Much has been written about the benefits of gardening itself when dealing with grief — the physical activity, the time outdoors, the quiet focus of practical tasks. Less attention is given to the garden in it’s own right, and how difficult it can feel to re-engage with it following a bereavement.   I understand how easy it is for a garden to slip away after a loss. The person who did the lion’s share of the physical work, or who acted as the director; knowing which plant was

You Know Your Garden Needs Something… But What? Does something feel a bit “meh” about your garden?  Maybe certain plants are getting out of hand or some areas are kind of bare. Perhaps despite frequent visits to the garden centre it’s just… disappointing. You might have specific ideas but you’re not sure they’ll work, or you might just have a sense that this space could be better . That’s where my Garden Advice  can help.   What Is Garden Advice? Garden Advice is for people w

“Garden Maintenance” is such an over-used term, and I admit, I use it myself. But when I stop to think about it, it doesn’t really make any sense. Maintenance suggests keeping something as is, upholding the status quo. But rarely do gardens stay still. And neither should they in my opinion. They’re not museum exhibits, it’s their growth and evolution that makes them special. I suppose those achingly modern outdoor spaces with ice-white patios and plastic grass might be an exc

Before I became a gardener I worked for several charities and organisations for older people, including Age UK and Independent Age. A...

Most of my client’s are over 75. A fair few are over 80 and one is in her 90’s. They’re all still active to varying degrees, and employ...

Moving house is one of life’s most stressful events and leaving a garden can be just as heartbreaking as leaving the house itself. For...

If your garden seems a little weary this year, it’s not your imagination. The unusually sunny, dry Spring and now Summer, has definitely...

If you’re putting up the Christmas decorations this weekend give a thought to some of the plants that regularly adorn our houses at this...

For centuries plants have played a significant role in myths and folklore, here are 3 plants with dark histories intertwined with...