Homes & Interiors Archive

Gardeners are always thinking ahead, not least when the days shorten and toiling in the garden holds as much appeal as chewing a brick.

It might seem counter- intuitive, but most weeds should always be composted or recycled.

How to jazz up a gloomy, north-facing wall is one of gardening's greatest challenges.

For Zen priests in Japan, stone and sand or gravel traditionally had a much bigger role than plants.

This summer's wind and rain may have taken their toll on shrubs and flowers, but you can refresh the border and renew some of its colour with a spot of deadheading, removing faded blooms from flowering plants.

The security issue surrounding the Olympics may have taken all the headlines – and who could argue against it being worthy of such scrutiny?

Gardening: herbs.

It has all the ingredients of village life: neighbourly co-operation, the sort of community spirit that gets things done, sweet-scented roses, freshly baked scones, serious fundraising for charity and a healthy sprinkling of politely disguised rivalry.

Grass clippings are usually seen as a problem, but they are an asset if you follow the golden rule of gardening.

Gardening: strawberries.

Gardening: tomatoes.

I described how to sow and bring on your veg last month but lots of people don't have time or space for this and get young plants at the garden centre or by mail order.

Here's some good news: greenfly and their hundreds of sap-sucking relatives aren't as big a headache for gardeners as they once were.

Modern farming methods have had a catastrophic effect on insect numbers.