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: 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…

Best autumn-planting onion sets

onion mixed red white & brown

A mixed collection of autumn-planting onions gives you a good selection
Image: Onion Mixed Red, White & Brown (Autumn Planting) from Thompson & Morgan

Thompson & Morgan’s autumn-planting onion sets are hardy varieties that have been bred for overwintering in UK conditions. Best planted out in September and October while the soil is still warm, they’ll be ready to harvest from June, two months earlier than spring-planted sets.

If you have limited space and want to keep your veg patch as productive as possible, autumn-planting onions can be harvested as soon as you need to make room for other crops.

I like to order several types of autumn-planting onion sets and get a head start on next year’s growing season. Onion ‘Senshyu’ is a reliable Japanese variety, while onion ‘Snowball’ is a bright white bulb that stores well. If you’re looking for a red onion, ‘Akado‘ is an excellent choice.

Best spring-planting onion sets

onion stuttgarter giant

This popular variety is chosen for excellent flavour
Image: Onion ‘Stuttgarter Giant’ (Spring Planting) from Thompson & Morgan

Thompson & Morgan’s spring-planting onion sets have been specially heat-treated for 20 weeks to help prevent summer bolting and extend their growth period, leading to bigger yields and bigger bulbs at the end of the season. Planted out in March and April, they’re usually ready to harvest from August.

Onions harvested in late summer can be prepared for storage and used right through the winter. If small, expensive supermarket onions won’t cut it for you this season, try a large variety like ‘Stuttgarter Giant’ (yellow) for its uniform bulb shape, full flavour and long storage qualities. The subtle flavour and aroma of onion ‘Rosanna’ is a great addition to the mix and, if you want to add a more vivid flash of colour to salads and stir fries, ‘Red Baron’ is a good choice.

For more information about growing onions, take a look at our onion, garlic and shallot advice hub where you’ll find articles, videos and lots of top tips. And if you want to learn how to grow onions from seeds, read our helpful guide.

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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Gardening Grant Helps Community Garden Thrive

MindSpace Stamford Wellbeing Garden

Image courtesy of MindSpace Stamford

To celebrate our 170th birthday, we created the Grow Your Garden Grant – a £250 voucher to support a UK charity, community group, school or gardening club with their growing goals. This year’s winner, MindSpace Stamford, used the grant to support their Wellbeing Garden – a peaceful space where gardening helps nurture community connection and mental wellbeing.

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Featured Gardener: Michelle Washington-Jenkins

Woman holding a large bouquet of purple flowers in a polytunnel.

Image courtesy of Michelle Washington-Jenkins

After a career in dance and co-founding a talent agency, Michelle Washington-Jenkins stepped back to raise her three children – and unearthed a passion for gardening. Today, she’s a trained horticulturist, professional flower grower and the digital creator known as @floriansbotanical, sharing her love of seasonal blooms from her beautiful Victorian walled garden in Hampshire. Discover how Michelle built a flower-filled life from scratch – and why her greenhouse is the beating heart of both her growing and creativity.

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Natural pest control masterclass: Best expert tips

Ladybird on purple flower

Ladybirds benefit your garden as they feed on aphids
Image: Ladybirds (25 adults) and Ladybird Larvae (pack of 100) from Thompson & Morgan

Whether you want to protect flowers from being munched down to bare stalks or preserve precious fruit and veg from hungry critters, we’ve gathered a wealth of expert pest control tips to help you out. Here are some of the best natural pest control methods to keep your garden looking great.

Browse our excellent range of nasturtium seeds for a superb sacrificial plant.

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Featured Gardener: Charlotte Hugh

Charlotte Hugh with snapdragons
In just a few short years, Charlotte Hugh from @new.house.home has completely transformed her empty new build plot into a riot of texture, colour and scent. Working with her husband Ben, she has added a greenhouse, a pergola, brick paths, several unique ‘zones’ and a huge number of plants to their gorgeous outside space. Find out how she created her dream garden, and what has been her biggest regret…

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