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: Kim O’Brien

by | Oct 9, 2026 | , | 0 Comments

Smiling woman with curly red hair holding a large bouquet of pink and peach dahlias in a summer garden.

From training with the Royal Horticultural Society to becoming Head Gardener at an RHS-funded community garden, Kim (@garden.with.kim) has turned a lifelong passion for plants into a thriving career. When she’s not working, she’s also a specialist dahlia grower cultivating over 100 stunning varieties – or indulging her soft spot for homegrown tomatoes. Here, Kim shares what inspires her work and how she plans to transform her own garden in the year ahead…

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New bedding plant inspiration: top picks for autumn 2026

by | Oct 7, 2026 | , , , | 0 Comments

Viola 'Terracotta' from T&M

As summer blooms begin to fade, your garden doesn’t need to lose its sparkle. Preparing your pots, borders, hanging baskets and window boxes for the colder months is a rewarding task that keeps your patio brimming with personality from now until spring. 

Here, our horticultural expert Lance Russell shares five of his favourite winter bedding plants from our brand new collection, along with four tips to help you care for them…

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Future-proofing your garden for climate change

by | Sep 29, 2026 | , | 0 Comments

Geranium 'Rozanne' from T&M

As erratic weather patterns like El Niño put British gardens under growing pressure, future-proofing your outdoor space has never been more vital. The key to a resilient, low-maintenance garden lies with intelligent variety selection – choosing drought tolerant plants that are naturally equipped to withstand prolonged heat and heavy winter rainfall, once established. read more…

Featured Gardener: Reece Follett

by | Sep 14, 2026 | , | 0 Comments

Man standing beside a black-framed greenhouse filled with thriving tomato and cucumber plants, surrounded by colourful garden flowers and potted plants in a garden.

When Reece from @thegardenersadventure was diagnosed with cancer, he turned to gardening to help him get through one of the toughest times in his life. The sense of peace, the joy of watching things grow, and the chance to connect with nature helped his physical and mental health when he needed it most. Find out what inspires his plant choices, what he’s most proud of, and why he says gardening will always be more than just a hobby…

How did you get into gardening?

Man sitting on a white garden bench holding a peony seed packet, with a large floral peony backdrop and additional seed packets displayed on the bench.

Image courtesy of Reece Follett

Gardening became a huge part of my life following my cancer diagnosis. During one of the most difficult times in my life, I found comfort and peace in being outdoors and connecting with nature. Gardening gave me something positive to focus on, helped me through my recovery, and became an important part of looking after my mental health. What started as a way to cope soon turned into a real passion and a journey that has completely changed my life.

What inspires you in the garden?

A colourful garden border with red, yellow and white flowers on the left, and a man sitting on a bench in front of a wildflower meadow on the right.

Images courtesy of Reece Follett

I’m inspired by the power that gardens have to make people feel better, both physically and mentally. I love creating a space that attracts wildlife, supports nature, and changes with the seasons. Seeing plants grow from tiny seedlings into something beautiful reminds me that even after difficult times, growth and new beginnings are possible.

What’s your favourite gardening style?

A home garden with lawn, greenhouse and raised beds on the left, and a man holding a crate of freshly harvested rhubarb and vegetables on the right.

Images courtesy of Reece Follett

My favourite gardening style is a wildlife-friendly, cottage-style garden filled with colour, pollinator-friendly plants, and plenty of habitats for birds, bees, and insects. I enjoy creating a garden that feels natural, relaxing, and full of life. My greenhouse and allotment are full of variety and have both become places for me to escape to.

What are you most proud of?

Freshly dug allotment bed with young seedlings on the left, and rows of leafy green vegetables growing in a lush allotment plot on the right.

Images courtesy of Reece Follett

I’m most proud of turning a difficult chapter in my life into something so positive. Gardening has not only helped my mental health and wellbeing, but it has also allowed me to inspire others through social media by sharing my gardening journey. Knowing that my story may encourage someone else to spend time outdoors or find comfort in gardening means a lot to me. I have created a safe space in my garden and allotment.

What are your future plans?

A man standing behind a table of freshly harvested rhubarb, leeks and salad leaves on the left, and a man holding two potted pineapple plants in a garden centre on the right.

Images courtesy of Reece Follett

I want to continue developing my garden into an even bigger haven for wildlife and keep sharing my journey online. I’d love to inspire more people to discover the benefits that gardening can have on mental health and wellbeing. In the future, I’d also love to take on new gardening projects and continue learning as a gardener. I want to continue to develop my allotment with new varieties of fruit and vegetables.

What’s your top gardening tip for beginners?

Man holding a crate full of freshly picked strawberries in front of netted strawberry plants in an allotment garden.

Image courtesy of Reece Follett

Don’t be afraid to start small. Gardening is all about learning, and every gardener makes mistakes. Choose plants you love, enjoy the process, and remember that gardening isn’t about perfection, it’s about the joy and wellbeing it brings. Take your time, experiment, and most importantly, have fun with it. Pick 5 things you like to eat and try growing them.

How has gardening changed your life?

Man in a blue jacket standing beside a marquee at a Compost Fest event, holding food and a drink next to a 'Let's Get Down to Earth' banner.

Image courtesy of Reece Follett

Gardening has given me purpose, confidence, and a place to escape when life feels overwhelming. It has shown me the healing power of nature and how something as simple as planting a seed can bring hope and happiness. My garden is much more than a hobby; it’s been a huge part of my recovery and continues to support my mental health every day. When I sit in my allotment, time stops still, and for a moment my head is not all over the place. It helped me find my identity when I was lost.

Grow like Reece

If you’d like to grow the plants and flowers Reece showcases on his Instagram page, here are some of his favourites:

Follow Reece at @thegardenersadventure to see what he plants through the coming seasons. For more inspiration, our full series of Featured Gardeners includes a huge number of incredible growers who are also worth a follow.

New tulip inspiration: top picks for 2027

by | Aug 19, 2026 | , , | 1 Comment

tulip giant collection from T&M

Tulips transform a standard spring garden into something extraordinary. Whether you want saturated colour, multi-petalled texture, or reliable cut flowers for indoor vases, the right variety makes all the difference. Here are some of the best new tulips for 2027, as recommended by our horticultural experts…

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Featured Gardener: @beninthegarden

by | Aug 6, 2026 | , | 0 Comments

Man with brown hair and beard wearing a patterned collared shirt, standing in front of blooming white and pink roses.

Ben from @beninthegarden has been gardening since childhood, helping his parents outdoors before creating a cottage-style space of his own. His Suffolk garden combines classic cottage planting with prairie favourites, creating a space that’s full of life and enjoyed by both people and wildlife. Find out what inspires his planting choices, what he’s most proud of and his top tip for beginner gardeners…

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Jonathan Sheppard’s Gold Medal-Winning Seeds Lead Thompson & Morgan’s 2027 Seed Launch

by | Aug 3, 2026 | , | 0 Comments

Thompson & Morgan has unveiled its 2027 seed range, bringing together innovative new flowers and vegetables selected for outstanding performance, beauty and flavour. Leading the launch are the exclusive Jonathan Sheppard National Collection Seed Mixes, featuring Cosmos and Hollyhock varieties grown from his RHS Gold Medal-winning collections from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025, alongside new vegetable breakthroughs including Tomato ‘Meltaway’ F1.

Lance Russell, Horticultural Expert, said: “We wanted this new seed range to help gardeners overcome the challenges they face, whether that’s making the most of smaller spaces, adapting to changing growing conditions or creating more rewarding gardens. Jonathan Sheppard’s National Collection Seed Mixes allow gardeners to grow a piece of horticultural history at home, while Tomato ‘Meltaway’ F1 offers gardeners a completely new way to grow and enjoy cherry tomatoes, with virtually no skin and seeds. We’re seeing a shift in what gardeners expect from their seeds. It’s no longer just about growing plants — it’s about the experience they create, from beautiful displays and wildlife benefits to improved flavour and enjoyment throughout the season.”

Discover our New Flower Seed Range & Vegetable Seed Range. 

 

New Flower Varieties Bring Colour, Performance and Garden Innovation

The 2027 flower seed range has been carefully selected for exceptional garden performance, long-lasting displays and striking style. Bringing together varieties chosen for their visual appeal, fragrance and ability to create impact throughout the growing season, the new range reflects the latest ways gardeners are creating beautiful, wildlife-friendly spaces.

From left to right: Jonathan Sheppard, Cosmos National Collection Seed Mix, Hollyhock National Collection Seed Mix.

Leading the launch are the exclusive Jonathan Sheppard National Collection Seed Mixes, featuring Cosmos and Hollyhock varieties developed from his RHS Gold Medal-winning National Plant Collections, showcased at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025. 

Jonathan, holder of the National Plant Collections for Cosmos bipinnatus and Alcea rosea, earned a Gold Medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025. These unique seed mixes have been produced from plants within his collections, allowing gardeners to grow a snapshot of the National Collection at home. Produced using peat-free, pesticide-free methods and rainwater harvesting, the seed mixes also reflect Jonathan’s commitment to sustainable growing.

Alongside these exclusive mixes, the wider 2027 flower range introduces varieties designed to bring colour, versatility and wildlife value to gardens of all sizes. Living up to its name, Sunflower ‘Bambino’ delivers maximum impact in a compact form, producing masses of blooms that provide weeks of vibrant colour. Perfect for smaller gardens, it can even be grown as an annual flowering hedge, attracting pollinators throughout summer before providing seeds for birds to enjoy in autumn.

The new Zinnia ‘Lilliput Mix’ reflects the continued popularity of cut flower gardening, producing masses of miniature, pom-pom blooms ideal for containers, borders and home-grown bouquets. Named after the fictional island of Lilliput in Gulliver’s Travels, the variety is small but perfectly formed, filling the garden with colour and repeat blooms throughout the season, both in the garden and in home-grown bouquets.

 

New Vegetable Varieties Deliver Innovation, Flavour and Reliable Harvests

The 2027 vegetable seed range has been selected for outstanding garden performance, improved genetics and exceptional flavour, bringing gardeners varieties that deliver reliable results alongside exciting new growing experiences. Reflecting changing gardening trends, the new range combines productivity with versatility, offering crops suited to modern growing spaces and a wide range of gardening styles.

A standout in the 2027 vegetable seed range is Tomato ‘Meltaway’ F1, a genuine breakthrough in tomato breeding and the world’s first virtually skinless and seedless cherry tomato. Combining exceptional eating quality with high yields and natural crack resistance, this innovative variety offers gardeners an entirely new way to enjoy home-grown tomatoes.

Also joining the 2027 range is Chilli ‘Rapid Aji’, a UK-bred variety developed to deliver reliable performance, even in cooler summers. Living up to its name, it has been bred to ripen up to four weeks earlier than other chillies in the UK climate, making it ideal for shorter growing seasons. With compact growth and a mild, fruity flavour, it provides an accessible option for chilli growers of all experience levels.

Reflecting the growing trend for productive gardens that are also beautiful, Basil ‘Minette’ combines ornamental appeal with edible benefits. Its naturally compact globe-shaped habit makes it ideal for containers, windowsills and edible edging, bringing fresh flavour and visual interest to smaller growing spaces.

 

The ultimate guide to preserving fresh produce

by | Jul 20, 2026 | , | 0 Comments

Collection of preserved vegetables and fruits

Everything you need to know to preserve fresh produce for your freezer and pantry
Image: Shutterstock

What better way to deal with a glut, eat healthy food, and be more self-sufficient than by preserving your seasonal harvests? Here we take a look at five different ways to make the most of your fruit and vegetable plants by preserving the surplus for future use. 

From freezing to pickling, and drying to bottling, we give you the basics of each method. We’ve also asked some of our favourite bloggers to share their handy hints – preserving is easy, fun and guaranteed to make winter meals way more tasty.

read more…

Featured Gardener: @my_little_plot

by | Jul 13, 2026 | , | 0 Comments

Smiling woman in pink fleece taking a selfie in a lush garden with stepping stone path, flower beds, and green lawn

When Denise from @my_little_plot found herself at a loose end during the COVID lockdown, she turned to her neglected outdoor space and discovered a passion that has flourished ever since. Now the proud owner of a quirky cottage garden packed with creative containers, upcycled finds and wildlife, find out the single most important gardening tip she wished she’d known from the start…

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Taking cuttings of half hardy salvias

by | Jun 30, 2026 | | 15 Comments

Close up of red flowers of Salvia 'Royal Bumble'

Salvia ‘Royal Bumble’ is so free-flowering it can be hard to keep up with the dead heading – but doing so will keep it blooming throughout summer
Image: Annelise Brilli

Salvias are amongst the most rewarding plants I grow and some the easiest to propagate. Having amassed a collection over the years, I’ve been busy taking cuttings of my half hardy species as an insurance against any winter losses and to rejunvenate old plants. They root very easily – so do have a go and build up your own collection of these fabulous, long-flowering perennials.

Browse our full range of Salvia plants for more inspiration.

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