Gardening Posts Archives | Page 2 of 122

How to plan a garden for all year round colour

by Sophie Essex | May 8, 2024 | Autumn gardening, Flowers, Gardening Posts, Spring gardening, Summer gardening, Winter gardening | 1 Comment

Acers provide beautifully shaped and colourful foliage
Image: Acer palmatum ‘Taylor’ from Thompson & Morgan

It’s easy to fill your garden with colour through the summer when many plants burst into bloom. But which varieties should you choose for a vibrant display all year round? We asked trained horticulturalist, Sophie Essex, for her expert advice on the plants, flowers, shrubs and trees that represent the best of every season. Here are her suggestions…

Browse our wide variety of garden plants for even more ideas.

Sophie Essex

Sophie Essex is a freelance garden writer with a passion for horticulture and environmental conservation. With a BSc in Botany/Plant Biology from the University of Plymouth, she further honed her expertise through a Masters of Science in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants from The University of Edinburgh.

Sophie has also worked as a professional gardener and landscaper, showcasing her practical skills by transforming outdoor spaces. Her commitment to fieldwork is further evident in her acquisition of a Certificate in Field Botany from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and over the years, she has interned at the Eden Project, Cornwall, the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Find more information about Sophie over at LinkedIn.

Grow All Year Round – Win A Waltons Greenhouse Worth £499.99

by Thompson & Morgan | Apr 26, 2024 | Competitions, Gardening Posts | 53 Comments

This competition has now closed, but thank you for entering. A huge congratulations goes out to our winner ‘Elizabeth P’. Please keep an eye on our competition page for future giveaways.

Whether you want to sow vegetable seeds to feed your family or grow a riot of colourful plants and flowers, a greenhouse is the perfect way to extend the growing season.

Thompson & Morgan

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.

Cucumbers masterclass: best expert content

by Sophie Essex | Apr 24, 2024 | Blogs we love, Gardening Masterclasses, Gardening Posts | 0 Comments

Group of cucumbers growing in the greenhouse

Cucumbers are prolific in the right conditions
Image: Cucumber ‘Carmen’ F1 Hybrid from Thompson & Morgan

Here’s a collection of the best independent content to help you grow your own crunchy cucumbers. These videos, articles and Instagram posts feature everything from sowing cucumber seeds through to pricking out and pollination. If you want to successfully grow cucumbers in your garden or allotment, you’ve come to the right place…

This article was reviewed by T&M’s horticultural team and updated on 24 April 2024.

Sophie Essex

Sophie Essex is a freelance garden writer with a passion for horticulture and environmental conservation. With a BSc in Botany/Plant Biology from the University of Plymouth, she further honed her expertise through a Masters of Science in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants from The University of Edinburgh.

Sophie has also worked as a professional gardener and landscaper, showcasing her practical skills by transforming outdoor spaces. Her commitment to fieldwork is further evident in her acquisition of a Certificate in Field Botany from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and over the years, she has interned at the Eden Project, Cornwall, the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Find more information about Sophie over at LinkedIn.

Hanging baskets masterclass: best expert content

by Sophie Essex | Apr 17, 2024 | Blogs we love, Gardening Masterclasses, Gardening Posts | 0 Comments

Colourful hanging basket against brick wall

Hanging baskets are a great way to display colourful flowers
Image: Nurseryman’s Choice Hanging Basket Mixed Collection from Thompson & Morgan

Here’s all the advice you need to create the best hanging baskets ever. Packed with useful articles, videos and Instagram posts – these gardeners have generously shared the knowledge they’ve acquired through years of trial and error. If you’re new to basket growing or you’re keen to learn more, here’s how to successfully choose hanging basket plants along with tips to keep them blooming for as long as possible.

This article was reviewed by T&M’s horticultural team and updated on 17 April 2024.

Sophie Essex

Sophie Essex is a freelance garden writer with a passion for horticulture and environmental conservation. With a BSc in Botany/Plant Biology from the University of Plymouth, she further honed her expertise through a Masters of Science in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants from The University of Edinburgh.

Sophie has also worked as a professional gardener and landscaper, showcasing her practical skills by transforming outdoor spaces. Her commitment to fieldwork is further evident in her acquisition of a Certificate in Field Botany from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and over the years, she has interned at the Eden Project, Cornwall, the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Find more information about Sophie over at LinkedIn.

Dahlias masterclass: best expert content

by Sophie Essex | Apr 4, 2024 | Blogs we love, Gardening Masterclasses, Gardening Posts | 1 Comment

Dahlias come in a range of colours and shapes
Image: Dahlia ‘Tropical Sheer Heaven’ from Thompson & Morgan (©Visions BV, Netherlands)

Here’s a masterclass on growing dahlias courtesy of some of our favourite gardening bloggers, YouTubers, and Instagrammers. When it comes to dahlias, not only do these growers know their stuff, but they’re also happy to share their knowledge and experience. Whether you want to plant dahlia tubers or raise them from seed, this is the place to start.

This article was reviewed by T&M’s horticultural team and updated on 4th April 2024.

Sophie Essex

Sophie Essex is a freelance garden writer with a passion for horticulture and environmental conservation. With a BSc in Botany/Plant Biology from the University of Plymouth, she further honed her expertise through a Masters of Science in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants from The University of Edinburgh.

Sophie has also worked as a professional gardener and landscaper, showcasing her practical skills by transforming outdoor spaces. Her commitment to fieldwork is further evident in her acquisition of a Certificate in Field Botany from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and over the years, she has interned at the Eden Project, Cornwall, the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Find more information about Sophie over at LinkedIn.

Peas and beans masterclass: best expert content

by Sophie Essex | Mar 25, 2024 | Blogs we love, Gardening Masterclasses, Gardening Posts | 1 Comment

Neat & compact, Broad Bean ‘The Sutton’ is perfect for growing in containers or small gardens
Image: Broad Bean ‘The Sutton’ from Thompson & Morgan

In our search for expert advice on growing peas and beans, we turned to some of the best grow-your-own bloggers, Instagrammers and YouTubers. Whether you’re new to growing veg or a seasoned gardener looking for tips to get more from your pea and bean plants, there’s plenty of food for thought here.

This article was reviewed by T&M’s horticultural team and updated on 25th March 2024.

Sophie Essex

Sophie Essex is a freelance garden writer with a passion for horticulture and environmental conservation. With a BSc in Botany/Plant Biology from the University of Plymouth, she further honed her expertise through a Masters of Science in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants from The University of Edinburgh.

Sophie has also worked as a professional gardener and landscaper, showcasing her practical skills by transforming outdoor spaces. Her commitment to fieldwork is further evident in her acquisition of a Certificate in Field Botany from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and over the years, she has interned at the Eden Project, Cornwall, the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Find more information about Sophie over at LinkedIn.

Chillies and sweet peppers masterclass: best expert content

by Sophie Essex | Feb 29, 2024 | Blogs we love, Gardening Masterclasses, Gardening Posts | 0 Comments

Chillies and sweet peppers both pack a colourful flavour punch
Image: Chilli Pepper ‘Fresno Mix’ F1 from Thompson & Morgan

If you want to grow your own chilli and sweet pepper plants indoors on a sunny windowsill or outdoors in the garden, here’s the best advice from some of our favourite Instagrammers, YouTubers and bloggers. These independent posts and videos give you step-by-step guidance on how to grow your own crops of colourful peppers – both fiery and sweet.

Browse our full range of chilli and sweet pepper seeds for inspiration.

This article was reviewed by T&M’s horticultural team and updated on 29 February 2024.

Sophie Essex

Sophie Essex is a freelance garden writer with a passion for horticulture and environmental conservation. With a BSc in Botany/Plant Biology from the University of Plymouth, she further honed her expertise through a Masters of Science in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants from The University of Edinburgh.

Sophie has also worked as a professional gardener and landscaper, showcasing her practical skills by transforming outdoor spaces. Her commitment to fieldwork is further evident in her acquisition of a Certificate in Field Botany from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and over the years, she has interned at the Eden Project, Cornwall, the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Find more information about Sophie over at LinkedIn.

Understanding plant seeds: F1 hybrids vs open-pollinated varieties

by Rob Smith | Feb 28, 2024 | Flowers, Gardening Posts, plant identification, Vegetables | 0 Comments

Image: T&M

Most gardeners take huge satisfaction in raising fruit, vegetables, plants and flowers from seed. In the world of horticulture, two main types are often discussed: F1 hybrid seeds and open-pollinated seeds. To help you make a fully informed choice, we asked allotmenteer Rob Smith to explain the difference. Here’s what he said…

In the meantime, if you’re looking for new ideas to try, browse our full range of seeds for inspiration.

Rob Smith

Winner of BBC2’s Big Allotment Challenge, Rob Smith writes for Thompson & Morgan providing practical growing tips from his allotment. A gardening columnist and kitchen gardener, Rob’s debut book ‘Grow to Eat: Growing Colourful And Tasty Vegetables From Seed’ is due to be released in March 2024.

robsallotment.com/

Petunia masterclass: best expert content

by Sophie Essex | Feb 22, 2024 | Blogs we love, Gardening Masterclasses, Gardening Posts | 1 Comment

This climbing petunia has been trained up an obelisk to create a spectacular focal point
Image: T&M

Here you’ll find the best expert content on raising petunia seeds or growing petunia plug plants. We’ve scoured the web to bring you insights from the experts who know petunias best – the experienced, green-fingered garden bloggers who love to grow them. Here’s a wealth of information and advice to help you successfully grow your own perfect petunias.

This article was reviewed by T&M’s horticultural team and updated on 22 February 2024.

Sophie Essex

Sophie Essex is a freelance garden writer with a passion for horticulture and environmental conservation. With a BSc in Botany/Plant Biology from the University of Plymouth, she further honed her expertise through a Masters of Science in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants from The University of Edinburgh.

Sophie has also worked as a professional gardener and landscaper, showcasing her practical skills by transforming outdoor spaces. Her commitment to fieldwork is further evident in her acquisition of a Certificate in Field Botany from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and over the years, she has interned at the Eden Project, Cornwall, the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Find more information about Sophie over at LinkedIn.

Mother’s Day gifts much better than a bouquet!

by Jen Rudd | Feb 21, 2024 | Flowers, Gardening Posts, House plants | 0 Comments

This windowsill herb-growing kit is great for gin-loving mums
Image: Thompson & Morgan

Ditch the daffodils this Mothering Sunday and give a growing gift that will provide many years of enjoyment!

Our range includes the perfect plants for mum’s home or garden, with many delivered ready to display.

From pretty pinks to perky pineapples, fragrant flowers or fresh herbs to garnish their G&Ts, browse our special collection of Mother’s Day Gifts for ideas that every mum will love.

Thompson & Morgan Gardening Blog

How to plan a garden for all year round colour

Grow All Year Round – Win A Waltons Greenhouse Worth £499.99

Cucumbers masterclass: best expert content

Hanging baskets masterclass: best expert content

Dahlias masterclass: best expert content

Peas and beans masterclass: best expert content

Chillies and sweet peppers masterclass: best expert content

Understanding plant seeds: F1 hybrids vs open-pollinated varieties

Petunia masterclass: best expert content

Mother’s Day gifts much better than a bouquet!

Search Blog Posts

Meet the experts

Award-Winning Plants & Seeds

Categories

Recent Comments

Archives

Pin It on Pinterest

Thompson & Morgan Gardening Blog

Search Blog Posts

Meet the experts

Award-Winning Plants & Seeds

Categories

Top Posts

Recent Comments

Archives

Pin It on Pinterest