Garden Advice
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Start here: to begin your gardening journey!
There’s no time to waste; let me, Lee Burkhill, show you how to use this site to go from zero to Garden Ninja in a matter of helpful guides and gardening videos. If you want to become a fantastic gardener, then let me help train you at your own pace! I’m an award-winning garden designer […]
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How to Build a Raised Bed: The Complete UK Guide for Beginners
Learn how to build a raised bed with BBC Garden Rescue designer Lee Burkhill. Step-by-step instructions, cut lists, soil mixes, a free soil calculator and 20 years of professional experience — all in one complete UK guide.
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How to Choose the Right Lawn Mower: Complete 2026 Buying Guide
Quick Answer The right lawn mower depends on your lawn size. For small lawns under 300m², an electric or battery mower is ideal. Medium lawns up to 600m² suit a self-propelled petrol or cordless mower. Large lawns over 1,000m² need a ride-on. Cylinder mowers give the finest finish; rotary mowers handle everyday British lawns best. […]
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How to Design a Cottage Garden: Plants, Layout & Design Guide
Quick Answer A cottage garden is designed around dense, layered planting using a mix of roses, perennials, biennials, annuals, herbs, and climbers in an informal layout with curved beds and natural path materials. Start with a backbone of roses and structural shrubs, build layers from tall to low, choose a soft harmonious colour palette, and […]
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Why Is My Photinia Going Brown? Complete UK Diagnosis Guide
Photinia red robin going brown? Discover the 7 causes including leaf spot, frost damage and drought, with expert diagnosis tips and fixes from a BBC Garden Rescue designer.
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Family Friendly Garden Design: Ideas, Zones & Planting for Kids and Adults
Designing a family friendly garden that works for kids AND adults? BBC Garden Rescue designer Lee Burkhill shares expert zoning tips, DIY play features, safe plant choices and before-and-after examples. Free guide.
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The A to Z of Common Garden Plants Used in Witchcraft: A UK Gardener’s Guide
We’re not talking about anything sinister here either, just ancient wisdom about how plants can be used for healing, protection, divination, and generally making life a bit more magical. I’ve already written about trees and their influence on witchcraft, which goes into the heavy hitters of the plant world, but today we’re diving into the […]
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Clematis Ultimate Growing & Pruning Guide
Quick Answer Clematis are the most rewarding climbing plants in the UK garden, but success depends on three things: planting them 8 to 10cm deeper than the pot, giving them at least six hours of sun with shaded roots, and pruning them according to their group. Get those right and a clematis will thrive for […]
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Garden Rescue Behind the Scenes: a look behind how the TV show is made
Quick Answer Garden Rescue is filmed over two days per garden: day one for groundworks and structures, day two when presenters arrive and planting is completed. Gardens are filmed a full year before broadcast. Contributors pay for all materials and plants (minimum £3,000 budget) while design fees and labour are covered by the production. The […]
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Who is the Garden Ninja?
Garden Ninja, Lee Burkhill, is an RHS Multi Award winning Garden Designer & TV Presenter from the North West of England covering Manchester, Liverpool, Southport and the Cheshire region for stunning garden design.
He is one of the presenters on BBC1's Garden Rescue and he runs the Award Winning Garden Ninja blog & YouTube channel to help troubleshoot your garden design problems.
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Awards & RHS Medals
- Vuelo Top 10 Garden Blogger Award 2019
- Chelsea Flower Show Director Generals Trade Stand Award 2018
- 5 Star Trade Stand Hampton Court 2018
- Garden Media Guild New Talent 2017 Finalist
- RHS & BBC Feel Good Gardens Winner 2016














