Monday, January 20, 2025

Garden

Growing Winter Vegetables: A Beginner’s Guide

Winter gardening offers the opportunity to enjoy fresh, homegrown produce even in the colder months. By selecting the right vegetables, preparing your garden, and using simple techniques to protect...

Top 5 Winter Greenhouse Options for Hobbyist Gardeners

A greenhouse can be a game-changer for any gardener, especially during the winter months. It provides a warm, protected environment for overwintering tender plants, starting seeds early, and even...

Traditional Winter Gardening Techniques from historic Estates

Winter is often seen as a quiet time in the garden, but for gardeners on historic estates, it was a season of meticulous preparation and hard work. Drawing from...

Allotment Planner 2025

MonthWhat to PlantKey TasksJanuaryNone (focus on planning and soil preparation).Plan crop rotation, order seeds, clean tools, improve soil.FebruarySow tomatoes, chillies, aubergines indoors.Prepare ground, install cloches, prune fruit trees/bushes.MarchDirect sow...

Guide to Companion Planting on Your Allotment

Companion planting is a traditional gardening method that pairs plants strategically to support their growth, deter pests, and boost overall yields. For allotment gardeners, where space is often limited,...

Fruit or Berry, Do you Know The Difference?

Fruit or Berry, and the Surprising World of Legumes Today, we’re going to explore some surprising truths about everyday...

Is your bee hotel killing solitary bees?

Solitary Bees: Champions of Pollination and Why Bee Hotels Can Be Harmful Solitary bees are some of the most...

Is your Leylandii going brown?

Leylandii going brown is usually a sign of stress or poor health caused by specific environmental or biological...

The Surprising Truth Behind the Smell of Freshly Cut Grass

The scent of freshly cut grass is one of the most recognizable and nostalgic smells of summer. For...

Can You Grow Oranges in the UK?

Growing oranges in the UK can be challenging due to the cooler climate, but it’s possible with the...

Prune Apple Trees

Pruning is an essential task for maintaining healthy, productive apple trees. Proper pruning shapes the tree, improves fruit...

Force Rhubarb: A Gardener’s Guide

Forcing rhubarb is a traditional gardening technique that produces tender, sweet stalks, perfect for early-season pies, crumbles, and...

Grow Plants From Kitchen Scraps

Grow plants from kitchen scraps for free! Fruits 1. Citrus (Lemons, Oranges, Limes) Germination Temperature: 20–25°C (68–77°F) Steps: Plant fresh seeds in...

Heat Retention for Gardeners: Methods to Protect Your Plants

Retaining heat is a crucial aspect of winter gardening. Cold weather can damage or kill plants, but there...

What Are The Best Plants for The Bedroom?

Adding plants to your bedroom can improve air quality, boost relaxation, and create a serene atmosphere. With the...

What Are The The Best Plants for The Kitchen?

Kitchens are a perfect place for plants. They add a fresh, vibrant feel, improve air quality, and can...

What Are The Best Plants for The Bathroom?

Bathrooms, with their unique combination of humidity, temperature fluctuations, and often low light, can be challenging environments for...

How to Preserve Vegetables by Blanching

Preserving vegetables is a wonderful way to enjoy your garden’s bounty all year round. One of the most...

What is so special about John Innes Compost?

John Innes compost is a trusted name in gardening, renowned for its consistency and effectiveness. This soil-based compost...

Male Asparagus or Female Asparagus : What’s best?

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a dioecious plant, meaning it produces male and female flowers on separate plants. Understanding...

How to Grow Tomatoes in the UK: A Comprehensive Guide

Tomatoes are one of the most rewarding crops to grow in the UK, providing fresh, delicious fruits that...

Conifers Uncovered: Soil Impacts, Pests, Diseases, Pruning, and Best & Worst Varieties

Welcome to Local Gardener, where we dig into the joys and challenges of gardening! Today, we’re tackling conifers—those...

Slugs and Snails – A Garden’s Slimy Story

Welcome to Local Gardener, the podcast where we dive into the world of gardening! Today, we’re talking about...

What temperature should I store my ensete banana at?

Ensete bananas should be stored at 10c. Any higher and they will start to grow. They cannot withstand...

How to over winter Ensete bananas

Ensete bananas are not frost hardy and will need to be taken to a frost free place if...