Despite organising Britain’s largest tree hug, Coventrians are unable to prevent 26 big old trees getting the final chop-chop In the largest scientific study of its kind, Coventry demonstrated that when the council is out to build you some roads, a tree hug isn’t going to change that, even a really big one. Coventry Council are… Continue reading Tree Hugging Ineffective, Studies Show
Habitat Aid Hedge Planting Video
Habitat Aid is our all-time favourite, award-winning, impact driven, Somerset based business founded in 2008, and their hedge planting video is educationally inspirational Native hedge plants are proven to be tough as cookies made of brass monkeys, and Habitat Aid demonstrate how rough and ready you can be with them. Hawthorn in particular is absurdly… Continue reading Habitat Aid Hedge Planting Video
Belfast’s Phantom Fruit Tree Planter
We don’t need to sell anyone here on the virtues of masks and dogs, but joining a Paramilitree organisation at my age seemed impossible “Ah, go on” says the Phantom Planter in a musical Irish voice, “you will, you will” All you need is the dogs, safety masks, your mate Dave with a spade, and… Continue reading Belfast’s Phantom Fruit Tree Planter
How to Rake Gravel Masterclass
Being a Rake-y Master in the garden looks easy when you see a professional Irishman on the job, but it’s a gravely serious task The secret to lush, flowing gravel that wows and pleases is to start with natural, smooth gravel, and then to give it a regular raking. In the good old days, gravel… Continue reading How to Rake Gravel Masterclass
Surrey Schoolkids Publish Tree Book
“The Thousand Year Tree,” a book featuring children’s artwork from Surrey, was published after a year-long project by Lucy Reynolds and Katie Hickey. Funded by Defra’s Access for All fund, it aims to raise awareness about the conservation of mature trees. Educational Outreach The Surrey Hills Society took Weyfield Primary Academy students to Newlands Corner… Continue reading Surrey Schoolkids Publish Tree Book
You Won’t Believe the Difference Between These Hedges
At home, we are used to formal evergreen hedges exactly like this yew one: In coun’ryside, we have perfectly maintained native hedges, probably laid by heartthrob layer, Paul A. Lamb. If you don’t have him handy, friends and family will have to do; it will tire them out beautifully by tea time: So how does… Continue reading You Won’t Believe the Difference Between These Hedges
What Are the Plants of Christmas?
Traditional is what you make it at the end of the day, but green and red is the classic theme, and in late December your suitable plant options are limited. Only evergreens are in leaf, and few plants are flowering in the house or in the garden; florists can source flowers from greenhouses. Norway Spruce… Continue reading What Are the Plants of Christmas?
Chadderton Plants Community Orchard for Giants
Making Community Orchards work is blooming tough, and it helps if you start with the right size trees We are in full armchair gardener mode on this one. Granby Street in Chadderton, Greater Manchester, is bravely attempting a community orchard, the first of 4 planned in the area. Community Orchards, like communities in general, are usually… Continue reading Chadderton Plants Community Orchard for Giants
Chelsea Garden Shows for 2025
Garden design is inherently divisive: different gardens please various tastes, and serve a range of purposes from practical to political. What to choose? The best way to consider anything serious, according to kings and queens of yore, is to drink on it, and to think on it, on separate days.That’s a useful approach if you’re… Continue reading Chelsea Garden Shows for 2025
Urban Fruit Growing: Soft Fruit Edition
Wiltshire-based garden designer Dan Combes wonders why there aren’t more berries, especially in urban areas and their small gardens where a fruit tree might be too big Over the last the weeks, I have planted thousands of bulbs: all inedible. But why (London, I’m talking to you especially) am I not being asked to plant… Continue reading Urban Fruit Growing: Soft Fruit Edition