Expert Gardening Tips
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Noel Kingsbury: Why it's time to reassess 'one of the great triumphs of the 20th-century English garden'
Everything from climate change to the whims of gardening fashion shape what we plant, but is it time to remember our traditional strengths, asks Noel Kingsbury.
By Noel Kingsbury Published
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The six varieties of poppy every gardener needs to know
From common poppy and the poum poppy to the bright yellow Welsh poppy, Jack Watkins takes a look at these exquisite natural flowers.
By Jack Watkins Published
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What you need to know about privet hedges: The good, the brilliant, the quirky... and the one that all my visitors ask me about
Privet can be dull, admits Charles Quest-Ritson — but it needn't be, if you plant the right varieties. Our expert shares his knowledge of a plant so ubiquitous that we rarely stop to think about it.
By Charles Quest-Ritson Published
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How to grow a nut tree
Country Life's expert grow-it-to-eat-it gardener Mark Diacono shares his tips on how to grow a nut tree — or even better, an entire nuttery — in your garden.
By Mark Diacono Published
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What to do with sweet chestnuts, from roasting over an open fire to adding zip to burgers and brownies
Mark Diacono says that autumn is synonymous with sweet chestnuts — and he has all sorts of ways to make the most of a seasonal treat.
By Mark Diacono Published
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Nine unusual berries that you should be growing in your garden, from boysenberries to wineberries
There’s a wealth of juicy deliciousness beyond the standard fruit-cage fare of strawberry, raspberry and blackberry. Mark Diacono explores all the other berries we should be growing, too.
By Mark Diacono Published
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Alan Titchmarsh: How to force Christmas bulbs to ensure fresh, beautiful seasonal flowers
Writer and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh generally enjoys the patience and anticipation of gardening, but is happy to make an exception when it comes to forcing bulbs for Christmas. Here's how he does it.
By Alan Titchmarsh Published
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How to plant the perfect pot of tulips
Pots look simple, but it takes a bit of planning to create a balanced display for five weeks of colour in spring. Designer Angel Collins shows how to do it.
By Country Life Published
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Alan Titchmarsh: How to grow exotic flowers in English country gardens
Alan Titchmarsh shares his tips on bringing exotic blooms to life in the gardens of Britain.
By Alan Titchmarsh Published
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Best tulips: The bulbs to buy now to light up your garden throughout next summer
Charles Quest-Ritson once looked down on tulips, something he deeply regrets. Don't make the same mistake, he says, as he names his favourite tulips of the summer and suggests you look to buy bulbs now.
By Charles Quest-Ritson Published
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How to get rid of bindweed
Although treasured by children for the pop of those white trumpet flowers, bindweeds are no friend to gardeners, says Ian Morton. He takes a look at the history of this plant — and explains how to get rid of bindweed forever.
By Ian Morton Published
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Alan Titchmarsh: 2021 was the slowest-starting Spring of my life — but my garden has given me more pleasure than ever before
Frost, deluges, heatwaves... the weather this year has been nothing short of madness, but Alan Titchmarsh has come through the other side and is enjoying his garden like never before.
By Alan Titchmarsh Published
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Fuchsia jam, rowan brandy liqueur and the curiosities you can make from an English country garden
Charles Quest-Ritson looks at some of the berries in the typical English garden which you might never even have thought of as edible.
By Charles Quest-Ritson Published
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Arthur Parkinson: 'Chicken company and chat is underrated. Chickens will accompany you around the garden, happily running to greet you'
Arthur Parkinson shares his tips on keeping both garden and hens happy.
By Arthur Parkinson Published
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Iford Manor: How to introduce modern touches into a historic garden
Nowhere are Harold Peto’s talents as a gardener and architect more apparent than the gardens and grounds of Iford Manor, so new additions need to respect the spirit of the place.
By Troy Scott-Smith Published
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Alan Titchmarsh: 'I share my patch with all manner of animals, birds, bees and butterflies, and creepy-crawlies — they have every right to be there, but so do I'
We should stop beating ourselves up and cultivate responsibly for wildlife and the environment, but also enjoy the pleasure of a well-mown lawn.
By Alan Titchmarsh Published
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Everything you need to know about Foxgloves: Beautiful, useful, poisonous — and a dream for bumblebees and plant-breeders alike
Charles Quest-Ritson celebrates one of the most striking flowers of this time of year, and offers his tips on how to make the most of them.
By Charles Quest-Ritson Published