Author Archives: thegreygardeners

Welcome to our first blog about taking part in the world’s most prestigious gardening Show, the landscape Olympics, otherwise known as the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. We have had the privilege of creating six gardens at Chelsea (three of which won the BBC People’s Choice Award), all with strong messages and all using British nativeContinue reading “Chelsea Chat – Wild at heart”

With the way the weather has been this year, particularly with the heavy snow much of the country has had over the past few days and with temperatures set to plummet there’s no particular incentive to go outside other than to make snowmen, so spend some time thinking about what you want from your gardenContinue reading “Gardening Jobs for February”

Here we are in the middle of January, Christmas has come and gone, temperatures have dropped and once again we are stuck at home. Take heart! There are plenty of positives to help us feel hopeful in the garden. The evenings are slowly drawing out again, we can almost work until 4.30pm outside before itContinue reading “Wintery Wonders – Lose the January Blues”

Here we are at the start of another year and as we go into another national lockdown here in the UK us gardeners can take solace in the comfort of our gardens. This year, more than ever, our gardens will continue to be important sanctuaries for our mental health. We can see the light ofContinue reading “Gardening Jobs for January”

One of our favourite horticultural jobs at this time of year must be choosing our Christmas tree. Christmas trees have been around since medieval times in parts of Europe, especially in Germany, but they weren’t introduced into the UK until the early 1800s by Queen Charlotte of Mecklenberg-Streilz, the wife of King George III andContinue reading “Choosing and Caring for your Christmas Tree”

Clear the remainder of the leaves, most would have come down already. Last to come down are normally weeping willow leaves followed by the alders. As with last month make sure your tender plants are protected, either fleeced or brought indoors. You shouldn’t need to do any hoeing but if you do get the urgeContinue reading “Gardening Jobs for December”

As we go into various degrees of lockdown, once again our gardens are becoming more and more important places to keep us sane. It’s a shame the weather is not as glorious as it was during the first lockdown but at least this time the garden centres are still open. “November’s sky is chill andContinue reading “Gardening Jobs for November”

Thanks to a nice bit of high pressure over our part of the country, the start of October looks like it’s going to remain dry and sunny, at least for the moment. Cool nights and sunny, blue-sky days are great conditions for showing off the autumnal leaf colours at their best. There’s still lots ofContinue reading “Gardening Jobs for October”

Make some notes on the position of your herbaceous perennials in your borders. Now is a good time to think about where to move them to later on in the autumn if you are not happy with their current position or height in the border etc. It is always a good idea to mark themContinue reading “Gardening Jobs for September”

Well, August already, where does the time go. We always find August a bit depressing as autumn is on the way and all those darker evenings aren’t far behind. Combine harvesters come out, herbaceous perennials are starting to die back and leaves are starting to loose their lovely verdant green colour. But don’t despair weContinue reading “Gardening Jobs for August”