December is officially the beginning of summer and the oetService predicts a long, hot one. Another sure prediction is that it will be a manic month of socialising, present buying and planning. My aim is to get my Christmas shopping done early so I can relax (just a little) in my garden. I’ll plug the […]

Be self-sufficient with your own summer vege garden **Beans **It’s time now to sow another crop of beans. Sow every four to five weeks until the end of January in the south and mid-March in the north. Lay straw around dwarf beans to prevent soil splash spoiling the fruit. If space is an issue, grow […]

Turn your garden into an exotic subtropical paradise. **Ligularia **Several ligularias are available, but my absolute favourite is ‘Britt-oarie Crawford’. Like most ligularias, it dies down in winter, reappearing fresh and invigorated in spring to form a strong clump of 60cm-high, almost perfectly rounded foliage. The best thing about ‘Britt-oarie Crawford’ is its deep mahogany […]

When the heat is on…here’s what to do in the garden **Weed **Keep an eye out for the insidious creep of determined weeds such as wandering Willie, convolvulus, privet, moth plant and honeysuckle, which often go unnoticed over summer. Hand-weeding is a good option for minor infestations. Serious problems require stronger tactics such as Vigilant […]

Make the world a better place with these smart ideas for a sustainable garden **Produce your own honey… **The steady decline of wild beehives due to varroa mite means that urban hives are now an extremely important element in the wellbeing and sustainability of our ecosystem. If this idea appeals, start by researching the National […]

Take a moment to enjoy the wonderful aromas of your summer garden **What’s in a scent? **Scent is a very complex subject. While it may be possible to single out an overriding scent in a plant, most scents are a blend of many different chemical components. And while some scents are heavenly to one person, […]

How to remove that pickle smell from jars.