Practical
Here's how to sharpen your garden tools properly to help make sure you're pruning your plants well
Advice on sharpening garden tools, with a step-by-step video on how to sharpen shears. You'll also find all the products you need to get the job done.
15 stylish fruit cages for keeping your produce protected
A fruit cage is a practical and stylish way to protect your fruit and vegetables. We've selected 15 different fruit cages to keep birds and other pests at bay, so you can choose the right design for your garden.
Garden rakes: a buyer's guide and popular options
Our selection of the best garden rakes will help you keep your outdoor space in order
9 of the best insulated flasks in 2024
Every gardener deserves a break. If you're out and about or working on the allotment, take an insulated flask with you for a warming (or cooling) drink. Here's our choice of some of the best.
The best gardening gloves and gauntlets for 2024
Keep your hands warm and protected with our pick of the best gloves for gardening
The 8 best hedge tools
Keep your hedges under control with our pick of the best powered tools for trimming and cutting.
12 of the best bird feeders and hanging bird feeding stations
Make your garden an avian haven with our pick of the best bird feeders and tables
The best garden wheelbarrows
Save yourself a lot of time and hassle in the garden with our selection of the best wheelbarrows on the market.
9 of the best splitting axes
Make short work of your firewood with our pick of the best splitting axes and mauls
Garden design courses
Looking for a garden design course? Here's a selection of the UK's leading garden design schools and details of the training they offer.
The best outdoor ovens for al fresco dining
Garden ovens are the perfect way of enjoying your open air space all the more.
The best trees for front gardens
Choosing the right tree for a front garden can be tricky but there are advantages and countless pleasures that can be had if you choose your tree carefully.
The best wood for burning on wood burning stoves and fires
As winter approaches, re-stocking your firewood supplies is on the agenda. We choose the best types of firewood, give advice on stacking logs and how to light a fire. Words Louise Allen, photographs Andrew Montgomery
What is soil? You may think you know, but there's a lot going on under your feet
Think of your garden soil as a living organism that needs gentle handling and you will reap the benefits in healthier plants, urges no-dig gardening expert Charles Dowding
Winter gardening jobs
Just because winter is here, it doesn't mean there's nothing to do in the garden. Rosie Fyles, head gardener at Chiswick House, and head gardener Benjamin Pope explain what winter gardening needs to be done
Best Boot Scrapers and Brushes in 2024
Keep your boots - and hallways - clean through the muddy seasons. Here’s our selection of the best boot scrapers and boot brushes.
How to lay a hedge
Interested in the centuries-old skill of hedge laying? Follow our guide on how to lay a hedge and learn about the traditional ways to lay a hedge. Words Louise Allen, photography Andrew Montgomery, illustration Liam McAuley
The best gardening podcasts to listen to
Whether you want to learn how to keep your houseplants alive, discover more about the National Trust’s gardens or just enjoy some lively conversation while you’re at work in the potting shed, there’s a podcast for you. We recommend seven of the best.
Make your own outdoor Christmas lights
Make your own outdoor Christmas lights for the garden this year with one of these enchanting designs. Words and styling Kristy Ramage, photography Andrew Montgomery
How to make large Christmas baubles from the garden
These baubles, made from natural materials gathered from the garden, look lovely hanging off the Christmas tree or from the mantelpiece, but are super easy to make by following our simple steps. Photography Jason Ingram. Styling by Kristy Ramage
Ideas for decorating the table for Christmas
Brighten up your Christmas table with these natural festive arrangements using evergreens and winter-flowering shrubs. Here's two simple examples to make yourself. Words and styling Bea Andrews, photography Andrew Montgomery
Make your own Christmas decorations from your garden
Festive ideas and inspiration for stylish Christmas decorations such as baubles and garlands, easily handmade at home using foraged and natural materials from the garden
How to choose a real Christmas tree
Looking to buy a real Christmas tree this year? Here's our guide on choosing the right species for you – and the three main ways that Christmas trees are grown. Photographs by Christian Barnett
How to grow pumpkins and squashes
There is a huge variety of winter squash and pumpkins out there, all easy to grow in an allotment or garden if you know how. If you want to grow pumpkins for next year, here's a few of our favourites, plus some extra advice on sowing and planting. Illustration Kerry Lemon