Gardening how tos

Gardening how tos

Wondering exactly how to do something in the garden? Discover our gardening guides

Wondering what jobs to get done this summer? Let Sissinghurst's expert head gardener guide you

Sissinghurst’s head gardener Troy Scott Smith guides us through the jobs that he and his team do in summer.
more

10 of the best and most beautiful garden plants for butterflies that you will love too

Make your garden attractive to vital pollinators with these suggestions of plants that butterflies love
more

The Art of Deadheading

Deadheading means that you're garden will always look its best – and will ensure flowers and nectar for longer. Plant experts John Hoyland and Matthew Biggs explain how to do it.
more

Just chop it and drop it - here's the easy way to deadhead that helps cut hard work in the garden

Discover the easy deadheading technique that is being picked up by head gardeners as a way of saving time and helping the soil
more

You've heard of the Chelsea Chop – but what is the Hampton Hack?

Plant experts Matthew Biggs and John Hoyland explain how to do the 'Hampton Hack' technique and highlight the plants that benefit from it.
more

Want your roses to ramble romantically over a tall obelisk? Here's how to do it so it looks jaw-dropping

Want to know how to make your roses ramble perfectly up a tall obelisk or structure? We have expert tips from garden designer Graham Lloyd Brunt
more

Beautiful vintage container planting ideas for early summer from Cedric Morris’ famous garden at Benton End

Garden maker James Horner uses lush foliage and delicate coloured blooms for a fresh container combination at Benton End in Suffolk, the former home of artist-plantsman Cedric Morris
more

Here's what I plant and sow in the garden in June - two experts explain what to get in the soil this month

Head gardener Benjamin Pope explains what you should be planting in June.
more

Sad that your alliums aren't going to last the summer? Get these great varieties to keep those purple globes flowering for longer

Loved for their showy spheres, alliums have long been stalwarts of late spring, but now new introductions are extending the party through summer. Our summer-flowering allium grow guide explains the best varieties to grow, how to care for them and where to plant.
more

Want to stop your veg from being munched? Planting these flowers nearby could save it from bugs and slugs

Ever wondered how companion planting might help your vegetables and deter pests? Here expert grower Matthew Biggs breaks down the companion planting myths and explains how the system works
more

No Mow May is over, but what now? Here's how to mow in June

The Plantlife campaign No Mow May has ended, but how do you protect all the wildlife that has got used to your long grass?
more

Tips on creating a dog-friendly garden, with expert advice from the RHS

Design ideas for a dog-friendly garden from experts at the RHS and Battersea - the dogs and cats home
more

What is the Chelsea Chop – and what plants should you try it on?

Plant experts Matthew Biggs and John Hoyland explain what the Chelsea chop is, how to do it, and which plants to try it on.
more

It's time to start thinking about planting your dahlia tubers - here's how to grow and care for these striking flowers for a colourful summer display

Dahlias are a must in the summer and autumn garden. Here's everything you need to know about how to grow dahlias, plant tubers and how to take cuttings.
more

When to water plants in hot weather

In the heatwave, make sure you're watering your plants at the right time of day
more

May gardening jobs: what to do in the garden in May

Kitchen gardener Aaron Bertelsen and head gardener Benjamin Pope pick the jobs you should be doing in the garden this month.
more

How to grow peonies

Peonies offer voluptuous blooms to grace your garden from late spring until July. Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall and Claire Austin give tips on how to grow these alluring flowers
more

Love peonies? Try these lesser-known, big-bloomed beauties that flower for ages and won’t flop over

Known for their large, showy, goblet-shaped blooms, these small shrubs provide welcome structure in the garden long after their spectacular spring flowering
more

Everything you need to know about growing bluebells

English bluebells are one of the highlights of spring. Here's how to grow them in your own garden – and how to differentiate between English and Spanish bluebells.
more

How to plant a water lily in a pond - an expert guide to planting water lilies successfully

Tim Stretton, head of gardens at Mounton House, offers expert advice on the best way to plant or replant a water lily in water
more

It's back! This tiny caterpillar could destroy your hedges: here's how to deal with it

The box caterpillar, or box tree caterpillar, can devastate box plants in a matter of days. Here's how to deal with it.
more

How to renovate a small lawn in spring: watch an expert head gardener offer chemical-free tips

Grass can look patchy, bare and weedy in spring but you can easily restore a lush green sward with these simple steps from a professional gardener
more

Troy Scott Smith makes peony supports using hazel

Discover how to make your own peony supports, which will work for other plants too, with expert advice from Sissinghurst head gardener Troy Scott Smith
more
This website is owned and published by Our Media Ltd. www.ourmedia.co.uk
© Our Media 2025