Innholdsfortegnelse for 19-Apr-2025 i Amateur Gardening

It’s fair to say that the behind-the-pages reality of the editorial process at AG is excitable to say the least. Written by down-to-earth gardeners for gardeners, we all have a discernible spring in our step thanks to the lovely sunshine and new gardening growth emerging around us. It is only fitting therefore that this bumper issue is positively overflowing with extra features (extra seeds) and extra green-fingered love and ideas for our precious outside spaces for the fortnight ahead and sunny days to come. Spring is such a magical, rejuvenating time of growth and renewal. It can also be a good time to let memories flow and past experiences settle and maybe be put to bed. Every year is different and so on we grow. The slug invaders of 2024…

We are well into spring now, a month past the equinox and doesn’t it feel good! More importantly, we’re heading towards the Easter bank holiday, which means that some of us will have four glorious days of freedom, the perfect opportunity to sink our teeth, and hands, into the garden. Of course, April isn’t always the most reliable month when it comes to weather (TS Eliot called it ‘the cruellest month’ for a reason) but her longer days and brighter light give us more to be getting on with undercover, should we ‘enjoy’ some wet and windy conditions. Elsewhere in this issue of AG I show you how to take houseplant cuttings, and you could also scratch that gardening itch by sowing some half hardy seeds. Cosmos, nicotiana, zinnia and…

Imagine a family barbecue, lashings of butter and shimmering cobs of sweet, succulent grilled corn – if that’s not enough to motivate you into grabbing the nearest packet of sweetcorn seed, I don’t know what is! That’s exactly what I’m doing today, because nothing compares to the taste of freshly harvested sweetcorn (sugar levels fall alarmingly as soon as it’s picked from the plant so homegrown is definitely the way to go). The crop is tender, so now is the ideal time to sow, then plants can go into a sunny bed come late May or early June - and you can sow directly into the soil then, too. Sunshine supercharges sweetcorn plants to grow at an astonishing rate as they have a different photosynthetic pathway to other edibles, and…

The clocks have gone forwards, days are lengthening and our gardens are coming back to life, which means a host of jobs to do. But if April feels like a busy month for us, it’s positively frantic for our birds! Breeding season is upon them and the focus is very much on finding a mate and the best nesting spot. It’s also the month we welcome back most of our spring migrants such as house martins. Like many other birds, they’ve completed flights of thousands of miles and now need to get into the best condition to begin breeding. House martins will often spend their first few days back in the UK in wetlands and other sites rich in insects, busily feeding before heading to their favoured nesting sites in…

A little light weeding At this time of year weeds are growing at their fastest rate, so you must make sure you keep them under control. But let’s take a look at a few weed facts: 1. While we despise weeds in our veg plots and flower borders, they do have a place in a ‘wild garden’, where they encourage butterflies, bees and other welcome creatures. 2. In monastery gardens of the Middle Ages, there were no such things as weeds. Every plant had its uses, either in the kitchen or on the medicine shelf. 3. Dandelions are nutritious: they have higher levels of beta carotene in them than carrots, and higher levels of iron and calcium than spinach. 4. Having nettles in your garden is a good indicator that…

We are delighted to announce that Amateur Gardening’s Kim Stoddart and Ruth Hayes will be at Toby Buckland’s Garden Festival in May with a pop-up Garden Advice & Inspiration Centre. This is the 11th year the festival has run at Powderham Castle near Exeter in Devon, and the first time that AG will have a presence there. So if you’re stuck for inspiration for a tricky patch of garden, or bedevilled by pests that just won’t go away, then the dynamic duo Kim and Ruth will be on hand with advice on the latest sustainable methods of gardening to help you. As well as editing the world’s oldest gardening magazine, Kim is a leading author, climate change expert and multi award-winning resilient gardening guru who can help you garden well…

Alpines work very well in a compact space. Most of this range of plants are on the smaller side, primarily due to the mountainous environments they come from, but don’t be fooled as you don’t just have to stick to plants that originate from a higher altitude. There is no question that an awful lot of alpines flower in the spring, but there are also many that will carry that season on, with flowers, foliage and structure. The most important thing to be sure of is that you are planting them into the right substrate, be that your own garden soil or compost bought from the garden centre. Good drainage is essential Virtually all alpines need sharp drainage, so if you are buying a compost to plant into, it must…

They both produce tasty green beans, have their origins in Mexico, Guatemala and other parts of South America and belong to the genus Phaseolus. Yet French beans (P. vulgaris) and runner beans (P. coccineus) differ, and gourmet bean lovers generally favour one or the other. For me, runners come top and I never resent having to ‘string’ the edges of their pods prior to slicing. French beans need only top and tailing and are often cooked whole. True runners require insect pollination, while French beans are selfpollinating, though clever hybridising has produced self-pollinating runners such as ‘Tenderstar’ and ‘Moonlight’ whose pods are also stringless. Dwarf French bean varieties are usually the quickest to crop, though as I age, bending to pick them is less enjoyable than foraging from the climbers.…

Many of the plants we grow are for our daytime delight, but it’s important to think about those long summer evenings when (hopefully) we can sit outside and enjoy the calm warmth at the end of the day. Plants that produce nighttime scents are wonderful to grow along well-lit pathways and seating areas, so we can enjoy their perfume as we sit and chat and mull over the day that’s been. One such easy-going plant is nightscented stocks, a hardy annual widely grown for its pretty mauve and white flowers and the phenomenal fragrance released at dusk. Not only do they delight gardeners, they also provide nectar for moths and other night-flying insects, which in turn bring the bats, vastly enriching the biodiversity of your plot. Because they develop strong…

Tuin Log Cabins is giving one lucky winner the chance to win £2,000 towards the purchase of a beautiful log cabin or summerhouse. Whether you’re creating a peaceful workspace, a relaxing garden retreat, or need some stylish extra space, Tuin Log Cabins has the perfect solution. About Tuin Log Cabins: Tuin Log Cabins is a leading provider of premium wooden garden buildings, including log cabins, sheds, gazebos, pergolas, and summerhouses. With 16 years in the business and a team boasting over 50 years of combined experience, Tuin Log Cabins offers top-quality products with a 10-year guarantee on all wood structures. Their team gives honest, impartial advice without working on sales commission. Prize Details… The winner will receive £2,000 towards the purchase of a log cabin or summerhouse from Tuin Log…

May is the perfect time to welcome a new rose or several into your garden, and there are few better choices than an English rose from David Austin. With more than 60 years of careful breeding, these roses combine the classic aesthetic and fragrance of old-fashioned varieties with the repeat-flowering reliability of modern roses. Their outstanding health and vigour make them a joy to grow, whether you’re looking to fill borders, train climbers or simply add a bit of classic beauty to your garden. Regardless of whether you favour romantic rosettes, striking climbers, or soft single blooms, they have a rose to suit every taste. The varieties I’ve selected are all available now and ready to be planted straight into your garden with a sprinkling of controlled-release rose food for…

When gardeners use the word ‘shovel’ to describe a spade, I find myself straining every sinew not to say: ‘I think you’ll find… there’s a difference between a shovel and spade. A shovel has a curved edge on its blade and is designed for moving loose material such as gravel or soil; a spade, which is the implement to which you refer, has a flat, straight-edged blade designed for digging or chopping into harder ground’. Like any normal person of a certain age though, I say nothing, choosing instead to seethe in silence. If only other people were as polite. While building the wigwam in this feature, my son Eddie pointed out that it is, in fact, a ‘tipi’. I think you’ll find he said: ‘there’s actually a difference between…

Gardening is widely recognised as an important way of keeping physically and mentally well, whatever your age, and now u3a (previously known as the University of the Third Age) is encouraging people to seek out and join its gardening groups. There are more than 1,000 u3as spread across the UK, and joining one of its gardening groups is a great way to stay active, learn new skills, and connect with like-minded people. A u3a spokesman said: “Gardening is an excellent form of exercise that enhances mobility, flexibility, and overall well-being. Spending time outdoors in nature has proven mental health benefits, reducing stress and promoting relaxation. “Additionally, growing your own fruit, vegetables, and herbs provides fresh, organic produce while helping to reduce grocery costs.” u3a gardening groups are a fantastic way…

In the busyness of the modern world it’s so easy to get swept along from day to day and week to week by the noise of it all. It’s almost like a constant background roar if you dare to peek at the news and other happenings totally out of our control. This is why, more than ever, the garden should be, if possible, a safe space in which to play. Yes, there are to-do lists now as the gardening season gets underway but let’s not forget the importance of connecting with our roots, our past for the present, with the opportunity for personal growth, renewal and, this Easter weekend, pure eggciting (sorry) green fingered joy. Pick a few flowers It’s unlikely we have too many blooms ready for picking right…

Take a moment and picture yourself enjoying your dahlias. Do you imagine their radiant flowers, smothered in pollinators in patio pots or borders, or their voluminous blooms spilling from vases around your home? Wonderful! Now think outside the box and consider the multitude of ways you can enjoy them as edibles. From vibrant garnishes to cheeky summer cocktails and mocktails, colourful additions to salads, tasty snacks and even as refreshing teas! Yes really! When dahlias were first introduced to Europe from Mexico in the 1800s, they were a starch-rich, edible crop similar to the potato, until growers noticed that the tubers produced a by-product of beautiful flowers, which rapidly became prized as ornamentals over and above food. Dahlias are unstoppably popular Fast forward to 2025 and eating dahlias might sound…

I do like a neat path, whether it’s made of hard bricks or concrete, soft grass, or anything in between. And most of all, I like them when their crisp lines have been softened by flowering plants spilling over the edges from growing beds alongside. It looks more natural, more appealing, and more of an invitation to walk along the pathway and see what is at the end. While you could grow almost any plant next to a path, some are more robust and will tolerate being brushed past on a regular basis and cope with occasionally being stood on. You could select one species to grow on both sides of a path, which will give uniformity and the effect of formality, like a low hedge, or you can choose…

Please identify this pretty shrub Hibiscus is an easy-going plant for summer colour Q Please can you identify this plant and advise how and when to prune it as to my knowledge it has not been done for over 20 years. Clive G. Bumpus (via email) A Lucky you. What a splendid specimen of ‘Woodbridge’, a variety of Hibiscus syriacus, hardy in most of Britain and commonly called tree hollyhock or tree mallow. No routine pruning is necessary. As it flowers in late summer or early autumn, shorten old, woody stems to an accommodating length now, cutting them back to a bud or stem joint. Also remove thin, spindly growth. Additionally, keep the centre of the bush open so that air circulates freely to reduce the risk of pests and…

Much-loved TV gardening star Charlie Dimmock will headline the National Amateur Gardening Show when it returns this summer. The spectacular show is taking place at the South of England Showground over the weekend of July 12 and 13. AG editor Kim Stoddart said: “Following on from the staggering success of the relaunch of AG back in November 2023, we are delighted to now bring back the National Amateur Gardening Show for gardeners and readers old and new. This event will channel the spirit of AG with lots of interactive hands-on features, down-to-earth expert advice, exciting plants and products, entertainment and much more besides. On behalf of Team AG I can tell you that everyone involved is very excited and can’t wait to get out there, meet our readers and have…

One of my top April jobs in the kitchen garden is to put up my bean frames. It is too early here in Wales to plant out frost-sensitive climbing and runner beans, as the last frosts are in May. However, I do like to be prepared. May is such a busy month when it seems that everything needs planting out all at once, and the last thing I want to be doing is searching for, and putting up, bean poles. It is also good to get this job done during the usually damper month of April, when the soil is softer and it is easier to push the poles into the ground. Over the years I have noticed that teepee-shaped bean frames tend to be more robust during the windy…

The next four weeks can be the riskiest time of the year, with a strong likelihood of sudden, really hard frosts, often during a period of beautiful sunny weather. Even hardy plants as tough as stinging nettles can be burnt as new growth is still so young and tender. Our garden plants may suffer more and particularly vulnerable are the blossoms of fruit trees and bushes, newly emerged seedlings and young shoots, especially asparagus. If we don’t take a few simple measures a whole crop may be lost. Moreover, very soon we’ll also be wanting to plant out bedding and other tender plants, tempted by a recent period of wonderful warmer weather. We know it’s better to wait until all danger of frost has passed, yet with more weather variability…