Six on Saturday: Some Good Doers

Zinnias are easy to grow. They are half-hardy annuals, so need to be sown in the protection of a greenhouse or a propagator on a bright house windowsill in mid to late spring. Once they’re large enough to handle, prick them out individually and grow on before transplanting outdoors when all risk of frost has passed.

Succulents are surrounded by many misleading myths like ‘lots of sunshine and very little water,’ which often make succulents look stunt and yellow. This post is dedicated to make you aware and beat those misleading Succulent Myths!

Looking through my ‘garden diary’ I was surprised to be reminded that two years ago we had a group visit to the garden on 20th July – Good Grief! That meant at least three more weeks of keeping on top of deadheading and tying in, not to mention working around rearranged furniture in the house! Admittedly, I have been fairly diligent with the former, but was very relieved this year to have the kitchen and back sitting room back to ‘normal’ and get all the boxes and signs up to the loft this year – with no requests for group visits, we were able to ‘shut up shop’ after our second opening. Up to now, we have had one or two each year, even three one year, and they can be a mixed blessing although the bigger groups tend to generate a good guaranteed income from their visit.

No matter how you take it or when, coffee is a ritual. The smell of a freshly brewed pot of coffee is what jolts some people out of bed in the morning, while an after-lunch shot of espresso is the highlight of others’ afternoons.

With a fairly high chance of thunder and rain this afternoon, I took the opportunity of making a quick decision on what to focus on for today’s Six on Saturday, the meme generously hosted by Jim of Garden Ruminations. However we pronounce their name, clematis are such versatile and good value plants , with varieties flowering throughout the year, and their climbing ability enabling us to stretch the boundaries of our gardens upwards.

As you may have noticed, I’ve been on a quest to update the outdoor spaces of my home for the past few months. Beyond adding a new coat of paint, I wanted to add some decor to my fence to spruce it up a bit and add some visual interest. These DIY decorative plates are easy to make and super cheap. They will only last a season or two, but with a project this cheap and easy you’ll be happy to make a new set when needed. Follow my step-by-step tutorial below to get started today!

Summer—aka watermelon season—is officially here. While many typecast this juicy seasonal favorite as a special treat to indulge in after spending the day out in the sun, watermelon is actually full of nutrition. While there are many ways to enjoy the irresistible fruit, the latest trend is juice form—but is this popular juice fad actually good for you or just another sugar-laden health gimmick? Here’s what to know.

It has always seemed to me that daikon radish is one of the easiest fall crops to grow. Sometimes I’ve sown seeds and forgotten about them, only to return to large white roots.We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we

The warm weather is here and that means it's time to pull out your fans, dehumidifiers, and air conditioners. If you aren't blessed with central air in your home, then you are all too familiar with the yearly task of finding the right cooling appliances and positioning them just so as to ensure you stay cool in all areas of your home.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently lists 156 species of bees as vulnerable, 20 as endangered, and 11 as critically endangered globally. While those numbers are concerning, there are almost 20,000 different species of bees; in the United States alone, there are around 3,500 species. It’s important to keep these big numbers in mind while focusing on the specific species that need protection.

A new national survey from the Harris Poll shows 94% of Americans agree that trees are good for the planet. 

Despite doing as many tasks as possible in advance of our first summer garden opening of the year tomorrow, there will always be things that can only be done nearer the time – and not just deadheading! There is furniture to be rearranged to create our pop-up café, signs to erect in the garden, cups and plates to be brought down from the loft and a whole host of other things. Having toiled since I first got up this morning, I didn’t realise till part way through the afternoon, towards the end of deadheading the roses yet again, just how tired I was (not helped by the steadily increasing temperature), so I permitted myself a break  and sat down on the shady bench behind the shed. This vantage point provides a pleasing panoramic view (partially shown above), taking in the gallery and (well-stuffed) main borders, the bronze heuchera bed, the clematis colonnade and the fringe of the woodland edge border.