The Helpful Gardener

16/10/2026

Redesigning the front garden in our new home was a fast fix. The existing plants had either outgrown the space or I simply didn't like them. So they all came out - with the help of a friend with a chainsaw 🫣

With a tiny space, make sure you only have plants you love.

This is our only space in full sun, so it will be an eventual home to a lot of our sun loving plants in containers, still being cared for by a friend. Pots of Agapanthus and blueberries yet to move in!

Then it was a case of paving slab jigsaw. Moving the slabs around to create a decent sized planting space for the pretty plants I wanted. I was keen to have a combination of Gaura lindheimeri and lavender and other plants added in have kept to the pink and purple colour scheme.

Another tip for a tiny space is to keep to a very limited colour palette. This helps to create a scheme that is easy on the eye.

We found an old chimney pot in the back garden (a much bigger project) perfect to add height and year-round structure. Also hides the spot where the conifer was removed

11/09/2026

Patty Pan, you beauty. Worth the wait 😊

06/09/2026

Early Sunday morning on the allotment, very peaceful and beautiful.
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21/07/2026

If you'd like a garden consultation like Cordova and Ollie, let me know!
Each session is tailored to your needs and includes follow up notes so you have a record of all the advice given

21/07/2026

If you've moved to a new garden or need ideas for transforming your existing space, a garden consultation may be what you need.
Yesterday I met Cordova and Ollie. We discussed how to develop their garden from mostly lawn, great when the kids were young, to a space that they will enjoy as a couple with their dog.
I gave them lots of advice on how to care for existing plants, ideas for new ones, sources for plants, improving sustainability and a new layout with generous new borders.
If you are interested in a garden consultation, do get in touch.

11/06/2026

This is what can happen when you don't mow your lawn. So many beautiful species of grasses and flowers.

This year, like the past few years, my clients like to just have a path mown through the grass until the autumn.

I mowed the grass twice in spring to cut back after winter, this gives it a good start, then apart from the strip of path, it's left until around October when I cut it back so it's not a sodden mass over winter. The only thing I remove is the cherry saplings.

Less work for humans, improved habitat for wildlife

This has taken a number of years to get this good!

05/04/2026

Seedling tip: if your windowsills are too narrow for seedtrays, then position on a table near a window. I saw another hint about using a shoe rack in front of patio doors, also a good idea.

The trays get all the light but not the extremes of temperature if they were right by the window, so it's much better for seed germination and development.

Happy Easter 💐

03/03/2026

26/02/2026

Signs of spring

30/01/2026

Snowdrops give that little bit of hope, often the first new flowers to appear in the garden in January. I've never had much joy planting from bulbs, so follow old advice and split a clump when the flowers have started fading and share with your friends. The flowers will spread and come back for many years