Expert Gardening Tips
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Alan Titchmarsh: Spring's hoary old clichés might be trite — but they're all true
The phrase 'Spring is a new beginning’ may be a touch trite for today’s tastes, says Alan Titchmarsh, but it is 'a phrase that invades my mind each and every March'.
By Alan Titchmarsh Published
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Blackcurrants: Easy to grow, endlessly versatile, and why home-grown is way better than you'll find in the shops
Mark Diacono makes a case for blackcurrants being one of the best — and simplest — fruits to grow in your garden.
By Mark Diacono Published
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Anna Pavord: 'I never quite remember how glorious it is going to be, that first day in spring'
The gardener and writer Anna Pavrod on the joy of rediscovery that is spring.
By Country Life Published
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Grow your own tomatoes: What to plant, when to plant them and how to make sure they thrive
Nothing beats the flavour of homegrown tomatoes, whether you like them large and meaty or tiny and juicy. Mark Diacono has the lowdown on how to do it and which varieties to choose.
By Mark Diacono Published
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There are over 1,000 different citrus fruits out there — and you owe it to yourself to try something a little different
Once, there were just four types of wild citrus, but farmers and gardeners over the centuries have selected for wonderful variety and abundance, says Charles Quest-Ritson.
By Charles Quest-Ritson Published
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How to start your own cutting garden, by three of Britain's most successful flower growers
Nothing beats homegrown flowers for beauty, variety and scent. Tiffany Daneff asks three British growers for the best advice on starting your own cutting garden.
By Tiffany Daneff Published
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How to grow fritillaries
The exotic snake’s-head fritillary is the only British native of 130 bulbs in this fascinating family, many of which deserve a place in the garden. John Hoyland, garden adviser at Glyndebourne in East Sussex, recommends the best and shares tips on how to grow them, with additional tips from botanical artist and Fritillaria specialist Laurence Hill.
By John Hoyland Published
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Alan Titchmarsh: The hardest thing in life is keeping a sense of perspective. In that respect, a garden has no equal
We all need a garden sanctuary, says our columnist Alan Titchmarsh.
By Alan Titchmarsh Published
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Wild Garlic: How to forage it, and how to grow your own
If you are new to foraging, wild garlic is the ideal place to start says Mark Diacono.
By Mark Diacono Published
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Alan Titchmarsh: I won't hear a bad word about privet hedges, but they're not a patch on my one-off 'country hedge'
Privet hedges have had a bad name for years — not least thanks to Harry Potter — but have plenty to recommend them, says Alan Titchmarsh.
By Alan Titchmarsh Published
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In search of a mutant snowdrop
Charles Quest-Ritson tells the tale of a snowdrop that proved a painfully elusive wintry delight.
By Charles Quest-Ritson Published
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The forest garden in Devon 'with an air of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory'
Mark Diacono on Martin Crawford, the man who has inspired him for decades.
By Mark Diacono Published
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Your month-by-month checklist of what to do in the garden and when in 2022
Keeping on top of the gardening jobs can be daunting, and it's all too easy to let things slide in one area or another for a month or two.
By Toby Keel Published
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Alan Titchmarsh: My favourite books for winter garden dreaming
As the gardening takes a back seat and the sofa and the fire beckon, Alan recommends some of his favourite books to while away the long winter nights.
By Alan Titchmarsh Published
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The man who was 'by far the most significant breeder of rhododendrons of the 20th century'
Charles Quest-Ritson pays tribute to the great Hans Hachmann, the most important plantsman you've probably never heard of.
By Charles Quest-Ritson Published
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The transcendent joy of a really wonderful compost heap — and how the odd bucket of urine will help it come along nicely
Glamorous? Surprisingly, yes, since a Hollywood superstar agrees heartily with Mark Diacono about compost.
By Mark Diacono Published
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The flowers that look spectacular when the frost starts to bite
Resist the urge to tidy the garden and, come the frosts, you will be rewarded with a glorious display of glittering seedheads, says Steven Desmond.
By Steven Desmond Published