Country Ideas, Tips & Guides

Creating a garden is, initially, an introverted process. It takes a while to imagine a garden and to develop it into its final form. For much of that period your thoughts are just part of an evolving dream of a future reality. It takes longer to build a garden and a whole lifetime, or more, for that garden to mature. To embark on making a garden is an act of faith. The creative journey is made unique by the relationships we have with those we enlist to help us. Without other people there would be no garden. Together, we generate a great alchemical soup of ideas, we consider constraints and we discuss details that ultimately coalesce into the new garden. Landscape gardens can express themselves in myriad ways. I have always enjoyed the freedom landscaping offers to explore what the land, the people and the circumstances ultimately reveal.

The USDA recently released a new Plant Hardiness Zone Map, and although you may have used the interactive map in the past, it got its first full revamp in over a decade.

In a second building on his property in Springfield, Oregon, Gared Hansen grows mushrooms containing psilocybin, a psychedelic compound that grows naturally in the environment. Hansen harvests the mushrooms after each flush sprouts from the bins and bags in which he plants them. Everything harvested within a 24-hour window counts as a harvest batch, which he sends to a certified lab to be tested. Once approved, Hansen, the owner of Uptown Fungus, packages the mushrooms and sells them to the handful of service centers that have opened in Oregon over the past few months.

‘Marvels of Monmouthshire’ takes in the lovely scenery of this part of the world and a selection of special gardens, chosen by Sisley Garden Tours to be in their full summer glory. Many of the gardens have been featured in The English Garden magazine.

As a result of the very wet weather over the last few months, I still haven’t got around to planting the spring-flowering bulbs that I bought months ago. Is it too late to do it now? — EM, Kerry

Knowing the precise time to get annual plants into the ground and whether or not a perennial will grow in a given location is often buried in local community lore, but the US Department of Agriculture’s plant hardiness zone map is used by millions of growers to help determine which plants are likely to thrive in a location. 

An elegant wool coat for chilly winter walks, a show-stopping candelabra for the New Year tablescape, a brand new trowel or a cosy pair of cotton pyjamas: Christmas is the perfect opportunity to treat the gardener in your life to the tools, accessories and treats they’ll cherish for years to come. 

If you’re already looking ahead to spring flowers, then you’re probably also well aware that right now is the ideal time for planting bulbs.

As 2023 draws to a close, you might already have resolved to refresh the look of your home. If that means a new furniture purchase is on the horizon, you might be wondering what trends are waiting—or will be continuing—in 2024.

Christmas markets across the UK

Friluftsliv is a Norwegian concept. What is friluftsliv? The term means open-air living. Walking, cross-country skiing, hiking, fishing or just getting out into nature, all these and other in-the-wild adventures are included in the friluftsliv definition in Norway, but it is not limited to Norwegians. Might friluftsliv be something you could benefit from? Read on to learn more.

Kristin Chenoweth is no stranger to spreading joy. The multi-hyphenate singer, actress, and Tony-award-winning Broadway performer has been entertaining crowds for decades, traveling around the country and around the world to do so, often during the holiday season.

Eileen wins the holiday of a lifetime, including a luxury one-night stay at Middle Eight, a chic hotel set in bustling Covent Garden, whose streets are lined with some of the capital’s best shops and restaurants, and a night at The Guardsman, an exclusive boutique hotel just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace.

Overall Winner & Regional Winner: South West

Budock Vean has teamed up with The English Garden to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a stay in their award-winning four star hotel, worth up to £1000.

Eileen wins the holiday of a lifetime, including a luxury one-night stay at Middle Eight, a chic hotel set in bustling Covent Garden, whose streets are lined with some of the capital’s best shops and restaurants, and a night at The Guardsman, an exclusive boutique hotel just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace.

Understanding the terminology used in reference to seeds will ensure you get exactly what you want. For instance, the differences between GMO and hybrid seeds revolve around science. Add heirloom seeds to the mix and the differences become even more unknown, albeit with a more natural genesis.

Budock Vean has teamed up with The English Garden to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a stay in their award-winning four star hotel, worth up to £1000.

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The past few years have seen a return to classic decor and a desire for all things cozy. If you’re looking for the perfect marriage of heritage and homey, you might be in the market for a traditional casual home makeover.

When decorating for the holidays, it can be tempting to buy new decorations to deck out your home only for them to be thrown out the year after because they no longer fit your personal tastes. We asked pros to share their favorite budget-friendly holiday decorating tips, so you can still have a festive home for way less.

Garden for long enough and you eventually come to the inevitable realisation that for several perfectly good reasons it’s not that easy to create a memorably good winter pot display. Why not? First and foremost is the fact that unlike its summer equivalent (a completely different creature) you can’t simply stuff a winter container full of lots of frothy annuals, heat-loving, dramatic foliage plants, gauzy grasses, and showy, frost-tender perennials and then hope for the best. Instead the planting must be chosen to be resilient in the face of cold winter winds, heavy rain and frost, as well as tolerant of short days and low light levels, while somehow still being decorative enough to justify its prime position for up to six months. It’s quite the ask.

From the classic curly and flat-leaf types to unique options like Hamburg and Japanese, explore how these Different Types of Parsley Varieties can elevate your culinary creations!

Q: Now that it’s late autumn, my dahlias are starting to die back. Can I leave the plants in the ground or do I need I lift the tubers and store them in my shed for the winter? I’d much prefer the first option if possible! MD, Kilkenny

Dischidia pectinoides, an eye-catching epiphytic specimen that thrives in any indoor conditions as long as you take a little care of it, making it a great option for small spaces and new plant parents.

Sky-high interest rates, low inventory, and a competitive market have made buying a home difficult in the past few years. One solution popping up in many parts of the country is build-to-rent communities. 

It doesn't matter whether you live in a part of the country known for its breathtaking fall foliage or are surrounded by warm weather and palm trees—you can still enjoy the beauty of this season from the comfort of your own home with an array of shoppable fall foliage-inspired decor.

I first learned the fundamentals of kitchen gardening from my mother, who learned it from her father, a passing-on of traditional skills repeated down through countless generations.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of the rich and diverse culture and history of the Hispanic and Latino countries and communities. It runs from September 15th to October 15th and holds a special significance as many Central and South American countries celebrate their independence days within this timeframe, adding to the pride each country has for its unique history. In this celebration of culture, we cannot overlook the significance of traditional Hispanic foods. These dishes, with their unique blend of influences, reflect the heart and soul of Hispanic and Latino heritage. From mole in Mexico to arepas in Colombia, these culinary traditions tell a story of diversity and flavor.

Meet the Black Dragon Snake Plant: With its striking appearance and easy care, this plant is perfect for both beginners and enthusiasts.

Interior design trends come and go—two-toned kitchen cabinets? As of now, out. Incorporating natural elements? As always, in. But, there's one decorating movement that’s ridden the trend wave for years (and years) now, and we want an answer to its ultimate trendiness: farmhouse design.  After a decade of shiplap walls and barn doors saturating the interior design world, the question remains: is farmhouse still in style? Or, should you set down the distressed wood and try another trend? We asked two design experts for their thoughts. 

Moss, lichen and algae can often be found growing on the branches of established trees, shrubs and hedges, especially in rural areas of the country with high rainfall. In particular, neglected, overgrown hedges where the branches have become overcrowded and/or those that are lacking in vigour as a result of old age or poor growing conditions can be prone to mossy growth. The good news is, however, while it may look unsightly, it’s not actually doing any damage.

Fionuala Campion says in her article, Dazzling Deer-Resistant Perennials, “Though very graceful and delightful to behold in their native habitat, deer are a voracious force to reckon with in many Northern California gardens, particularly in summer and fall.” But these majestic creatures are not just an issue for gardeners on the west coast. There are populations of deer in all 50 states, and all are munching on the many different plants we’re growing across the country.

Sometimes, you see a style that’s so over the top, with so many seemingly disconnected designs, that it's a miracle everything flows together so seamlessly. Case in point: the no-holds-barred look of British pop decor. The style combines the best of today’s trending aesthetics with a healthy dose of the posh past—and like all maximalist styles, it's all about the layers.

You probably weren't aware that much of the honey found on grocery store shelves is actually fake—in some cases, it contains little to no actual honey. In fact, honey is one of the most faked foods found in our food supply today. Here's why, and how it's affecting those who produce real honey—plus what it means for all the supposed health benefits of the so-called superfood.

Q: You mentioned a while back that you were creating a flowering hedge. I would love to know what plants you picked? MF, Co Leitrim