It’s the beginning of Thompson & Morgan’s Fuchsia Festival; and we think you’re heading for a long, colourful and care-free summer!
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.
The Fuchsia Festival
We will be celebrating all things fuchsia in 2015 with a filled fuchsia festival calendar of online activities running right through to autumn. We have top growing advice from our experts, exciting blogs from customers and staff and on top of that we are launching more than 20 new fuchsia varieties to inspire UK gardeners into using fuchsias more effectively in their summer garden.
Terri works in the e-commerce marketing department assisting the busy web team. Terri manages our blog and social media pages here at Thompson & Morgan and is dedicated to providing useful advice to our gardeners. Terri is new to gardening and keen to develop her horticultural knowledge.
Therapeutic Gardening – How has it helped Melanie ?
Here Thrive, the UK charity that uses therapeutic gardening to change lives, shows how it has made a difference to Melanie’s life.
Terri works in the e-commerce marketing department assisting the busy web team. Terri manages our blog and social media pages here at Thompson & Morgan and is dedicated to providing useful advice to our gardeners. Terri is new to gardening and keen to develop her horticultural knowledge.
What soil type do I have?
It is really important for any gardener to spend time finding out what soil type they have in their garden. There is no point investing in plants and trying to grow specific varieties that simply won’t grow in your soil conditions. Finding out what soil type you have is actually quite easy, here is a helping hand.
Terri works in the e-commerce marketing department assisting the busy web team. Terri manages our blog and social media pages here at Thompson & Morgan and is dedicated to providing useful advice to our gardeners. Terri is new to gardening and keen to develop her horticultural knowledge.
Gardening is a waiting game
Gardening isn’t one of those hobbies that we can just roll out of bed and do such as running or dancing. It requires a considerable amount of time to carefully plan what to sow and when. Therefore, gardening is a bit of a waiting game, and sometimes our patience is put to the test, but the outcome is so rewarding.
Terri works in the e-commerce marketing department assisting the busy web team. Terri manages our blog and social media pages here at Thompson & Morgan and is dedicated to providing useful advice to our gardeners. Terri is new to gardening and keen to develop her horticultural knowledge.
Amaryllis – flamboyant and never understated
Commonly known as amaryllis, hippeastrum bulbs are hugely popular gifts for Christmas. There really is no question as to why increasing numbers are choosing the amaryllis as a Christmas gift, as their magnificent and showy blooms flower year after year, making fantastic houseplants.
Terri works in the e-commerce marketing department assisting the busy web team. Terri manages our blog and social media pages here at Thompson & Morgan and is dedicated to providing useful advice to our gardeners. Terri is new to gardening and keen to develop her horticultural knowledge.
Christmas advent calendar 2014
There is nothing more exciting than rushing downstairs to open the door of your Christmas advent calendar for your tasty treat, even when you are told to eat your breakfast first. Young or old this tradition is enjoyed by all, but why stop at chocolate?
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.
Holly and Ivy – what is there to know?
Holly trees can be self-fertile, male or female; so some bushes may need a partner to ensure they can pollinate and produce berries. This is not usually a problem in home gardens though, as Holly trees are quite common in other gardens as well as in the wild, so there should always be a pollinator nearby!
Green tomato and chilli chutney
Do you have a glut of green tomatoes? Then why not have a go at this simple recipe and make a delicious Green tomato and chilli chutney that will go perfect alongside cold Christmas meats. Recipe kindly provided by our pumpkin expert and e-commerce marketing assistant Jon.
Ingredients:
820g Green tomatoes – quartered
2 Large onions – finely chopped
9 (green) Heatwave Chillies – sliced. This can be changed according to taste, but 9 gives it a nice kick!
1 Bulb Christo Wight garlic – finely chopped
8 Table spoons garam masala
260g Cane sugar
6 Table spoons of red wine vinegar
75g Sultanas
Olive oil
Method:
1. Fry the onions, garlic and chilli together in the oil until the onions are golden brown.
2. Add the garam masala and fry gently for about a minute.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir well.
4. Cook until a thick consistency is achieved, stirring occasionally. 45-75 mins approx.
5. Sterilise the jars while the ingredients are reducing.
6. I personally spoon the finished mixture hot straight into the jars (carefully!) and seal straight away.
7. Eat when cool or keep for a few weeks to let the flavours mature. Excellent with the Christmas cold meats!
No children or animals were hurt in the preparation of this preserve (not until it was eaten though)!
Head over to our chillies and sweet peppers hub page to find chilli growing advice and variety recommendations, and more tasty ways to enjoy your harvest!
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 grow blackcurrant bushes
Image: Blackcurrant ‘Ben Alder’ from T&M
Blackcurrants are one of the easiest soft fruits to grow and, once established, continue to crop for about 15 years. Here’s how to choose the best variety for your garden, as well as tips on planting and caring for these flavour-packed fruit plants.