Over the years, many herbaceous perennials grow into impressive clumps. But at some point a typical picture appears: the plant becomes bare in the middle, flowering declines, and overall it looks less vigorous. No cause for concern, quite the…

When the days grow shorter and the nights cooler, the time of plenty begins in the garden: ripe plums almost fall from the tree by themselves, elderberries turn a deep violet and apples pile up in baskets. It is the loveliest time of year for…

Late summer is a quiet beauty, but also a critical time for many beneficial insects. While most garden flowers fade and the fruit harvest slowly comes to an end, wild bees, bumblebees, butterflies, hoverflies and birds are looking for the last…

Late summer is a time of plenty: tomatoes hang heavy and plump on the plants, the beans climb up lushly, and courgettes and squash pile up in the basket. Everything seems to ripen at once, and the day still has only 24 hours. As great as the joy of…

Have you ever seen some perennials come into full bloom a second time after being cut back in summer? This little garden miracle is made possible by the so-called repeat-flowering cut , a simple but effective care measure that keeps your garden…

Table of Contents 1. The Poppy Family (Papaveraceae) 2. The Most Fascinating Poppies in Portrait 3. Poppies in the Garden: Tips for Growing & Care 4. Magic, Symbolism & History 5. Poppies: Between Kitchen, Medicine & Culture 6. Magic Garden Seeds &…

Many gardeners use indoor sowing as a reliable method for bringing tender or warmth-loving plants through the season. All it takes is a bit of planning, careful timing and a little patience – and soon you’ll have your own home-grown supply of strong…

It’s first thing in the morning, and you’re taking a leisurely stroll through the garden, coffee cup in hand – when you see that it’s happened yet again: those lovingly planted lettuce seedlings have disappeared, with just a chewed edge left behind.…

Why you should learn to love the silent eight-legged residents of your garden Spiders are probably among the most underrated garden residents. While some people reflexively carry them out of the house or are disgusted by them, they are almost…

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…

Salad leaves are a truly multi-talented garden crop – they can be tender, spicy or crispy, ranging from classic lettuces and rocket salad across an astonishing range of different varieties, leaf shapes and flavours. Some are great for growing a quick…

Have you heard of mulching? Maybe you’ve seen the ground in a garden or park covered with bark mulch, straw or grass clippings. But what’s this done for? And how can you use it in your own garden? Mulching is a simple but effective technique that will…