Thompson & Morgan Gardening Blog

Our gardening blog covers a wide variety of topics, including fruit, vegetable and tree stories. Read some of the top gardening stories right here.

Propagation, planting out and cultivation posts from writers that know their subjects well.

Featured Gardener: Luke Newnes

A smiling, bald man with a beard kneeling in a garden, gesturing with open hands towards a bed of purple and pink flowers.

Image courtesy of Luke Newnes

When Luke from @man_about_gardening moved into a new-build home in Shropshire, the garden was just a blank canvas. With curiosity and a lot of trial and error, he and his wife have transformed it into a cottage-style haven full of roses, dahlias, foxgloves and pollinator-friendly plants. From the central fountain to the vibrant companion planting, every corner bursts with life, colour and family memories. Discover how gardening became his passion and his top tip for making a small garden feel much bigger… 

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How British gardeners are future-proofing their spaces: T&M survey 2025

Trio coral pink roses

According to our survey, roses are the nation’s favourite blooms
Image: Rose ‘Coral Garden’ from Thompson & Morgan

Thompson & Morgan’s latest survey of 1,362 gardeners offers a timely glimpse into what’s inspiring UK growers right now. 

From favourite flowers to climate-ready choices, the findings highlight those trends that have shaped our gardens this season and will carry us into 2026. Whether you’re planning a small refresh or eyeing up new varieties, these insights offer helpful inspiration…

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How to choose the best bare root roses

Group of pink roses

Image: Rose ‘Raspberry Cupcake’ (Hybrid Tea) from Thompson & Morgan

Late autumn to early spring is the UK’s bare root season, and it’s the best time to buy and plant roses. Lifted from the field while dormant, bare root roses are a cost-effective way to fill your garden with scent and colour. 

This year, our horticultural team has introduced a wide choice of new and special varieties to T&M’s bare root rose collection. Whether you’re looking for a bush, climbing, hybrid tea or floribunda rose, learn more about the new and exciting bare root varieties that you can snap up now, ahead of container season…

Browse our full range of bare root roses for inspiration.

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Featured Gardener: Mandy Bradshaw

Close-up bouquet of fiery orange and red dahlias.

Image courtesy of ©thechattygardener.com

Mandy (@thechattygardener) wanted to be a journalist from the age of seven, but had no idea that her ambition would blossom into a career in garden writing and photography. Ten years after launching her inspirational blog, this award-winning journalist still spends as much time as possible outdoors. 

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Featured Gardener: Kate Smith

Smiling gardener holding an armful of pastel snapdragons against a brick wall and green door.

Image courtesy of Kate Smith

When Kate Smith from @homegrown_blooms experimented with a few Halloween pumpkin seeds, she had no idea that it would snowball into a thriving veg patch filled with tomatoes, potatoes, sprouts and lettuce. But it was when she started sowing flower seeds that something really clicked – the colours, the movement, the way they cheer you up in a matter of minutes… Find out why growing flowers is where the magic happens for Kate. 

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Featured Gardener: Sammy Stringer

Close up of Samantha Stringer holding a pink dahlia

Image courtesy of Sammy Stringer

When Sammy (@insammysgarden_) bought her first home in 2019, she had zero gardening experience. Fast forward a few years and she’s transformed her corner-plot garden into a cottage-style haven filled with dahlias, foxgloves, and pollinator-friendly plants – and even picked up medals at RHS and BBC Gardeners’ World Live shows. Discover how she went from beginner to award winner, and why her next challenge is creating a 100% pink paradise at home…

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7 plants to brighten up your balcony this winter

Pink heathers growing in containers

Winter heathers add splashes of colour to containers over winter
Image: Shutterstock

What better way to brighten up the dark and gloomy months of winter than by planting a balcony full of colourful winter-flowering shrubs and bedding plants? 

Here are seven of our favourites, all of which are suitable for planting in patio pots and containers. Winter may be upon us but, with this little collection, your balcony will be a beacon of loveliness to brighten even the gloomiest of grey days. For more ideas on bringing a splash of colour into your home and garden, browse the information and advice over at our winter flowers hub page.

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Grow your own onion sets and save money

onion sturon from Thompson & Morgan

Grow your own onions to help save money
Image: Onion ‘Sturon’ (Spring Planting) from Thompson & Morgan

There’s never been a better time to plant your own onion sets. Easy-to-grow and full of flavour, home-grown onions are often bigger than those in the shops and they store exceptionally well too. Best of all, they’re great value for money.

Depending on the time of year, you’ll need to choose from autumn-planting or spring-planting onion sets. Here’s a quick summary of each…

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Featured Gardener: Christina Carpenter

woman kneeling next to a planter of flowering bulbs

Image courtesy of Christina Carpenter

When Christina Carpenter moved into her Devonshire home two years ago, the garden was a complete blank canvas. Since then, Christina (also known as @lady_green_fingers) has transformed it into a vibrant, wildlife-friendly space bursting with flowers, homegrown veg, and unique upcycled projects. Discover how she created a tranquil haven for herself and the occasional hedgehog…

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How to choose the best pots for container gardening

container planting

There are many ways to create a garden, and you don’t need acres of space, tonnes of soil or a green lawn to do it. A few carefully chosen pots, troughs, planters, windowboxes and raised beds will quickly transform a bland space into a mini oasis or a productive veg patch. And, if you live in a rental property, you can take them all with you when you leave.

Browse our full range of containers and plant pots for more inspiration.

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Meet the experts

The T&M blog has a wealth of knowledgeable contributors. Find out more about them on our "Meet the experts" page.

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