalogue for Chrysanthemums 2010/2011 so I thought someone was trying to tell me something. I have not been patient or focused enough to grow good [...]

home grown vegetables 1. Growing Vegetables. You don’t have to be Percy Thrower to grow a few tasty, homegrown organic vegetables. The Allotment or back garden is a great English tradition which enables you to not only grow vegetables, but, also escape from the turmoils of life (i.e. wife / husband – delete as appropriate) [...]