Dealing With Couch Grass

Dealing with couch grass is a problem that most gardeners and allotment holders will have to face at one time or another. This common weed can not only be invasive, it also prevents seeds from other plants germinating. It looks like a normal grass on the surface, but it’s underground that the problems get real. The roots form a dense, almost impenetrable barrier. It spreads in a number of ways, root division, runners and occasionally by seed. Couch Grass Spreads Rapidly All it takes is one extremely small section of the white rhizome to lay on top of the soil… → Read More

How To Make A Worm Farm

I’ve been looking into how to make a worm farm for some time now, and I thought I’d share my research and set up with you. First let’s look into why make a worm farm, as this is a question I’m sure many will be asking. Why Make A Worm Farm? What are the benefits of making a worm farm and what are the benefits of keeping worms? Valid questions, which I’ll attempt to answer as fully as I can. First let’s look at worms and what they do. How Do Worms Benefit The Garden? In an effort to keep… → Read More

How To grow Tomatoes From Tomatoes

Back in June, I got some cherry plum tomatoes from a local store and they were particularly tasty. There was no variety on the packaging and I really wanted to grow my own. That got me thinking is it possible to grow tomatoes from tomatoes. I’ve saved my own seed for years now with great success, but that requires drying out the seed etc… So my plan was to actually just bury slices of tomato in soil and hope they sprout. This is the story of my journey and how it went. For tips on how to save seed click… → Read More

Hoverflies What Are They And Why Are They Important

If you’ve ever seen a bee with no stinger, and wondered why it’s still alive and flying, It’s because it’s probably a hoverfly. Hoverflies have the same markings as bees and some wasps, and even mimic certain behavioural patterns associated with bees. So what are hoverflies? and why are they so important? Hoverflies What Are They And Why Are They Important Video What Are Hoverflies? Hoverflies are a species of fly found everywhere in the world apart from Antarctica. They are of the family Syrphidae and are also known as syrphid flies and flower flies. Do Hoverflies Sting? Although they… → Read More

Companion Planting Coriander (Cilantro)

Apparently there are 2 types of people those who like coriander and those who can’t stand it, I fall into the second category. That doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the benefits of companion planting coriander (cilantro). There are some interesting qualities to coriander so read on to find out more. Companion Planting Coriander Coriander (cilantro) is a versatile herb and both the leaves and seeds are used in the kitchen. Companion planting coriander (cilantro) will help to keep aphids away from your plants. Allow coriander to flower to attract bees, hoverflies and other useful pollinators to your garden. What To… → Read More

Companion Plants – A Quick Guide To Assisting Nature

Companion plants, it’s like the new buzz word, but what does it mean? How does it work? And why bother? That’s what this post is all about, the what, how, and why of companion planting. With a few examples along the way. Let’s get straight into it. What Are Companion Plants? In a nut shell, companion plants are plants that are grown close together for their mutual or singular benefit. For instance, growing basil in with tomatoes will improve the growth and flavour of the tomatoes, and repel many pests too. Another example is growing the 3 sisters method as… → Read More

Companion Planting Fennel

Most herbs are a useful ally to the organic gardener, but there is one that is the exception to that rule. That one is fennel, which is a shame because fennel is a great plant for keeping pests away. So let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of companion planting fennel. Companion Planting Fennel There are so many plants that won’t grow anywhere near fennel that it’s best to keep it away from pretty much everything. That said, there are a few worth mentioning so read on for some of the more interesting effects of companion planting fennel. The following… → Read More

Herbs In Vegtrug

I have the medium vegtrug, which is the largest one they make but looking through their brochure, they actually make a vegtrug herb garden. In fact they make 2 (more later), this got me thinking. It’s time to explore growing herbs in vegtrug. What Is Vegtrug? This company that appears to have bases in the UK and the US, manufacture wooden planters to a high standard. They are easy to assemble and constructed of treated wood that is safe to grow food in. There are a number of different planters available but we’re going to concentrate on their herb garden…. → Read More

Companion Planting Parsley

Most plants either give or receive some benefit from being planted in companion with others. Not all plants, there are some exceptions but generally plants do better when planted together. Companion planting parsley is no exception so read on for what to grow with parsley and what not to grow with parsley. Companion Planting Parsley There are 2 main types of parsley, flat leaf parsley, and curly parsley. There are also 5 main varieties of parsley and all originated in Europe. Parsley is a biennial plant so it will give out it’s benefits for 2 seasons. Don’t just take my… → Read More

What Does It Mean When Strawberries Don’t Flower?

You spend ages researching the type of strawberry plant you’d like to grow. Wait for them to come through the post, or appear in the garden centre. Get them home, plant them, but they don’t flower, what does it mean when strawberries don’t flower? You made sure the soil conditions were right by adding compost or well rotted manure, watered your plants as needed. But all you have to show for your hard work is leaves, healthy green leaves, but no flowers. What Does It Mean When Strawberries Don’t Flower? To fully answer this question we need to look at… → Read More