4 d. ago Clay, silty or sandy? Testing your soil type is an essential part of becoming a good gardener

Loamy soil is the holy grail, but all types can be improved by adding organic matterI often mention my veg patch’s clay soil in this column, and that’s because soil type affects what we grow and how. Getting to know your soil is an essential part of becoming a great grower of edible plants. Soil type is determined by the size of the soil’s particles which, in turn, determine its characteristics.Sandy soil has the largest particles, which means it is light, easy to work, lets water drain through it freely and warms up quickly in spring. This also means that sandy soil dries out easily, isn’t as water retentive as other types and tends to be low in nutrients as they wash through it. Continue reading...

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4 d. ago Gardeners urged to plant plastic forks in soil for crucial reason

If you have a plastic fork left over from your Saturday night takeaway, there's no need to throw it away. Experts reveal that they can actually be extremely helpful in your garden

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7 d. ago Gardeners urged to keep old milk cartons for very important reason

As we move into spring, many of us will be thinking about getting back into the garden - and there's a handy use for spoiled old milk that can help your plants thrive.

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9 d. ago Gardeners urged to scatter ripped up teabags in their garden

Gardeners are being urged to take their teabags outside and rip them up in the garden for this vital reason

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1 week ago Gardeners advised to make urgent soil check with 35p kitchen staple

Gardeners to check their soil pH before planting this spring using a household kitchen staple that will determine if the soil is acidic or alkaline - and it doesn’t cost more than 50p.

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2 w. ago Gardeners told to scatter sweetcorn around bird feeders for an important reason

Helping out our feathered friends is easy - and you don't even need to buy bird seed

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3 w. ago Gardening expert shares unexpected reason you should never touch a daffodil

Avid gardener Adam Kirtland, who shares his tips on social media and his podcast View From The Potting Bench, says daffodils have a number of hidden properties that people should be aware of

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3 w. ago Reason why gardeners told to place lemons in soil immediately this spring

The gardening experts at Mimea explain that there are a number of benefits to using lemons in your garden, including changing the acidity of your soil and repelling pests

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3 w. ago Gardeners told to place lemons in soil immediately this spring

When life gives you lemons, make compost. A gardening expert reveals three handy ways you can use leftover lemon peel this spring to spruce up your garden and help grow your plants

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3 w. ago Gardeners urged to plant eight flowers in April for critical reason

April is known as the crossroads between cold winter-like weather and the warmth of spring - and these eight flowers are a must in gardens if you want to encourage bees.

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3 w. ago Sow this seed before the end of March for delicious results in your garden

Get to work this weekend with key jobs of the season including spring cleaning your borders, feeding soil and planting your veg outside

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