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Growing guides

Advice

Growing Guides For UK Gardens

In-depth articles and quick how-to guides written for British soils, seasons and weather. Start with the topic you need, and use the plant care and seasonal pages when you want a quick reminder.

9 in-depth articles

Articles

  • Soil & planting

  • 6 min read

Plants that thrive on heavy clay soil

How to plant, mulch and choose perennials, shrubs and hedging that cope with heavy clay, wet winters and summer cracking.

A gardener planting a shrub into heavy clay soil with a spade

  • Hedges & boundaries

  • 6 min read

Planting a bare-root hedge, step by step

When and how to plant bare-root hedging between November and March, with spacing, aftercare and pruning advice.

Bare-root hedging plants being planted in a trench along a garden boundary

  • Wildlife gardening

  • 6 min read

Planting a pollinator-friendly border

Practical planting ideas to feed bees, hoverflies and butterflies from February to November in a British garden.

A bumblebee feeding on purple flowers in a pollinator-friendly border

  • Compost & soil

  • 5 min read

Peat-free compost: what to look for and how to use it

Why gardeners are moving to peat-free, how the mixes differ and practical tips on watering, feeding and storing them.

Bags and handfuls of peat-free multi-purpose compost on a garden bench

  • Fruit & veg

  • 7 min read

Growing tomatoes in the UK climate

A month-by-month guide to sowing, planting out, feeding and ripening tomatoes in British summers, with tips for blight.

Ripening cordon tomatoes growing up strings in a greenhouse

  • Winter care

  • 6 min read

Protecting tender plants from frost

Understanding RHS hardiness ratings and practical ways to protect tender plants, pots and tubers through British winters.

Frosted garden plants with a fleece-wrapped pot in winter

  • Bulbs & seasonal colour

  • 6 min read

Planting spring bulbs in autumn

When, where and how deep to plant daffodils, tulips, alliums, crocus and snowdrops, with tips for pots and naturalising.

Hands planting tulip bulbs into a deep hole in autumn soil

  • Containers & small spaces

  • 6 min read

Container planting for small gardens

How to choose pots, compost and plants for a patio, balcony or courtyard, with a simple recipe for beautiful combinations.

A mixed container planting of foliage and flowers on a small patio

  • Garden care

  • 6 min read

Watering wisely in a changing climate

Water-wise gardening for British summers: how much, when and where to water, plus ways to reduce how much you need.

Watering a border at the base of plants with a can in the early morning
Step by step

Quick How-To Guides

Sowing & propagation

Sowing seed in modules

A clean, easy way to raise vegetables and flowers with minimal root disturbance.

20 minutes · 6 steps

Pruning

When to prune: a simple guide

The "why before when" approach to pruning flowering shrubs, climbers and hedges.

10 minutes · 6 steps

Propagation

Dividing perennials

Free new plants and rejuvenation for tired clumps.

30 minutes · 6 steps

Propagation

Taking softwood cuttings

Multiply tender perennials and shrubs from the soft new growth of spring and early summer.

45 minutes · 6 steps

Soil & compost

Making leaf mould

Turn autumn leaves into a free soil conditioner and mulch.

15 minutes plus patience · 5 steps

Planting

Planting a container-grown tree or shrub

Give a new tree or shrub the best start with a wide hole, correct depth and a thorough watering.

30 minutes · 6 steps

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