A couple of weeks ago we set about preparing to sow our 3m x 3m plots in the Model Vegetable Garden. Last year, our Grow Your Own Veg campaign proved immensely popular, especially with the supporting book by Carol Klein and BBC series, as well as our own on-line micro-site and garden activities. For... Read more..

We are enjoying the autumn so far at Wisley. Fruits, flowers and veg are in evidence all over the Garden, and the leaves are starting to turn. We're looking forward to our Taste of Autumn Festival next week, 16-19th October, with great anticipation - it's been a fantastic event over the last... Read more..

I was pleased with myself at the start of December. At my allotment and in the 15 schools I work with in the south of England, I had ensured next year's early harvests by sowing Japanese onion sets ('Senshui Yellow'), peas ('Meteor' and 'Feltham First'), broad beans ('Aquadulce... Read more..

As I arrived at school this morning the first question I was asked was ‘Can we garden in the snow’? The thought of gardening seems quite ridiculous to many of the staff; the crops we planted last Autumn are still hidden under a thick layer of snow and the ground is still frozen. I however have a few... Read more..

It’s that time again………… early February and every kitchen gardener is itching to get outside and sow their first seeds of 2010………..but mother nature is slightly against us as not only are my raised beds far too wet – but also ever so slightly frozen, so unless things change quickly I’d say its going... Read more..

I met the school council at Ferring primary school the other day. I don't know who was more daunted - me (I'd never met a school council before), or them (many had never met a horticulturalist before, never mind a 'royal' one). But how exciting. They have decided to put on their own show... Read more..

Gardening shouldn't be a bore or a chore, though it sometimes feels like this - when we've got a hundred other things to do, or when it's so cold your feet are freezing inside , or it's all a bit damp and wet out there. But a bit like Mr Happy encouraging you to smile (just try turning... Read more..

Let there be warmth, let there be light. Let there be glorious flowers. What a wonderful week. You really must come during this warm spell. The garden is looking simply amazing. On the hot beds on the outer side of the Walled Garden (above), overlooking the Conifer Lawn, you cannot fail to be mesmerised... Read more..

Fancy learning some Norwegian? Here's a great expression for you... 'TING TAR TID' (tid - pronounced 'tee') Remember those tiny seedlings and all that bare earth? I was fortunate to spend 7 days away working at the Chelsea Flower Show and when I came back the whole thing had just... Read more..

..or just the work of a rather large spider? perhaps it's just my own 'Theory of Everything' potager related... Well...ok, you're right, it's none of these things. In putting together this potager design I realised it was important to keep it simple (unlike String Theory ?) while... Read more..