From root to tip: the best gardening books of 2024
In search of some great gardening books to entertain, inspire and inform you over Christmas? Fionnuala Fallon offers her top choices
An A to Z of Christmas gifts for gardeners: Trees, tools, calendars, furniture and more
Searching for the perfect Christmas present for the gardener in your life? Here are our top suggestions
Gardening tools that will last a lifetime if treated right
A bad day’s gardening is often the result of shoddy tools, so invest well in your implements
Does a tree fern need extra protection from the elements?
Packing pine needles into the crown will protect against temperatures down to minus 4C, but below that you’ll need to secure several layers of horticultural fleece over the crown and fronds
Five life lessons my garden taught me: Nature often has a quiet but not unkind laugh at our expense
To watch a flower unfurl is to simultaneously be reminded of the fact that life is both worthwhile and fleeting
Gardening Q&A: My young hedge looks tatty - what have I done?
Unfortunately in recent years, this flowering hedge has fallen victim to a widespread fungal disease commonly known as escallonia leaf spot that causes it to lose its leaves
What is the best choice of hedging for my garden?
Soil type and general weather conditions matter when it comes to choosing a garden hedge
Caught in a landslide, gored to death, expelled from Japan: the fates of plant-hunters who pursued rare specimens
Historian Thomas Pakenham details the remarkable individuals who risked life and limb in pursuit of new species
How to pack up your plants when moving on
Planning to move house and garden? Create a list of what to take with you and prepare well in advance
Which house plants are best for students?
It’s a good idea to start with a selection of stalwarts that will tolerate less-than-ideal growing conditions
Why bare-root planting is always a good idea for your garden
Whether you’re searching for budget-friendly options or simply trying to plant without excavating big chunks of your garden, this approach makes sense
Should we hire a garden designer?
Fionnuala Fallon: Great garden designers and landscape architects are like artists, marrying together practical, environmental and aesthetic elements
Can I leave spuds in the ground and dig them up when I need them?
Fionnuala Fallon: Only maincrop potato varieties, such as Golden Wonder, are suitable for storing over winter
Frost can feel cruel but it’s not all bad news in the garden
The cold acts as a natural curb on the spread of plant pests and diseases. Slugs are less active and fungal spores will be less likely to spread
Autumn leaf displays have not been as vibrant this year. There’s a good reason for that
Deciduous trees and shrubs are paragons of good planning and preparedness