♥ Originally uploaded by Sadferret Ranunculus asiaticus, or the Persian Buttercup, is an herbaceous perennial which flowers from Spring to Summer. It reaches a height of about 45cm, and its beautiful, full-bodied blooms can range from pale pink through fuchsias, oranges and golds to pure white. This provides a welcome splash of colour in spring [...]

The Bristol Onion, Allium sphaerocephalon or ’round-headed leek’ can only be found on the slopes of the Avon Gorge in Bristol. Its red-purple flowers are smaller than a fifty pence piece, and are borne on thin, stiff stems up to 30cm long. It is thought to have evolved in the isolation of the gorge, which [...]

‘I love Peas!’ orginally uploaded by magnusmagnus. Peas have got a reputation for being a little tricky, but they’re more than worth the hassle. You’ll nver buy a packet of frozen petis pois once you’ve eaten your own produce. As soon as peas are picked, their natural sugars begin to convert to starch, so eat [...]

Image: Martine at http://www.banlieusardises.com/ If something is chomping your carrots or munching your mizuna, don’t reach out for the pesticide. There are plants at hand which are much better at protecting your fruit and veg than harmful chemical sprays. Companion planting is one of the organic gardener’s weapons in the fight against pests, and it [...]

This isn’t your typical real garden. For starters, real gardens belong to someone. This doesn’t. It belongs to the local council, and not the gardener. But this hasn’t put off Richard Reynolds and his team of guerilla gardeners, who have been surreptitiously tending this plot in Elephant & Castle, London. ——————————————————————————————————————————- Fennel & Fern [...]

There aren’t many gardeners who can name wild goats as one of their chief pests, but in Darren Graham’s garden in County Fermanagh, they’re akin to slugs. It’s less of a surpise when you see the landscape surrounding the plot: the borders by the boundaries are set against a stunning backdrop of wildflower meadows, ancient [...]

Image: David McNeil - RHS Fancy a little bit of salad with that canteen sandwich? Now you can have your veg and eat it at work. Desktop gardening is one of the latest crazes in the wave of enthusiasm for growing your own. Find a position on your desk with a good light source and [...]

Walking through central Bristol’s Bearpit is not usually a particularly aesthetically pleasing experience. But now a beautiful meadow has appeared next to the greying walls and rubbish lying around. It’s a pleasant splash of colour amongst the concrete jungle of Broadmead. If you want to create your own meadow, you have got two options really. [...]