Planning a garden

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. By using plant species that flower in late summer and autumn, you can extend the gardening season through what we designers call ‘succession planting’ into September, October, and even November. For beginner gardeners, it’s a perfect […]

This guide will show you how to make an easy compost bin from wooden pallets that is both cheap and simple to make. 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 […]

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 […]

Designing a garden for a rented property can be frustrating and confusing, especially since you don’t own the property or flat. For many renters and rental properties, the garden is ignored. Maybe a few lacklustre container plants, pots, and many temporary bits and bobs. However, designing for a rental property can be far more enriching […]

The grow your own movement has really taken off over the past decade here in the UK, along with No Dig gardening. You only have to look online to see Instagrammers and social media full of grow-your-own tips. After all, who doesn’t want to be able to grow the food that they put on their […]

Do you sometimes look out into your garden and feel disappointed that it looks empty or all crammed in for a few fleeting moments? Does your garden seem to run away with itself and be a firework that goes off once a year and then fizzles? If this sounds like your garden, you must join […]

Shrubs play a vital role in the garden’s aesthetic by providing structure and texture to help connect your gardens planting scheme. They also offer a home for wildlife and ensure that any garden design has a good grounding with what we garden designers call ‘punctuation‘ (the ability to break up an eyeliner with shrubs or […]

Are you dreaming of a stunning garden that doesn’t require endless hours of toil and trouble? You’re not alone! Many garden enthusiasts are embracing the concept of low-maintenance, high-impact garden designs. (Though most guides for a low-maintenance garden only show boring, shrub-heavy gardens that are less than inspiring for homeowners). I will spill the secrets […]