Blog

Are you struggling with clay soil in your garden? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! While clay soil can feel like a gardener’s nemesis with its dense, claggy texture and ability to be wet for most of the year, heavy clay soil offers a unique composition for many plants that thrive in moisture-rich, nutrient-dense conditions. In fact, […]

The arrival of autumn is a harbinger of change in the garden, signalling the time to prepare for the upcoming spring season when the bulbs emerge and bring the first blast of flowers to the gardening year! Knowing how to plant spring bulbs can take your garden to the next level in terms of colour […]

Taking hardwood cuttings is a wonderfully straightforward and cost-effective method of growing more plants. Hardwood cuttings require minimal tools and expertise, making them a perfect entry point for those new to gardening. Imagine being able to clone your favourite plants or share them with friends and neighbours, all when everything else is asleep in the […]

If you’re like me and have a nightmare garden border that’s both shady and awkward, then this guide for shade-loving plants is for you. Part of my garden here at Garden Ninaj HQ is a mix of deep, dappled, and dry shade. This flower bed also has competition from a hedge and mature trees. It’s […]

Evergreen shrubs are the corner point of every successful garden design. They hold structure throughout the year and add weight to gardens, which means that even in the dead of winter, there is some form and interest to look at. I’m not suggesting that we pack our gardens with just evergreen shrubs. Low-maintenance evergreen shrubs […]

Have you ever wondered how Garden Rescue is filmed and how long it takes? If so, then this guide is for you. As a presenter on Garden Rescue for nearly five years, I will explain how the show works, how the contributors are chosen, how long the build takes, how we design the sets, plant […]

Learning how to design a garden can initially feel like a complicated or time-consuming skill. When designing a garden, there are an overwhelming number of moving parts to consider: plants, layout options, hard landscaping, soil type, and sunlight levels, to name a few! Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice enthusiast, this how-to-design-a-garden guide […]

Pruning back herbaceous perennials is essential to ensure beautiful blooms in your garden year after year. However, many gardeners are confused about when and how to prune. Most new gardeners leave herbaceous perennials like Salvias, Heleniums or Verbenas, expecting them to regenerate themselves the year after magically. The fact is, they won’t. All herbaceous perennials […]

For centuries, trees have held a profound place in human spirituality, especially within the realm of witchcraft and folk magic. Trees have been revered as symbols of life, growth, protection, and connection to the divine. Across different cultures, certain trees carry specific magical associations, and their wood, leaves, bark, and even roots are often used […]

As autumn approaches, many trees put on a spectacular display of vibrant colours before shedding their leaves. Making for one of the most beautiful seasonal changes in any garden as deciduous trees turn their colours from green, to orange, red, gold and yellow. It begs the question why do trees drop their leaves? This beautiful […]