Gardening Posts Archives | Page 11 of 120

Chaos gardening masterclass: best expert content

by Thompson & Morgan | Jun 27, 2023 | Gardening Masterclasses, Gardening Posts | 0 Comments

Wildflower meadow full of early annual flowers

Relinquish control and let colourful chaos reign in the garden
Image: Annual Early Flowering Mixed Seeds from T&M

Chaos gardening is the hot new trend of 2023. Think rewilding but with more colour, more intent and a bit of light design. A great way to get rid of extra seeds and avoid waste, we’ve pulled together a collection of helpful articles, videos and Insta posts to help you channel some chaos in your own outside space.

When you’re ready to get started, browse our full range of quality seeds at Thompson & Morgan for fruit, veg, and flowers.

Thompson & Morgan

The Thompson & Morgan horticultural team produces a wealth of content around gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.

How to plan pretty pots and bountiful baskets

by Shaun Gagie | Jun 18, 2023 | Flowers, Gardening Posts, Your Stories | 0 Comments

Petunias are an excellent and cost-effective way to fill a container
Image: Petunia ‘Orchid-Flowered Mixed’ F1 Hybrid from T&M

It’s amazing what a difference a few pots and baskets can make to your outside space. Containers, window boxes, planters and hanging baskets are a great way create a garden, even in a small soil-less courtyard or on a bland balcony. And if you grow plants from seed, you can add lots of colour without breaking the bank. Here, radio garden expert Shaun Gagie shares his five top tips for creating beautiful container displays…

In the meantime, browse our collection of hanging baskets and accessories if you need to stock up.

Shaun Gagie

My name is Shaun Gagie and I am a keen gardener, living in a 1960s semi in Denton, Manchester with my partner John, dog Boo and 10 chickens. I was a contestant on the Big Allotment Challenge in 2014 and I am one of the gardening experts on BBC Radio Manchester on a Saturday morning. I like to blog about what is happening in my own garden over on Twitter and Instagram.

Edible flowers masterclass: best expert content

by Thompson & Morgan | Jun 15, 2023 | Gardening Masterclasses, Gardening Posts | 0 Comments

Nasturtium flowers have a strong peppery flavour
Image: Nasturtium ‘Ladybird’ from T&M

Edible flowers offer the double benefit of bright colours and delicious flavours. Whether you want to whip up a peppery batch of nasturtium butter, crystallise delicate primrose flowers or drizzle pink chive flower vinegar over your summer salads, we’ve collected some helpful independent content to get you off to a good start. Here’s your expert guide to growing edible flowers for use in the kitchen.

In the meantime, take inspiration from our full range of quality edible flower seeds.

Thompson & Morgan

The Thompson & Morgan horticultural team produces a wealth of content around gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.

From Rake To Bake – Cheats Curry for One

by Amanda Davies | Jun 10, 2023 | Gardening Posts, Recipes | 0 Comments

Vegetable curry collage images with aubergines

Cheats Curry for One

Amanda Davies

June is perfect for making Cheats Curry for One.

With crops sown in late winter now bursting in the allotment, greenhouse or garden, this month, I thought I’d take advantage of some of ingredients available right on our doorstep, along with a way to use up any of last year’s sauces you may have hidden in the freezer.

The list of ingredients used was enough to make just a meal for me as my partner doesn’t like aubergines. Just double/triple etc, the quantities to make extra portions and use up a glut of crops.

Note – I have not used salt in the list of ingredients as I do not cook with it, however you may wish to use it, therefore just season to taste. You may also add chilli flakes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Defrost Time 12

Course Main Course

Servings

Equipment

Chopping board.
Potato peeler
Vegetable knife
Small saucepan
Large saucepan with lid
Colander
Spatula
Wooden spoon.
Garlic Press or heavy handled knife.

Ingredients

1 small bowl of defrosted homemade sauce containing onion, red pepper, garlic, red and yellow tomatoes and herbs and spices.
1 small potato.
1 snack sized sweet pepper (any colour)
1 small onion
1 clove of garlic
1/4 aubergine
3 dried apricots
Handful of raisins
1 tbsp olive oil
Garam masala
Curry powder
Black pepper

Instructions

Defrost the homemade sauce the night before.
Peel the potato, cut into bite size chunks and par-boil in the small saucepan.
While the potato is boiling, de-seed and slice the sweet peppers. Wash and slice 1/4 of the aubergine into identical shaped cubes.
Chop the dried apricots into quarters. Slice and dice the onion and press the garlic. If you don’t have a press just bash the handle of a heavy knife onto the garlic on a chopping board.
Drain the potatoes and leave in a colander.
In the large saucepan, on a low heat mix curry powder, garam masala and black pepper with the olive oil, and allow the spices to infuse.
Add the garlic and onion and fry until translucent. Next add the aubergines. The aubergines will soak up the oil, but don’t add any more, just turn down the heat and keep moving the pieces around with the spatula/wooden spoon.
Add the sweet pepper and fry for about two minutes. Next pour over your sauce, stir well, cover with the lid and heat for ten minutes.
Add the cooked potato, apricots and raisins. Taste and add more spices if needed.
Replace the lid and heat on low for a further ten minutes. If your sauce is getting too thick you can either add some vegetable stock or a splash of boiling water.
When you have the desired consistency and taste, serve immediately.

Notes

Serving suggestions:

Go traditional and eat with rice and naan bread.
Go British and serve with chips.
Go lazy and just eat with brown bread and butter.

Keyword aubergine, curry, seasonal vegetables, vegetables

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Amanda Davies

My name is Amanda and I live in Pembrokeshire with my fiancé and our garden is approximately 116 meters square. I want to share with you my love for gardening and the reasons behind it, from the good to the bad and ugly. I want to do this for my own personal pleasure. If you would like to take the journey with me then please read my blogs and share with me your gardening stories.

Plants for shade masterclass: best expert content

by Thompson & Morgan | May 30, 2023 | Gardening Masterclasses, Gardening Posts | 0 Comments

Foxgloves thrive in a shady position
Image: Foxglove ‘Mixed’ from Thompson & Morgan

Need the perfect plant to bring a shady spot to life? See this helpful compilation of articles, videos and Instagram posts from some of our favourite gardening experts. Whether you have a dry north-facing border or a damp woodland garden, find out which plants transform gloomy gaps into an eye-catching feature.

From tall and exotic Australian tree ferns to silvery athyriums, browse our high quality plants for shade collection to find your favourites.

Thompson & Morgan

The Thompson & Morgan horticultural team produces a wealth of content around gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.

RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year Winners 2023

by Thompson & Morgan | May 23, 2023 | Gardening News, Gardening Posts | 0 Comments

T&M is thrilled to announce that Agapanthus ‘Black Jack’ has been crowned the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2023

Thompson & Morgan

The Thompson & Morgan horticultural team produces a wealth of content around gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.

New Plants Shortlisted For RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2023

by Jen Rudd | May 17, 2023 | Gardening Posts | 0 Comments

T&M is proud to announce that four of our new flowering plants have been shortlisted for the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2023 award and will be judged at the show on 22nd May. All plants are available to view in the floral marquee during the event!

Patio plants masterclass: best expert content

by Thompson & Morgan | May 17, 2023 | Gardening Masterclasses, Gardening Posts | 0 Comments

White patio hydrangea with child smelling flowers

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Magical Moonlight’ is an eye-catching focal point for the patio
Image copyright: Visions BV, Netherlands

Here’s everything you need to know about growing patio plants. Whether you want to brighten a shady patio with hardy annuals, learn how to divide your potted perennials or find the best acer for autumn colour, you’ll learn all the answers in this selection of helpful content from expert garden bloggers.

Ready to place an order? Browse our full range of patio plants to find garden ready plants, spectacular shrubs and even small trees.

Thompson & Morgan

The Thompson & Morgan horticultural team produces a wealth of content around gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.

Hardy annual seeds masterclass: best expert content

by Thompson & Morgan | Apr 25, 2023 | Gardening Masterclasses, Gardening Posts | 0 Comments

Overview of a wildflower meadow with different coloured flowers

Scattering a handful of hardy annual flower seeds is an easy and cost-effective way to enjoy bursts of wildlife-friendly colour throughout the summer. For inspiration and advice, we’ve gathered together some helpful videos, articles and Instagram posts. Along with sowing and germination tips, these experienced growers have shared some of their favourite annual varieties to get you excited.

Browse our full collection of hardy annual seeds to find classic red poppies, scented sweet peas, exotic looking zinnias and much more.

Thompson & Morgan

The Thompson & Morgan horticultural team produces a wealth of content around gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.

Alpine plants masterclass: best expert content

by Thompson & Morgan | Apr 17, 2023 | Gardening Masterclasses, Gardening Posts | 0 Comments

Sempervivums are perfect for a dry, rocky alpine garden in full sun
Image: Sempervivum ‘Mixed’ from T&M

Alpine plants are expert survivors. These hardy troupers thrive on rocky outcrops and exposed scree slopes in the wild, delivering miniature explosions of colour where you least expect to find it. We’ve collected a helpful selection of independent articles, videos and Instagram posts to help you create your own ruggedly beautiful rockery.

Whether you’re planting a green roof, filling a container, or adding colour to a stone wall, browse our wide range of alpine and rockery plants for ideas.

Thompson & Morgan

The Thompson & Morgan horticultural team produces a wealth of content around gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.

Thompson & Morgan Gardening Blog

Chaos gardening masterclass: best expert content

How to plan pretty pots and bountiful baskets

Edible flowers masterclass: best expert content

From Rake To Bake – Cheats Curry for One