Stephen Clarke

My seeds have come up, what do I do now?? Stage Two

When your seedlings are becoming crowded and the roots are starting to show through the bottom of the pot, tray or module they are ready to prick out. This is a ‘technical term’ used in horticulture and basically refers to the method of teasing the little... Read >

My seeds have come up, what do I do now?? Stage One

Growing plants from seed is one of the most satisfying processes in gardening. There is little more exciting than watching a small brown speck start to sprout and develop green leaves. The variety of leaf shape and even colours is amazing. But getting the... Read >

Buying your first horse

If you are a keen rider, then owning your own horse is sure to be your dream. However, there are a number of things that you need to take into consideration when buying a horse. Owning a horse not only requires lots of your time but can also be very expen... Read >

How do I grow courgettes?

Courgettes are one of the easiest and prolific vegetables to grow in your garden. If you have a greenhouse you can get a real head start growing this versatile crop. The first thing you need is the right kind of seed. Ideally buy some fresh seed mail or... Read >

How can I keep my greenhouse cool in hot weather?

To keep your greenhouse at a consistent and comfortable temperature during the hot summer months you need to plan ahead. Good ventilation in a greenhouse is essential to keep the temperature as consistent as possible without too many extreme highs and ext... Read >

Can I grow fruit in my greenhouse?

The greenhouse is the perfect place to grow a variety of fruit. In fact some fruit such as greenhouse grapes will positively thrive in the warmer environment under glass that mimics the Mediterranean conditions they are used to. But even less exotic fr... Read >

What’s the best way to water my greenhouse?

The very best way to water a greenhouse is to install an outside tap outside the greenhouse and also inside to provide a mains supply for use on your plants. While it is far more sustainable and eco friendly to collect rainwater from the greenhouse roof v... Read >

Greenhouse Shading

A greenhouse is positioned in the garden to make the most of natural sunlight. In winter especially when the light is low, the glass panels accentuate the rays providing protected plants with precious sunlight. As the season progresses and the daylight ho... Read >

Rose Care

An English garden just wouldn't be the same without a rose bush or two. But some gardeners choose not to grow these quintessential garden flowers believing that they are too high maintenance or too prone to disease. Some rose varieties do indeed succum... Read >

A handful of ripe strawberries

Strawberries Strawberries are one of the easiest crops to grow, great for children and very rewarding. Plant them now for great results for many years to come. How to do it Buy top quality plants and specially named varieties from a good garden c... Read >

Garden Lavender

Hailed as a muscle relaxant, antidepressant, insect repellent, anti fungal and antiseptic, it's no wonder that lavender has won a firm place in our hearts, not to mention in our gardens. Lavender is not a native plant of these shores, but it has been g... Read >

Greenhouse Whitefly

The warmer weather brings much more than fair weather gardeners out into the garden and greenhouse. It's the perfect conditions for pests to thrive and multiply. Indoors and out our plants are under constant threat by a number of sap sucking bugs. Whit... Read >

Greenhouse calendar

With the arrival of summer, the greenhouse enters a new phase of productivity. It's role as nursery for countless seedlings and tender plants is now drawing to an end as the majority of juvenile plants are planted out into the borders and vegetable patche... Read >

Beans Galore

If you only have room to grow one vegetable this season make it runner beans. They are very easy to grow from seed. You can grow them in tubs, planters or even sow them direct in the ground and the best bit is that you'll get masses of pods from just a ha... Read >

Greenhouse Temperature Control

The internal temperature of the greenhouse can become an obsession for the greenhouse gardener. Through the winter and early spring the glasshouse owner becomes fixated on keeping the temperature above freezing to protect their precious plants. A whole ar... Read >