Gardening Advice & Blogs

General tips on sowing seeds

Every seed will have particular requirements so do check the packet for specific details.  However, here are a few general guidelines to help your seeds get off to the best start. Water the compos...

Time to sow seeds!

January is a great time to plan your garden for the coming year.  You can reflect on what grew well during the last year and think about any planting gaps that need filling.  It is one of life’s li...

What (not) to plant in December

We have to be honest, December isn’t a great time for planting much in the ground as it’s often too cold and certainly there’s not much daylight around for anything to get established.  Anything th...

Hambrooks on houseplants

As with everything in life, houseplants have come into and gone out of fashion many times over the years, although they are certainly having a ‘moment’ now.  What we choose to grow in our homes has...

What to sow in November - broad beans

Arguably, sowing seeds at this time of year can get you a head start on next spring.  However, the reality is that – unless you have somewhere frost-free to keep your tender, newly-sprouted seedlin...

What to plant in October - Roses

October is a great time to plant many trees and shrubs, including roses.  The ground is likely to still have some warmth in it, to allow the plant to start to establish before the winter cold, and ...

Seven great uses of gravel or chippings in your garden

Gravel and stone chippings – known in the business as ‘decorative aggregates’ – are possibly the most under-rated of building materials!  They have so many uses we think every garden needs some.  T...

How to plant a tree or shrub

Autumn is a great time to plant trees or shrubs.  The ground shouldn’t be too wet, too dry or too cold (but just right, like Goldilock’s porridge!).  It’s a time when most foliage is starting to di...