May gardening tips Sometimes it can be a bit bewildering to know what to do in the garden each month, so here are our top eight pointers that should help you: It is very important to keep weeds down this month. Check all wood and fence panels for wear and protect with paint or preservative.…
Flowers to attract butterflies and moths Butterflies are among the most beautiful wild creatures you can attract to your garden, but they are becoming rarer. You can help reverse this decline by creating a butterfly garden. Plant nectar-rich plants and you will never be without butterflies or moths. Grow a garden with lots of herbs…
Grow your own chillies These colourful fruits can be grown on windowsills and terraces in pots for the enjoyment of both gardeners and cooks. Even if you have just a small outdoor space or a window box, chilli peppers are fun to grow. They can be many colours of the rainbow including green, purple, yellow,…
Tomato growing – our 10 top tips Growing from seed If you are starting tomatoes from seed, be sure to give the seedlings room. Close conditions inhibit their growth, so transplant them as soon as they get their first true leaves and move them into suitable pots about two weeks after that. Tomato seedlings need…
Jobs to do in the garden in April There is still a lot to tend to in the garden this month and below are some of the key jobs that will need your attention now. Fertilise If we have a spell of wet weather, mulch around azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons, this helps keep moisture in…
Sow Your Own tomatoes Growing tomatoes from seed is easy and means you can try different varieties relatively cheaply. You can start sowing your seeds now (March/early April). If you’re worried about pinching out sideshoots when the plants are bigger, then grow determinate varieties such as Sweet Olive F1 and Tumbling Tom Red. How to…
Tips on the economy from top expert This week’s 2025 conference guest speaker ‘takeaway’ blog comes from leading economist Roger Martin-Fagg. Roger, who specialises in making economics accessible for everyone, presented to members on Tuesday, January 28, and shared his knowledge to help delegates create their 2025 strategies. Back by popular demand Roger was a…
Victorian love values for Mothering Sunday This Mothering Sunday (March 30, 2025) children will be able to REALLY say it with flowers. Flowers have been given meanings for centuries. The Romantic poets such as Keats and Wordsworth were responsible for promoting them, but it wasn’t until the Victorian era that a social code for flowers…
Bringing possibility to life As part of our ongoing series of ‘takeaway’ blogs from speakers who presented at our 2025 conference in Reading in January, today we’re sharing some top tips from collective imagination champion Rob Hopkins. Power of imagination Rob is the co-founder of Transition Network and Transition Town Totnes and author of several books…
Top tips on orchid care Orchids are easy to look after according to our CEO and horticultural expert, Peter Burks. If you are giving one to your Mum this Mothering Sunday, or receive one yourself, then just print off Peter’s easy-care guide to help you keep your orchid looking good. Don’t over water. More orchids…