Gardeners' Heaven

by Lindsey Gray As September widens the gap between Summer and Autumn, memories of long balmy evenings fade like the suntans they attracted and our thoughts turn to bonfires and fireworks. If, like me, you love a good excuse for a party then Halloween will probably feature pretty prominently on your social calendar.  An outdoor [...]

by Alan Titchmarsh What could be nicer, when you’re out and about in the summer hols, than to drop in at a pretty country pub for a relaxing beer, or perhaps lunch – sitting outside in the garden if it’s sunny? In the rush to visit stately homes, flower shows and gardens-open, we tend to [...]

Ever wished you just had an extra room in the house ?  Somewhere you could throw the kids/other half while you concentrate on the job in hand ? Or better still, somewhere you could escape to, slipping away unnoticed from the daily grind for a few stolen moments of peace and quiet? Those lucky enough [...]

by Alan Titchmarsh It’s not enough for plants just to sit around looking pretty. Oh no. Nowadays our little green chums need to make themselves useful too. That’s why herbs are so popular; their compact shapes, flowers and fragrance are a delight in the garden, and their sophisticated good-taste works wonders in the kitchen. But [...]

The rest of the nation are now waking up to what allotment gardeners and greenhouse owners have known for a long time – growing your own really does save you money. With news this week that the cost of tomatoes is set to rise this summer by as much as 60 per cent, now is [...]

Men. Now you’ve got the hang of your grill and can produce a reasonable meal on it along with true adulation that such an achievement deserves (women everywhere roll their eyes), it’s time to learn a few top tips to keeping it in tip top condition. There are lots of expensive bottles produced with the [...]

It’s  BBQ time so if you’ve got it, flaunt it! Nothing says “sunny day” more than the smell of a sizzling bbq on a hot afternoon or a warm evening,  but once you get used to cooking outdoors, or “grilling” as the Americans call it, you’ll be doing it in all weathers. If you’re a [...]

Free up your cooker at Christmas ! It might seem a long way off, but Christmas is just another great reason for investing in a barbecue today! Let’s face it, we all could do with an extra shelf in the cooker at Christmas. With the turkey, roast potatoes, parsnips to cook,  plates and dishes to [...]