Spring is around the corner
London is full of bright green shoots and buds, birdsong and blossom. Gardens are slowly filling up with colour, and alongside early flowering tulips, there are plenty of [...]
gardening tips
Spring is in the air! Is your garden ready?
The snowdrops are out, together with the winter aconites, and other Spring bulbs are bursting through the soil. Now is a very good time, on one of those sunny though still [...]
Ask Alfie: January 2017
I’m planning to grow some vegetables this year, but would like them to look good in the garden as well as taste good. Any suggestions? Yes, perhaps it’s fair to say that [...]
Your garden style – Seasonal thoughts from Planting Gems
A well thought-out, carefully planted garden should reflect a style. Whether your preference is for clashing colours, or for cool, calm shades of green [...]
The ‘Feel-Good Garden’ Seasonal thoughts from Planting Gems
At this time of year, when we are all trying to focus on healthy lifestyles and resolutions for 2016, spare a thought for your garden. Gardening is one of the best forms of [...]
Seasonal thoughts from Planting Gems: Why Autumn is the best time to plant
When is the best time to plant a garden? Not many people know this but the Autumn is the best time to plant a garden. Most plants that reach their peak in the Spring and [...]
ASK ALFIE – SEPTEMBER 2015
Q. We’ve just moved into a fairly typical town house sized garden, about 20m by 6m. There’s not much in the borders and we’d like it to be a productive edible garden. [...]
Ask Alfie: What Plants Will Flower in the Garden for Christmas?
Q. Christmas will soon be upon us. Can you suggest some plants which will be reliably in flower in the garden for the festive season? A. Well, let’s face it gardens are [...]
Planting Gems: Late Summer Interest
There is definitely a touch of Autumn in the air but we can hardly complain after the lovely hot Summer that we have had. However, your garden should still be putting on a [...]
Planting for the environment
Have you thought about whether your garden is eco-friendly? There is an increasing trend at the Chelsea Flower Show for gardens to be sustainable, and capable of being [...]