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.…
March BoT reveals furniture & BBQs top garden centre sales Our members recorded a ‘wonderful’ March according to figures posted in our Barometer of Trade (BoT) for the month – with furniture & BBQs up at +57.7% (2025). Statistics from member garden centres show 12 of the 13 sales areas recorded did well, when likened…
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…
How to grow your own potatoes – your questions answered Do I need a large garden, veg plot/beds or allotment to grow them? No, you don’t need a huge garden to try a few potato varieties, just space for a pot or two. What potato is best for me? A great way to discover varieties…
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Essentials for a Greener Garden Every day, people are finding new ways to be sustainable and look after the world they live in. If you’re not sure how to help, you can make a difference right from your own garden! The Importance of Sustainability and Being Eco-Friendly A definition of sustainability which…
If you only manage to get eight things done this month in your outdoor space, depending on its size and what you use it for, then these are the ones to go for: Sow under cloches beetroot, broad beans, Brussels sprouts, early carrots, lettuce, radish, spring onions, spinach, turnips, parsnips, early peas and salad leaves.…
When Haydon Walters from British Garden Centres’ Thatcham Garden Centre was crowned the winner of our 2023 Westland Horticulture sponsored Rising Stars recently applications also opened for this year’s programme too (2024). Haydon was declared the winner after his presentation was voted the best by delegates during our annual conference in the Cotswolds (January 29).…