The Garden Magazine

There's always something new going on in the garden, subcribe to our RSS feed to keep up with the news. Thanks for visiting!

There are many people who would say that the care of Houseplants is not strictly gardening but I would disagree, a houseplant is like bringing the garden indoors.  However they are not living in their natural environment and need special care in terms of light water and temperature.

One of the most important things is good quality soil and the addition of moisture holding gels can help with this as a plant without moisture will wither and die so quickly.  It also helps to retain the nutrients and stop them being washed out of the soil.

There are suitable potting mixtures available for all different plant types and moisture meters as well, though to be honest, a finger pushed just beneath the soil is just as good!

Light and air quality are also extremely important, some plants require a good light, others something a little more subdued and the wrong choice can be fatal.  One thing that can help to ensure the health of your houseplants is to put them outside for a few hours when the weather is suitable, they seem to thrive on this and it is a good opportunity to wash them and clean the leaves which always benefits the plant.

These few simple basic health rules will keep your houseplants green and glowing bringing the garden indoors to you.

When you think about the design of your garden it is advisable to try and create a design that will produce a harmonious whole with plants and terrain complimenting each other.  Creating a theme will dictate not only the plants but also the other elements of the garden such as seating, water features and other structural elements.  A theme to your design allows you to create a garden that has a sense of flow, moving gently from one element to the next rather than an unplanned mixture of this and that.

The theme of a garden may be dictated by the design and style of your house or by the nature of the ground, the local climate or most likely a combination of all.  For example if you live high on the moors you will want a garden that fits in with this choosing plants that will cope with the weather and the soil conditions such as Brooms and Heathers that give color and greenery all through the year.

The most important factor to consider in choosing your theme is your own personal preference – never force yourself into choosing something you don’t like.

Herb gardening is one of the easiest and most beneficial things you can do in your garden. Not only do you have the beauty of the plant but you have all the benefits in the kitchen too.

If you are still planning your garden it is no problem to start with your herbs in pots most herbs thrive well provided they are given sufficient water and for many people the amount grown in a pot is quite sufficient. You can start with just one or two and gradually build up your collection. Each time you would buy fresh herbs in the Supermarket, buy a plant instead and you will soon have all the herbs you need. There are standards that you can use to start off you collection such as Mint, Bay, Chives, Parsley, Coriander and Basil. Many herbs can be quite invasive so you would probably keep those in pots even when you come to plant your herb garden – Mint is a classic example. I always plant that in a large pot with the bottom knocked out. That way the plant can grow healthily but without smothering all the others. There are special herb pots that you can use as well that have a number of openings, much like a Strawberry Pot and you can have these close to the kitchen door for quick access. I generally have one of these as well as larger plants in my herb garden – it’s easier if it is bucketing down with rain.

Because herbs lend themselves to container gardening they are ideal if you only have a small garden – or no garden at all. Everyone can grow a few herbs on a windowsill, choosing a sunny or a shaded one as the plant prefers. I find these far better than all the chemical air fresheners that are in use – just rub the leaves and your room smells beautiful – though I would be careful with my choice for each room. It is easy to forget that plants like Lavender can be used in cooking and will make any room smell sweet and relaxing.

Whenever we have moved house, I always start with the herb garden – it gives quick results and you feel like you have achieved something straight away.

Welcome to my online Garden magazine. I love to garden, it is something I have enjoyed for as long as I can remember. There is nothing more satisfying to me than wandering round outside, tweaking at plants, selecting freshly grown vegetables for our meal, or just sitting in the peaceful surroundings of our garden.

There are so many aspects to gardening these days, organic or not, container or open ground, hydroponics, square foot and so - as many theories about the best way to garden as there are plants I expect. I am going to share with you my experiences and opinions on all of these and maybe pass on the tips that have come down through my family for generations and I am fortunate enough to live in an area which is fertile and kind to the gardener - though I ‘ve had my fair share of tough gardens in the past!

Gardeners are a friendly bunch - they share their produce and their knowledge - I can’t share the former with you (unless you happen by) but I can share the latter and you can dip in here just as you would your favorite garden magazine.