Image courtesy of @gardenwithjonny
You don’t need a huge garden to enjoy a gorgeous lawn, beautiful flowers, specimen shrubs, high-yielding fruit trees and a place to grow veg. Popular Instagram gardener @gardenwithjonny demonstrates how he achieves all this and more, by sharing the inspirational outside space in which he hangs out with his family, friends and very chilled pet cat! Find out how this fun-loving, firefighting, fitness-fanatic got interested in gardening…
What inspires you in the garden?
Gardening is one of my favourite ways to unwind and my passion for it grows each year. I draw inspiration from my Dutch roots.
What’s your favourite style?
My garden is a west-facing space that I’ve been developing for seven years, blending modern and traditional styles. It’s divided into distinct areas—a summer border with dahlias and salvias, and a shaded, woodland-inspired section with ferns, hostas, and acers. Two patios provide the perfect spots for relaxing, from BBQs with family to quiet evenings by the firepit.
What are you most proud of?
One of my proudest achievements is my espalier apple tree, which thrives in our small space, as well as my neatly striped lawn! (You know what I’m like with my lawn).
There’s always more to do, and my next project is a new patio, but I love how my garden continues to evolve.
Top gardening tip
My top gardening tip for winter is to clear fallen leaves from lawns, paths, and borders. Leaving them can lead to damp and slippery surfaces, and they may harbour pests or diseases. Instead, collect the leaves and use them to make leaf mould—a fantastic, natural soil conditioner.
Leaf mould is rich in organic matter, improving soil structure, moisture retention, and aeration. It’s particularly beneficial for woodland plants, but it can enhance any garden bed. Plus, it’s an eco-friendly way to recycle garden waste, reducing the need for peat-based composts. Simply pile the leaves into a bin or bag, keep them damp, and let nature do the rest!
Grow like Jonny
This compact, slow-growing variety provides superb seasonal colour
Image: Acer palmatum ‘Little Princess’ from T&M
If you want to buy some of the plants Jonny grows, here’s a quick shopping list:
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about Jonny Hincks from @gardenwithjonny. If you want to read about other inspirational growers, check out our series of #tmfeaturedgardens over on Instagram.
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.