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Take a deep dive into our gardening world.
Here our experts share their experiences and knowledge,
offering tips and inspiration across all aspects of gardening,
plant propagation and nature.
Some plants are more than just beautiful or useful – they tell stories, whisper memories, and breathe a fragrance of old times, opening our hearts. Salvias are this kind of plant.They grow in the dry uplands of the Mediterranean, in Mexican gardens, on European meadows – and in the quiet corners of our soul. With more than 1,000 different species, salvia is one of the world’s most diverse plant groups. Yet it’s not just this botanical abundance that makes it so fascinating – it’s the combination of healing, beauty, fragrance and spirituality that makes this plant so special.
Imagine your garden being full of fresh vegetables all year round. The secret? A continuous planting plan, good crop rotation and effective plant combinations. The never-ending veg plot is a concept you can apply anywhere, whether you’re growing in a raised bed, a traditional vegetable patch or a balcony garden.
A natural garden is more than just a sea of flowers in bloom – it’s a mini-oasis, full of life, where bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects can come and find food. For your garden to be a festival of floral gorgeousness this summer you need to sow the right flower seeds now. Here are some fabulous flowers you can still sow through into May!
Once we’ve got past the ‘Ice Saints’ – the cluster of saints’ days that comes in mid-May – it’s the time of year many gardeners have been longing for – when tomatoes, cucumbers and sweet peppers can finally go outdoors! These warmth-loving plants can only really be happy when the danger of night frosts is over and soil temperatures have become pleasantly warm. For them to thrive and crop abundantly you just need to bear a few things in mind.
In old weather lore, and especially in continental Europe, mid-May brings a key annual landmark for gardeners known as the ‘Ice Saints’. This is the time, so it’s said, when you might see the last cold snap in spring – and after which even your tender plants can finally go outdoors. It’s when the long winter wait finally comes to an end!
Late April onwards is the perfect time for starting squashes, courgettes and cucumbers indoors – on a windowsill or in a greenhouse. These warmth-loving species need sufficient time to develop into strong young plants before mid-May when the last frosts are over and they can be planted outdoors.
