Planning a garden

Adding a pond or water feature to your garden is one of the most beneficial landscaping projects you can undertake to help out Mother Nature and bring some peace to any garden. Who doesn’t love the tranquillity of hearing moving water or watching newts, fish, birds and insects go about their daily lives using the […]

One question I get asked frequently on this site is, ‘Why is garden design expensive?’ and my answer is that garden design isn’t expensive; it’s good value for money given the vast multidisciplinary skills that go into making a successful garden design. Garden designers should not be cheap. Combining plant knowledge, design skills, project management, […]

Designing a garden is an exciting journey that can transform any outdoor space into a lush, inviting sanctuary. However, creating a functional and beautiful garden can be challenging, particularly if you’re new to gardening or have specific goals in mind. This is where garden design templates, planting plans, and layouts of existing garden designs can […]

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 […]

Designing a small garden can feel challenging, especially if you have never been a gardener or studied design principles before. You can be put off by a lack of plant knowledge, confusion over where to start, what features you need or the cost of implementing your own design. Take reassurance that I’m going to guide […]

As the summer fades and the days get shorter, your garden doesn’t have to lose its vibrancy or beauty. Using plant species that flower in late summer and autumn, you can extend the gardening season using what we designers call ‘succession planting’. Autumn is a fantastic time to enjoy the beauty of flowering plants. For […]

This guide will show you how to make an easy compost bin from wooden pallets. This is by far the easiest method I have used over the years. Even with a small garden, if you have enough space for a wooden palette, it’s worthwhile to create a compost bin. You not only save on those […]

Understanding colour schemes from the colour wheel can greatly enhance your ability to create visually appealing designs and artwork. Colour can evoke both positive and negative feelings and emotions in the garden. If you’ve ever looked at a garden and found the colours jarring or awkward, the chances are the colour wheel has been ignored. […]

Improving your garden soil organically is essential for creating a thriving, sustainable garden, especially if you want to plant a variety of gorgeous plants, fruits, or vegetables. Without decent soil, no amount of planning, garden design or care will matter. Your gardens will struggle to succeed. The sad fact is that with new-build gardens in […]