Then on 12th May we will be chatting to this months writer Lee Connelly Live at 7pm on the @gardenfolkmag page
Over the next few months, as part of this year ’ s Garden Folk grow along, we will be growing a range of our favourite edible flowers and sharing our progress with you through the magazine and our social media We're growing: Cornflowers, Nasturtiums, Pansies, Calendula, Amaranth, and Borage from The Hampshire Seed Company.
There is still time to sow your seeds (look back at our April Issue for tips on sowing them) but if you already sowed them last month, you might have some little seedlings growing away by now and will be ready for stage 2- potting them on.
You'll need: small pots, compost, and something like a chop stick, plant label or fork to prise them out with.
Wait until your seedlings have at least 2 ‘true’ leaves (the first pair don’t count) then either:
Use one of the suggested tools to lever out each seedling carefully. Hold a leaf rather than the stem (if the stem breaks, the plant won’t grow) and try to include all the root. or
Tip the whole pot of seedlings onto your hand, hold the ball of soil with the seedlings on top and ‘drop’ it onto a flat surface a short distance below This should separate the seedlings and make them easy to pick up individually (again, hold them by a leaf)
Once you have separated your seedlings you will want to work swiftly to avoid them drying out so its a good idea to prepare some pots of compost ahead of time All you will then need to do is use your finger to create a hole in the centre and lower each seedling into it Tap the pot gently to settle the compost around the roots and water
If you can, bottom watering is a good method to use with seedlings as it prevents the seedlings getting damaged Just add a couple of centimetres of water to a shallow tray and stand your pots into it they will soak up all they need over a 5 -10 minute period.
It’s now time to let your seedlings grow on and if your last frost date has passed you can let them do this outside. Check the last frost date in your area at Last Frost Date.
Do remember that not all flowers are edible, some plants with edible flowers may not have edible leaves or roots and some flowers such as Foxgloves, Azaleas and Lily of the Valley are deadly poisonous! Always do your research and don't eat it if you're not completely sure it's safe! You can find an extensive list of harmful plants here
If you are one of our paid Garden Folk Supporters you can expect to receive seeds from THE HAMPSHIRE SEED COMPANY in the post very soon.
If you ’ re not a subscriber but would like to join in with the grow along, you can purchase seeds from The Hampshire Seed company or if you have some of these varieties sitting in the bottom of your seed box, get them out and get them sown! If you are sharing your gardening journey on Instagram or Facebook, we’d love you to tag @gardenfolkmag or use #EdibleFlowerFolk so we can follow your progress
Borage
Pansies
Calendula
Cornflower
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been someone who lives with the ever-present hum of anxiety. The kind that sneaks into quiet moments, whispers doubts into your ear even when you do something you love, and sits heavy on your shoulders and chest. Stress and perfectionism are constant companions, pushing me to keep going when I should pause and slow down, convincing me that “good enough” isn’t enough and that I will never be good enough Add in undiagnosed and untreated PTSD, childhood trauma, (which is now diagnosed by a therapist and it is something we are working on) and an unrelenting tendency to run past my limits, and it’s no surprise that everything eventually came crashing down
Last year, I hit the wall Hard I burned out completely, and all that was left of me was a shell of who I once was My mind felt like a relentless storm chaotic, overwhelming, and impossible to quiet Even stepping outside felt like a monumental task some days, and honestly it sometimes still does But in those dark days, my wildlife garden flickers softly as a warm and caring light
My Little Wild Space
Wildlife gardening isn’t just about creating a haven for birds, bees, and butterflies (though that’s a big part of it) It’s about fostering a connection to something bigger than yourself a world that exists outside the chaos of your own mind For me, it became, and is, a much needed lifeline
The Bees That Made Me Pause
During some of my darkest days, when my mind is too full and my chest feels too tight, I stepped outside and watched the bees in the garden. Their gentle hum and fluttering movements gently reminded me to slow down, to breathe, and to just be. Thinking about them about the flowers they needed, the nectar they sought gave me some purpose. It wasn’t just about planting seeds; it was about planting hope and blooms for them Sowing wildflower seeds became my way of taking small, manageable steps forward Each tiny seed felt like a promise to the bees, and, in turn, to myself Watching the flowers bloom and seeing the bees return gave me a sense of accomplishment, which is a rare feeling for me to have
Flowers will bring in plenty of pollinators
In summer your garden will be filled with wildlife.
The Birds That Brought Me Calm
On days when anxiety leaves me housebound, the birds become my companions. Filling the feeders gives me a reason to step outside, even if it is just for a moment. And sitting back to watch them blackbirds foraging in the soil, sparrows squabbling over sunflower seeds, blue tits adding flashes of colour to the garden brings a flicker of calm to my overly full mind
The Peaceful Pond
When my partner and I built our wildlife pond, I didn’t realize how much it would also become a pool of calm for my own mind Sitting by the water, watching frogs bask on the edges and dragonflies dance across the surface, feels like being wrapped in nature’s quiet embrace There is something deeply soothing about the pond; its gentle ripples, the soothing sound of water, and the soft hum of life around it
Lessons from the Garden
Through wildlife gardening, I begin to learn (and re-learn), step by step, some of life’s most important lessons:
It’s okay to slow down! - The natural world operates at its own pace, unhurried and steady Watching it unfold teaches me that it’s okay to take things one step at a time The flowers don’t rush to bloom and I should take their example and allow myself to not rush either
Things don’t have to be perfect! - Wildlife gardening is a bit messy, and it is a big part of the charm of it. It’s leaving piles of leaves for hedgehogs, letting the lawn grow wild for pollinators, and allowing the “weeds” to flourish because they’re a vital food source. My garden doesn’t have to be perfect to be perfect for wildlife and no matter how hard my mind tells me differently, it’s not fair to demand perfection from myself.
Every small act matters! - Filling a bird feeder, planting a flower, leaving a patch of bare soil for solitary bees each small act feels like a step forward,and when everything else felt overwhelming, those little acts gave me a moment to breathe and feel like I, and what I do, matters
You’re part if something bigger! - Gardening for wildlife reminded me that I’m part of a much larger world. The bees, the birds, the frogs they don’t judge, they don’t have expectations I need to uphold, and they share the garden with me as equals. That sense of connection is incredibly grounding.
Make sure to provide a space for birds to feed.
Be on the lookout for frogs hiding in the bushes.
My Wildlife Garden, My Safe Haven
The last few months, I often felt as if I was drowning, and that feeling is still there days when anxiety whispers in my ear, traumas catch up with me, and the weight of perfectionism creeps back in I still have a very long way to go, with therapy and finding my way back to myself slowly but surely, and during this ongoing journey, with ups and downs, my wildlife garden has become my safe haven It’s a place where I can pause, breathe, and reconnect with myself and the natural world around me It’s where I find those precious moments of peace, joy, and healing often in the smallest, most unexpected ways
If you ’ re struggling, if the world feels too loud or overwhelming, I encourage you to step outside. Start small. Plant a flower for the bees. Fill a feeder for the birds. Build a bug hotel or a log pile and watch who comes to visit. The beauty of wildlife gardening isn’t just in the flowers or the creatures it’s also in the way it invites you to slow down, to breathe, to find joy in the smallest moments, and to remember that you ’ re never truly alone.
Take a moment to enjoy the calm of your garden.
A garden filled with wildlife is a happy garden.
In this article Laura talks us through a hard time in her life. This article may not be suitable for all readers due to mention of suicide.
I used to think I was a strong and resilient person who could just handle bumps in life with a "shit happens" attitude.
I sat and held my 19 year old nephew's hand as he took his last breath before donating his organs to charity in June 2012 I held my mum's hand 2 years later as she went to sleep for the final time I was strong I was sad and mourning, but I was "okay " Mum died in June 2014
In August 2023, I finally reached the "anger" stage of my grief Because the world I was living in kept taking things from me in 2023 First, my dear friend Brooklyn Then Ash’s great aunty Pat Then a dear neighbour My baby My 11 year old foster niece of seven years passed suddenly in her sleep My feline companion of 14 years, Barney, slipped over the rainbow bridge as I held him tightly
I was angry. Furious, in fact. But I didn't realise right away that it was actually my mum that I was angry with. How could she have left me to face all of this alone? How was she not there to hold me and tell me it would be okay? How was she not there to celebrate my 40 birthday in spite of all this terrible loss? th
By LauraWhiskens
@lottieonthehill
Lauras allotment has provided a happy place for to step away from the hard days of life.
Growing your own food provides you joy in the hardest of times.
In the end, I just wanted to be with her. I snapped. After realising that I wasn’t able to face it all, I took some pills to help me fall asleep and be with her for a while. I went to the hospital, and my whole body was twitching as my nervous system tried to deal with the number of pills I'd taken
Thankfully, I didn't do myself any long-term damage And even more thankfully, I woke up I took 6 weeks from work, then had a 2 month window of a phased return to work The fact that my workplace and manager were so supportive was amazing to me It meant that I wasn't anxious about going back and that I was able to take it one day at a time
It's taken a long time, and a dose of Sertraline daily (and a course of talking therapy and gardening and art therapy) but I finally feel like myself again My smiles aren't forced. I enjoy socialising again. Most importantly, I enjoy my plot again. Because there was a period of time that I would just come and sit at the allotment and not do anything because I didn't have the energy to try. And that was okay too. Because sometimes just being at the allotment, listening to the birds and soaking up the fresh air and beauty of my surroundings was just the medicine I needed.
Having a space to grow and nurture, literally saved my life It continues to help me to heal and recover, and to support me when I have those inevitable wobbles The gardening community has been so supportive, and I’ve been so lucky to find a bunch of wonderful, like-minded friends who check in and make me smile It took a lot for me to speak up and ask for help I’m so glad that I found the strength to do it
Don’t be ashamed I'm not ashamed or embarrassed about what happened to me I'm grateful that all these things were available to help me I'm grateful that I was able to say "yes" and accept the help I was offered and that I am here today. Not always thriving, but very much surviving. Some days are great days and yes, I do thrive. Some days I just pat myself on the back for getting out of bed.
Since sharing publicly about my own experience, I’ve had others reach out to me. What I always say to them is to ask for help. Speak to your GP. A trusted friend or colleague. Tell someone that you are struggling. Don’t suffer in silence It takes a lot of courage to speak up But you are so much stronger than you think
Floriography and folklore have assigned many meanings to flowers over the centuries Including the symbolism of resilience and reincarnation Summer is drawing near which means that most of our plants have woken up again, resurrected after the long chill of winter Some are already blooming whilst others are just preparing to blossom Or sprouting from a simple seed, proudly growing their first foliage New life has emerged once more, developing at their own pace Speaking of second chances here are two plants that are predominantly associated with transformation, reflection and the godly gift of a fresh, floral start.
Daffodils are fading now they’ve shown off all spring. Their Latin name is “narcissus” but the exact origin of this word is unclear. It may have connections to the Greek for nausea. Potentially due to their toxicity and the sickness even their pungent smell can cause. With the English term “daffodil” possibly being derived from “asphodel” and the title of ”Lent lily” given because of the time they are typically thriving Ready to be used in Saint David’s Day or Easter celebrations However, the story of a man called Narcissus was recorded in Ovid’s Metamorphoses It recounts that this handsome youth became so fixated with himself, enraptured by his own reflection on the surface of a river, that he transformed into a plant After he refused to leave the bank, he wasted away and died or fell into the water and drowned This bout of vanity might have been a punishment by Hera for his cruel rejection of the nymph Eco Daffodils allegedly appeared in the spot where he perished. Heads bowed to try and catch a glimpse of their gorgeous faces in the stream.
Now Narcissus brings joy to others instead and his namesake stands for self love and good fortune with the first flower of the year delivering wealth and prosperity in Wales. Whilst daffodils carved on gravestones symbolise a fulfilling life and the cherished memories that person created They serve as a reminder that our existence can be fleeting so the world should be embraced with enthusiasm and optimism
@ thequietplace
Cornflower, also known as “bachelor’s button”, is associated with romance, devotion and healing too. Traditionally worn on suits to determine whether men were looking for love: if this bright, edible bloom faded quickly then a relationship would too, but if it stayed fresh then the couple could expect to live happily ever after.
Their Latin title “centaurea” is a reference to Chiron the centaur and herbalist. Half a horse but also a wise mentor who lived on Mount Pelion and taught mythical heroes like Jason and Achilles all about hedgerow medicine When Chiron was accidentally wounded by a poison tipped arrow he tried to use a cornflower compress as an antidote to Hydra venom, which was a multi-headed snake defeated by his student Hercules A monster sometimes shown as a giant slug! Hercules had laced his weapons with this toxin but unfortunately the plant wasn’t powerful enough Nine days later Chrion died Unintentionally killed by his own pupil, who he didn’t blame Then he was honoured amongst the stars as the constellation Centaurus and immortalised in the etymology of the flower that almost saved him
Another of their names reflects their colour as “ cyanus ” means dark blue and is connected to a young man called Kyanos. He was allegedly infatuated with the goddess Flora and spent every day gathering “star thistles” to make garlands and offerings for her alter. Only dressing in cobalt clothes. He became too obsessed, rarely leaving the meadows, and was eventually found dead in the middle of a field With cornflowers encircling his body Presumably he’d passed away doing what he loved, picking flowers for Flora She was heartbroken and named them after him, to commemorate his dedication and veneration So it’s easy to see why they’ve become a sign of enduring affection In general, both these plants are proof that nature heals and unexpected changes can become positive experiences The twists and turns of life that seem difficult at first might be a chance for us to transform, reinvent and reevaluate To overcome adversity and return stronger and more beautiful than before
Cornflowers will provide food all through summer.
Finding your own growing space will bring you so much joy.
By JayneWallace
@theallotmentmum
It always surprises me how many people I know on Instagram who see their gardens as their sanctuary
Down on my plot, most people don’t seem to see it that way I am certainly different to my plot mates, as without my allotment I’m not sure what kind of person I would still be
For the first four years of my plot journey, TheNotAllotmentDad called it my antidepressant. I came off medication within a year of having the plot and I’ve only just gone back on, as even with the sanctuary of the garden, my stress levels are a tad high: that’s what having neuro spicy teens and preteens in the house will do to the unsuspecting parent! This is why the allotment is only owned by me... the family may come down a handful of times, but it is only my name on the lease. I gave up my career when Pip was born. I became the carer, the home maker, the medical support, the taxi driver.
My sense of self became a thin thread that was pulled taut and threatened to snap on several occasions. Having something that showed what impact I could have on the world, a project-based pastime that gave direct results became of huge importance. The allotment was my purpose away from the family, whilst still giving to family life. Offsetting our household costs with home grown produce, bringing home cut flowers that cost pennies for seeds rather than pounds from the shops, really helped my head space, helped me feel like I was still contributing in some way
Five years on and the allotment has grown into a passion that is only rivalled by my love of my family and maybe food: my old work skills as a librarian means I am now the go to person on the playground about plants and growing The school coerces me into planning garden work, the community hub I volunteer at welcomes input for the allotment bed and my mates all know that if they need ideas for their green spaces I’m the person to come to. This is not me saying I’m an expert on growing, far from it, but the amount of research I do on growing means I can at least refer people to the experts that I learn from!
A decade ago I would never have guessed that this would be where I am. My black thumb is now resolutely green, my seed collection rivals my book collection and I am now well and truly grounded in the growing calendar rather than being stuck in the continuous swirl of work and society I know when the last frosts are predicted to be, I look forward to Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice as times to get in the greenhouse and sow, rather than sit on the sofa in the evenings I am looking out for the new colours each year, revelling in the new growth of plants and the success of harvests Regardless of how the rest of my life suffers ups and downs, the allotment is my constant and the foundation of my ability to cope My mental health, whilst not robust, is not eggshell fragile anymore probably because it is now encased in a layer of compost, held together with roots and shielded by foliage. That fragile egg is now becoming stronger and more resilient; less likely to smash against the buffeting winds of life as a SEN parent, the bleak numbness of depression, or the sense of doom felt as an Eco Worrier. At least in my own little patch I can build structure to offset these fears... and build resilience at the same time.
As always, the allotment can push me forward. It is the hug that I can share with anyone who needs it, including anyone reading this It gives me energy and purpose so I can move onwards and upwards
Rewildingmymind atRainton Meadows
By Sophie Mae @sophs.mae.garden
For me, walks have such a big impact on my physical and mental health The walks themselves help me to ground myself, and making going for walks in nature a habit has helped me to improve my wellbeing The concept of ‘getting your steps in’ is a fixture of modern living where we ’ re (mostly) tied to our desks and screens for a large portion of our days, but I ended up in a rut where I wasn’t enjoying getting out and walking as much as I used to For anyone else in a similar position, I recommend giving Rewild Yourself by Simon Barnes a read It helped me reset my mentality when it came to my daily walks and to get back to walking for the joy of being in nature, not numbers, fitness is just a happy byproduct.
Thankfully, we ’ re lucky enough to live within walking distance of Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve, which is part of Durham Wildlife Trust. It’s a wonderfully seasonal walk, both the travel to and from as well as the reserve itself, and so it always provides novelty to keep the walk fresh. In March, I might walk past lambs in the farmer’s fields on my way to the reserve, other times I may hear geese honking overhead as they return in the autumn
In an attempt to remain present and mindful, I try my best to take notice of all of my senses during this walk There’s a lovely little stream that connects two of the ponds at the reserve and I find the sound of the running water soothing and grounding If I sense my thoughts wandering, I try to bring myself back by paying attention to that sound It’s also lovely to see and hear the Exmoor ponies on the walk, they’re around for half the year and help with meadow management.
It’s a fantastic walk if you like birdwatching, I always bring my binoculars (another tip from Simon Barnes) I love taking a break from the walk to pop into one of the hides and see what’s there on any given day Lapwings, mute swans and tufted ducks are among the regulars, but I’ve also enjoyed seeing oystercatchers and, of course, the migrating geese
If you ’ re into foraging, the route to the reserve is a great walk to get started and identify edible plants Brambles are abundant, and it’s brilliant for elderflowers in the spring and elderberries in the autumn You can also find mugwort and chamomile along the path too
Next time you head out, pause and look, bring binoculars and see what wild things you might find. For someone like me who’s always in a rush, a walking meditation or walk in nature is both a challenge and a blessing. I always feel revitalised afterwards.
Lambs taking
Ponies grazing
Whose ready for foraging?
When I was asked to write about some of my favourite walks, I jumped at the chance to show you some of the fantastic places to walk and visit here in Suffolk. As many of you know, I love taking Archie out fora walk, and we have found some of our favourite destinations around the places I have lived. If you haven’t downloaded it already, I would download OS Maps, as that can be a lifesaver
Shotley Peninsula
By Amy West
Shotley Peninsula is what I would call the largest cul-de-sac in the county; there is pretty much one road in and one road out; however, there are some lovely walks It is one of the only places I have found where you can do an 8-mile or a 2-mile round trip and be exposed to fields, sea air, woodland and marshes all at once There is free parking available at the village hall or down at the marina, offering a fabulous view of Felixstowe and Harwich ports And if you are lucky enough to be there at sunset or sunrise, the skies are stunning
If you park at the village hall, you can walk through the fields down to the River Stour, which overlooks Essex and Harwich There are Oysters in the Stour, and you will see an array of Marshland Birds Once you get to the river, you have two choices: you can go left towards Shotley Gate or right towards Holbrook. If you go towards Shotley Gate, you will witness the new Ganges development, with a museum of the Ganges training base and a pub called the Shipwreck, which serves lovely food. From Shotley Gate, you can catch a Ferry to Harwich or Felixstowe. If you head right towards Holbrook, you will see fields and sandy beaches, and you will come across Holbrook Creek, where many families walk down from Holbrook and enjoy the estuary water. If you are fortunate, you might bump into Grifth Rhys Jones!
Shotley marshes
Felixstowe and Harwich at sunrise
Hollesley
We only lived in Hollesley for a short time. However, I was greeted with lots of deer and owls on our walks, as well as fresh sea air. If we had walked out of our road and gone right, we would find ourselves walking to the depths of the forest. Rendlesham Forest has a history of reported UFO sightings and alleged alien landings. There are plenty of cycle lanes, under-canopy walking paths, and open-air walking paths. Rendlesham Forest surrounds an inactive airbase, Woodbridge MOD, and if you are lucky, you will witness their training days. In the early mornings, the disused hangers provide a serene sight while you are immersed in the sounds of the birds and the barks of the red deer. Be warned though; there are adders in these heathlands (not that I have ever seen one) If we had walked out of our road and gone Left, we would find ourselves walking through the open prison to the marshes and be greeted with the sea air Shingle Street is another fantastic place, featuring pea shingle dunes, lagoons, and a lovely walk up towards Orford Castle, or the other way would take you towards Felixstowe All along that stretch, you are reminded of the military impact of the wars, with Orford Ness in the distance and the Radar Tower Museum near Bawdsey Scattered along this shoreline are many martello towers If you are fortunate, you will get to witness the kingfishers along the marshes Whilst you are in Hollesley, you can also walk alongside the Suffolk Punch Trust and visit the Suffolk Heritage Garden
There are many fantastic places to visit in Suffolk for great walks, such as Snape Maltings, where you can walk from Snape to Aldeburgh and back Thorpeness offers a variety of attractions, including Peter Pan Lake, Bungay Marshes, Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, and much more. However, you also have fantastic nature walks in towns such as Ipswich, Christchurch Park, and Millennium Green in Halesworth.
Suffolk is a fantastic place to visit, and It’s a place I have settled after living along most of the south coast of England. I'm happy here and love living in this part of the world. For more detailed information on walks, please message me on Instagram.
Enjoy walking no matter where you do it. ��
MOD Woodbridge
Suffolk punch walks
Rendlesham Forest
Archie at the beach.
As a long term adoptee of Southwest london, not only is RHS Hampton my local show but it’s also my favourite It has a really lovely vibe, and I personally find it has a great mix of the aspirational and attainable If you haven’t visited, it’s the usual collection of floral marquee, show gardens, talks etc but has more of a focus on sustainability and growing your own produce than other big shows, and also includes a brilliant children’s zone Not to mention the unique and absolutely stunning backdrop of the seat of the Tudor Court of Henry VIII
So back to that phone call. All at once I experienced a rush of emotions ranging from OMGEEEEE squee, to OMGEEEEE what have I done? I’m currently on maternity leave, so on the one hand you could argue it’s a great time to embark on such a project as I don’t need to take time off work, on the other hand how on earth am I going to juggle this with a baby? Ultimately though, it’s such a fantastic opportunity and I have a great support network, so between now and early July I am in full on Hampton mode!
Being a kitchen gardener, one of my favourite parts of the show is the community allotments section For the last few years, each time I’ve visited, I’ve thought to myself how I fancy trying my hand at building one This year I finally decided to approach my local primary school to see if they would be interested in joining forces I help out with the gardening club on a Friday, where Year 6 students with additional needs are given reprieve from the classroom to get involved with various projects around the school grounds It’s honestly so beautiful to see how gardening builds confidence and motivation in children, how therapeutic time in nature can be and how even the smallest garden can enable children to thrive
Mr B the school headmaster was on board, as was Mrs M who runs the gardening club, so I finished off my design, submitted the paperwork and then waited. As previously mentioned, I wasn’t convinced we would get through the selection process given how competitive it is, but I really hoped we would.
Just over a month later I heard from RHS Holly. It transpired that they had received several applications featuring school allotments and thought it could be fun to bring these into the children’s zone So now our school allotment is a school border –a brand new feature at the Festival which is a pretty exciting thing to be part of!
I’ll be sharing our progress over the next few issues so please do check back next month to find out more about the design and the early stages of bringing it together!
Creations by children at RHS Hampton 2024.
We think everyone needs a lego bee in their garden.
By Kate Dardis @pumpkins etc
Kate has been an avid goer to Hampton for many years.
Last year we shared the journey of some amazing gardeners at GW Live. They even went on to be award winners! This year we have two more growers who have offered to share their journey openly and honestly while creating their Beautiful Borders for Gardeners World Live.
Will you be inspired to create your own show worthy garden?
Heading to GW Live this year grab yourself an exclusive discount below:
SAVE20: 20% off standard adult/concession entry tickets (applies any day), offer expires 23:59 on 7 May 2025
SAVE15: 15% off standard adult/concession entry tickets (excluding Saturday), offer starts 8 May, expires 23:59 on 4 June 2025
It all got real!
What an exciting and emotional few weeks it’s been since my last update on my Gardener’s World Live Beautiful Border adventures! There have been a couple of huge events for me personally, as well as a massive step forward for the border itself.
Firstly, I paid a very emotion Marie Curie Hospice in Solih be aware by now, the garde hospice were the inspiration design and where many of th plants will be donated after t show The hospice is where m mum, Marie, passed away after battling cancer in June 2014, and I found so much solace in the gardens and the serenity of the space there has never left me It has been important to me to visit the volunteer gardening team there to say thank you for the part they played in helping my family and I find some peace during our time there and in moments after mum passed a
Thoughtful change
Good Friends
Another wonderful meeting was with my local garden centre, a family-owned business called Planters, who have agreed to sponsor the border and provide the plants! I have been buying from this garden centre for years, so this is very exciting for me, and I can’t wait to work with them on this project. It’s always lovely sinesses, especially local ones o I’m really honoured that this r team are going to help bring my vision to life
I was shown around the gardens by the wonderful Do and introduced to another 3 of the 20 strong volunteer team The gardens have changed and grown quite a bit in the years that have passed, but the sense of tranquillity and connection to nature is still just as strong. I was reminded of the joyous amount of garden ‘trinkets’ – ornamental frogs, ducks and signs – dotted throughout the gardens. There is now also a children’s fairy garden, to support young children who are visiting parents and relatives at the hospice, and it is the most magical space. This element is something I have decided to add to my garden, and I am happy to be displaying some wonderful work of a couple of small businesses on my border to mirror these beautiful touches
Meaning matters
One of the flowers that will be on the border from my ‘wish list’ is Salvia (ornamental sage) This is a plant I have in my garden at home, as well as at the allotment, and I love it, so it absolutely had to be on my list of plants for the border! When I delved into the eaning and symbolism behind salvias, I found that the are symbolic of wisdom, healing d immortality The blue flowers mean ‘thinking of you ’ and red er mine’. On a more practical s are a low maintenance plant grow. These beautiful blooms ny spot and are loved by bees and butterflies. You can also take cuttings to get extra plants, and believe me – you will want extra salvias!
By LauraWhiskens @lottieonthehill
PhooCred :LauraWhskens
Nothing is simple
Plants used to be my safe head space Somewhere to escape from the day’s stresses and irritations But in the run-up to building this show border, they have started to become something else These days, plants invade my dreams, interrupt conference calls, pop into my head mid conversation about a completely unrelated subject and at any other time you can possibly imagine.
In the last few weeks, I’m hopeful that I’ve solved my biggest border problem: Trees. Show gardens are awash with beautiful trees casting dappled shade lovingly on all who walk past them. But getting hold of these beauties without splashing a small fortune is - as everything else - harder than you’d think. I do not own an articulated lorry to strap the tree onto I do not have anywhere to put it afterwards and I don’t have a roster of clients willing to purchase my cast-offs So it was a bit of a nasty shock when one major tree nursery told me in a bored voice that, ‘ we don’t usually rent trees for show borders as they might not get watered,’ and that ‘ even if they did agree to lend me some specimens, I’d only be allowed to select them one week before the show and they ‘probably wouldn’t have room for them on the truck’.
By AlexandraVa @wyldeandgreen
With a little help
Slightly disheartened (and confused - who doesn’t water their own show border?!) I then started googling how long it would take to drive to Hampshire and back, as Hillier Trees, one of the Gardener’s World sponsors, had kindly offered to rent trees at a discount for the borders and throw delivery in for free With a new part time gardening job now taking up half of my week, the day’s trek there and back would be a bit of a stretch
But then the universe intervened and so for now at least, I think I’ve managed to get the trees for free I went to visit Jack Moody, a plant nursery only 40 minutes from my house in Sutton Coldfield, to talk about the perennials and shrubs I’d be using to populate the gaps between the logs
When we talked about my tree problem, Joe Scott, purchasing manager at the nursery, quite astonishingly offered to order them for me, take them to the show for me, and let me borrow them until the last ticket holders go home for the night Reader, I could have kissed him I couldn’t help hugging him and Joe, if you ’ re reading this, I am sorry if this was inappropriate With this hurdle removed, I’ve been able to fast track to planning the planting which has required a strong degree of self control. The plants need to look good in June, be appropriate for the setting and compliment each other. The of the planting will be ut I’ve started to warm more arid spot towards ge. It’s very, very easy a complete wormhole g at aeoniums but I’ve ven myself a couple of eeks to get the draft list which should hopefully nt too many demented ions I’m also growing some of the myself, either from seed ed on from my garden t is starting to become rer - Alchemilla mollis, ia, some small grasses ervivums are definites; he many, many alliums on the patio, really will hey’re looking at show y is they’re all growing s to the very generous donation of Dalefoot Compost - thanks again you fabulous bunch. Some of the smaller plants-Erigeronkarvinskianus, and some dug up and re-potted garden ferns, are having a rather unusual growing experience. I’m growing them directly in Wool Pots (another very kind sponsor - thankyou so much!) in order to squish them into the log structure and (hopefully) look as if they’ve planted themselves there I’ve also been carving slices of moss and adding them to grow trays but unfortunately about half of this has been pinched by nesting birds Of course, I do want to embrace and help nature but it would be nice if they’d got the memo about this not being an all you can eat buffet Next month, I’m hoping to tell you the story about how I finally convinced someone to cut up my fallen tree into the right size logs as yet, this is still a puzzle that remains unsolved
By Lee Connelly
The School Gardening Tour That’s Inspiring a Generation with National Children’s Gardening Week
This May, something truly special is happening across the UK From the quiet lanes of Derbyshire to the busy classrooms of Colchester, children are digging in, getting muddy, and discovering the joy of gardening, all thanks to the upcoming School Gardening Tour, led by National Children’s Gardening Week Ambassador and CBBC Blue Peter Gardener, Lee Connelly, aka the Skinny Jean Gardener.
With a trowel in one hand and a mission in mind, Lee is setting out on a week-long tour to bring the magic of gardening directly to schools. Visiting 15+ schools in 5 days, and impacting a further 15 school remotely, Each school on the tour will receive an interactive, high-energy gardening session led by Lee himself. Along with his team, Lee will be out in the playground sowing seeds with the whole school, some days with 700 children in one session
The School Gardening Tour is a national movement to reignite the spark of nature and growing in the school curriculum, and in the hearts of children across the country
Gardening has been proven time and again to improve children’s mental wellbeing, health, and support classroom learning Yet, many schools still lack the resources or confidence to get started That’s where this tour comes in
"It’s not just about teaching kids how to garden, it’s about showing them that they can," says Lee "When a child plants a seed, they’re learning patience, care, and that they have the power to make something grow. That’s an incredible lesson."
The tour is perfectly timed to build momentum ahead of National Children’s Gardening Week (24th May - 1st June), where schools and families nationwide are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and get gardening.
Thanks to the incredible support from Ecofective and The HTA’s National Garden Gift Card, the School Gardening Tour is going even further this year, extending the chance to win a £1000 Garden Bundle Prize to families!
Ecofective is a trusted name in eco-friendly gardening products, offering child and pet-safe solutions that help families grow in harmony with nature Their mission aligns perfectly with the values of the tour: sustainability, accessibility, and fun Meanwhile, the National Garden Gift Card, powered by the Horticultural Trades Association, supports over 1,400 garden centres and retailers across the UK, making it easy for anyone to get their hands on the tools, plants, and materials they need
Together, these two powerhouse supporters have helped transform the School Gardening Tour from a grassroots campaign into a national celebration of family gardening inspiring 100s of schools and 1000’s of families throughout this the UK.
To enter the family competition, all you need to do is show us how you ’ re creating memories in the garden, whether it’s a weekend veg patch project, planting sunflowers together, or simply playing with mud pies in the back garden. Snap a photo, share your gardening moment, and visit childrensgardeningweek.co.uk for full entry details.
@skinnyjeangardener
"We wanted to make it exciting," Lee explains. "Sometimes a little extra support is all a family needs to get growing, and this prize could be a real game-changer.” It’s about celebrating the joy of being outside, being together, and discovering the wonders of nature, no matter how big or small your garden space is
While the tour focuses on schools, the message doesn’t stop at the school gates At the heart of Lee’s mission is the belief that gardening can bring families closer together
"In a world full of screens and distractions, the garden is a place where families can connect, get active, and make memories," says Lee
Using the Skinny Jean Gardener’s Three Pillars of Children’s Gardening, Grow Your Own, Wildlife, and Fun, here are three easy ways families can get started:
1. Grow Your Own: Cress Creatures
Take a shallow dish, some cotton wool, and a handful of cress seeds Let your child decorate the container with a face, sprinkle seeds on top, and watch the hair grow! It’s simple, speedy, and teaches responsibility
2. Wildlife: Make a Bug Hotel
Using an old plastic bottle or a pile of sticks, create a mini home for bugs. Tuck it into a quiet corner of the garden and see who moves in. It’s a great way to learn about insects and biodiversity
3. Fun: Gardening Treasure Hunt
Create a nature-based scavenger hunt. Look for different leaf shapes, colours, or insects. Not only does it get kids outside, but it encourages observation and curiosity.
The 2025 School Gardening Tour wouldn’t be possible without the support of Ecofective, a leading eco-friendly gardening product brand, and National Garden Gift Card, who are both proudly sponsoring this year's initiative.
Their involvement has made it possible to reach more schools, provide more resources, and amplify the message that gardening is for everyone, regardless of space, budget, or experience "It’s thanks to these partnerships that we can take gardening straight to the kids, without barriers," says Lee "We’re not just growing gardens We’re growing futures "
As the tour rolls into towns across the country, families, educators, and communities are encouraged to follow along on social media, share their own gardening adventures, and support the schools involved Whether you ’ re planting potatoes or just pottering around the patio, every little moment in the garden counts
This May, let’s grow something amazing together.
Follow @skinnyjeangardener and @nationalchildrensgardeningweek on Instagram and use the hashtag #NCGW25 to get involved.
Hi I am Samuel and I would like to share with you a seed sowing method I use called seed snails Seed snails are like a Swiss roll, but made from compost and material. They are good because you do not have to use as much compost as you would use in a pot and they don't take up as much room on your windowsill when they are germinating You can choose how big your seed snail is by changing the length and width of the material you are using. I use a wider piece of material when I am sowing long rooted plants like peas.
This is how i make my seed snails:-
First I cut up an old compost bag into strips and put a layer of compost on it, making sure I leave a gap of maybe a few centimetres at one end. I water the compost until it is damp because it is easier to roll later Then, for big seeds, like peas, I put them on the compost before I roll, and for little seeds I roll it up and sprinkle them on later. It is now time to roll, making sure I roll it from the end that I have not left a space, I roll it fairly tight so the compost does not fall out, and put on an elastic band. It is as simple as that.
Once your plants are grown and have big roots, you can unroll it and pot them on or plant them in the ground The good thing about seed snails is that there is less root disturbance.
So far, I have used seed snails for sowing peas, spinach, leeks, lettuce and flowers.
You can see me making the seed snails on my instagram at @samandthesoil
Making Funky Flowers!
What you’ll need
Cut flowers from the garden or shop
A pot of water
Coloured ink or food colouring
Step 1 - Find your flowers White ones (like daffodils or daisies) will probably work best and make the dye more obvious but it’s up to you. Try it with some coloured blooms if you prefer.
Step 2 - Fill a pot or jar of water.
Step 3 - Add your dye. Make sure there is plenty of ink or food colouring in the water. Twenty to thirty drops to make the colour nice and bright. You could have a go at mixing equal parts of two shades together to create a different one (like purple from red and blue or green from blue and yellow) if you only have primary colours.
Step 4 - Put the flowers in and be patient Place your cut flower stems in the water and leave them for a couple of days It will take time for the dye to travel up the stems and through the petals and make the funky patterns If you keep an eye on them you might be able to see this happening gradually! Did you know that the movement of water from the soil (or a vase) through a plant is driven by an evaporative process called transpiration which aids photosynthesis?
Step 5 - Take a picture If you have a go yourself please share the results using #FunkyFolkFlowers so we can see how they’ve turned out
@ thequietplace
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Is there anything more beautiful than tulips in bloom.
By Kerry Tomlinson
What a glorious few weeks we have had with the weather! This has created lots of outdoor gardening opportunities and meant we ’ ve been able to re-paint our raised beds the colour they were always destined to be. I explained last time that we had a hiccup with our paint not matching the tester and turns out, it was the tester that was the faulty product I’ve spent a couple of weeks trying to recreate the tester colour and finally found exactly what I was after by combining two colours together We used Paint & Paper Library architect matt paint and mixed in equal measures ‘Wattle’ and ‘Truffle’ to create our own unique colour which we have aptly named, ‘Waffle’ This combination has created a shade of beige with a hint of green that looks natural and timeless We love the colour so much that we ’ ve decided to use it to transform our fence panels too
This month we have added a new feature to create an entrance to the Kitchen Garden An arch was something that we had planned for this space right from the beginning Originally, we were going to design and build our own with the help of my Dad but sadly the timing of adding this hasn't fallen right for us. My Dad's health isn't what it was and my husband has surgery scheduled, meaning he will be out of action for at least six weeks. This is when having pals in the industry and the right price is, well, a no brainer really. We ordered ourselves a wooden Colwyn arch from Zest. It took minimal effort to assemble and we got this fixed in place and painted just before Rob went into hospital.
We were going to grow a fragrant rose over this arch but that plan has changed slightly in that there will now be a ‘Phase two’ to this Kitchen Garden project The private allotment that I share with my Mum, where the chickens reside, is closing down The landowner sadly passed away at Christmas and the estate will be sold So, come the end of the year we will no longer be plot holders We have decided to therefore bring the chickens home and not seek an alternative allotment site Phase two will require my gorgeous, fragrant David Austin ‘Strawberry Hills’ rose to serve as a more prominent feature So, for this growing season the Zest arch will instead be adorned with cucumbers and sweet peas Before I could even source my own sweet peas, I had the best gift arrive from my lovely friend Ali She sent me some ‘Pink Tangier Pea’ seeds They are the most wonderful shade of pink and were sown without any hesitation.
Speaking of happy mail, I also received a surprise envelope from the team here at Garden Folk magazine. It contained their Edible Flower Folk seed collection created in collaboration with The Hampshire Seed Company. I can report that I have some very happy little seedlings growing in the greenhouse and as soon as they are big enough, they will find their way out into our raised beds So come and join me next time for some planting out
Look at all these happy Edible Flower seedlings!
What a stunning arch.
@lottie thyme
Grow something a bit different for your salad bowl this year.
This year I thought I would try something a bit different when it came to salad crops, I had such a bad year last year with the slugs and snails I thought I would give lots of new varieties and some left field ideas a try.
@gardeneriddler
Firstly, let me share with you a few perennial salad crops that are a game changer Have you ever heard of Persica odorata? No, how about the common name Vietnamese Coriander? It’s exactly as the name suggests; it tastes ike coriander but it’s a perennial and doesn’t bolt if it gets too warm If you bring it inside for winter it should keep you going for years! It’s a thirsty plant so ensure you keep it well watered Also, you only need a few leaves to give you that coriander hit- you don’t need anywhere near as much as ordinary coriander
The other one is Diplotaxis tenuifolia, easy for me to say right? The common name is Wild Rocket, it will not bolt like normal rocket and is delicious. It produces so many leaves you that will never be short of salad. If it gets too big for your space, just cut it back and it will put on some fresh growth. You need never struggle with bolting rocket ever again.
The first new one I am trying is Malabar Spinach which I first saw in a show garden last year, an absolutely stunning plant that I didn’t realise was edible until I spoke to the garden designer It grows on a vine which has red stems and the leaves are heart shaped I am hoping I can get them growing, so far I only have little seedlings but let’s hope this gorgeous weather gives them a kick up the behind
So many seedlings ready to grow into fantastic salads!
Malabar Spinach
Vietnamese Coriander
Will you be sowing green purslane?
Next up is a plant that has been grown for hundreds of years in India and is believed to ward of evil spirits which we could all do with about now Green Purslane is a green leaf plant that can either be eaten raw or cooked in a very similar way to spinach I haven’t had any germination yet but I have only just sowed the seeds this week so check out my socials for updates.
Have you ever heard of or tried Samphire? The next recommendation is supposed to be a good substitute and you don’t need salt water to grow it. It’s called Agretti. It looks similar to samphire, almost succulent like. People in Japan call it land seaweed and I can see why. Again I have only just sown the seeds but it says on the packet that it’s easy to grow and I love to try something new.
My final weird one is Horn of Plenty which is a lovely looking salad plant that apparently has a fabulous walnut flavour It is a Mediterranean plant so loves a sunny spot and won’t bolt like traditional salad crops It is also great for pollinators once it goes to flower; another plant that is both ornamental and edible
Another great salad crop that I swear by is Perpetual spinach that is a member of the beet family and will keep you in salad leaves all year Just keep picking and they will stay nice and small, and unlike spinach, it won’t bolt and doesn’t mind it dry, so perfect for our current hot spell
Before I go, don’t forget if you ’ re growing beetroot, eat the young leaves as part of your salads ahead of harvesting the roots later in the year. Another great plant to eat the leaves of whilst the roots are growing is Oca which has clover like leaves. Don’t eat too many though as they contain oxalic acid, but a few in your salad makes a great addition. They have a grape like flavour to them and in autumn you will get lemony potatoes, and I personally love the look of the plant- win win.
Marc admiring all his goodies ready to harvest.
Agretti seeds ready to pop.
The lean-to greenhouse from @forestgardenltd has been the perfect place for seed sowing this Spring
In the two months since I last shared the progress of my polytunnel project, the transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. What started as a simple garden dream has quickly evolved into a thriving home allotment, and I couldn’t be more excited about the journey so far
Creating a 3m sweet pea wall is going to be epic - but tying in and removing tendrils is a full time job - what was I thinking?
By Kim O’Brien
Alongside the beautiful 3x4m polytunnel that was gifted to me by @polyecogreenhouses, I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with @forestgardenltd, who have kindly provided me with a stunning 4x6ft leanto greenhouse, part of their brand-new range for 2025. Standing in this new addition and at my new, @forestgardenltd potting bench, the heady wooden fragrance has transported me back to the lakeshore log cabins of my second home in Canada, and has made seed sowing a truly immersive, mindful and reminiscent process! Maybe that’s why I’ve sown so much this year…
In the polytunnel, I’ve created space to accommodate the multitude of seed trays by adding two large shelving units at the far end I may have got a little carried away with the flower seed sowing, germinating enough for what could arguably be a small flower farm, and I haven’t even accounted for the dahlias yet! To accommodate the increasing number of seedlings, I have added a third (and final!) shelving unit, and the space is now bursting with the promise of a flower-filled season
The sowing began back in February with sweet peas, and while waiting for germination, I turned my attention to building a 3-meter long climbing wall inside the polytunnel using a mix of canes and recycled plastic netting which I’ve reused now for over a decade Though the netting has seen better days with a few holes here and there; it’s perfect for supporting my sweet peas; and being eco-conscious; it saves sending it to landfill. I’ve sited the wall on the sunniest side of the polytunnel, and I can already envision the breathtaking sight, and fragrance, of a 3-meter sweet pea wall in full bloom. I can’t wait for that moment!
Outside the polytunnel, I’ve been busy planting first and second early potatoes (Pentland Javelin and Jazzy) and I’m creating raised beds and planters for a mix of edible crops and ornamentals. I’m really excited to be planting a mini woodland of six silver birch trees that were used in my showcase garden at BBC Gardeners World Live last year, and if that isn’t exciting enough, there will be a designated area beside the lean-to greenhouse which will feature a stunning selection of cottage garden plants This private corner will evoke the feeling of a secret hideaway, where we can enjoy our homegrown food surrounded by flowers, all while overlooking the beautiful wooden greenhouse they were sown in
@gardenwithkim
My top tip for deterring mice from nibbling peas is placing rotting garlic cloves on the soil. So far it’s worked! No nibbling!
p g p y and brown varieties, and the garlic though a little behind schedule, are shooting through and catching up in strides I’ve also sown oca, a new crop to me, kindly gifted by Sam @happyplacegardener Radishlike at first glance, it’s treated like a potato in terms of chitting, so I’m excited to incorporate it into our outdoor dining.
The broad beans are thriving, nearly doubling in size within days of being planted out, and the kohl rabi is doing equally well. I set up pea frames from bamboo canes and plastic mesh (again re-cycled for many years), and used my top tip for deterring rodents (who love peas!) with a clever trick: I placed rotting garlic cloves at the base of the pea frame. So far, it’s worked like a charm, and I’ll be doing the same for my sweet peas, as the garlic’s scent keeps rodents away The radishes, Brussels sprouts, red cabbages, salsify, peppers, chillies and tomatoes are growing well too under cover
With 25x5 meters of space to work with, the 3x4 polytunnel is only a part of the story There’s still plenty of work to do I’ve got the new @forestgardenltd gate to put up and about 15 meters of fencing to finish to make the space secure for our animals, oh, and we ’ ve got a bit of garden waste to clear, but the sun is shining, and I think it’s time to sow a few more vegetable seeds!
After all, there’s always room for one more plant in the garden
The occa from Sam @happyplacegardener all chitted and ready to plant
The occa is now growing away happily in the polytunnel
As May unfolds, the garden reaches a crescendo of life
Flowers are in full bloom and the longer, warmer days bring an abundance of wildlife activity
Pollinators buzz happily from plant to plant, birds are busy raising their young, hedgehogs can be seen foraging at dusk, and ponds come alive with frogs, newts, and the glimmering wings of dragonflies and damselflies. For wildlife gardeners, May is a month of beauty, energy, and opportunity a time to fully embrace the vibrant world of the garden and the life it supports
y
Wildlife Garden Tips and Jobs for May
Support Pollinators with Continuous Blooms
Keep your garden buzzing by planting flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer Hardy geraniums, cornflowers, alliums, and aquilegia are great choices to keep your garden pollinator-friendly Aim to provide a mix of shapes and sizes to attract a variety of insects
Help Birds Feed Their Growing Families
With many bird species raising their young in May, provide protein-rich foods like mealworms and suet to help them care for their chicks. Fresh water for drinking and bathing is essential too. Avoid trimming hedges this month, as birds are still nesting
Leave Areas Wild for Nesting Pollinators
Solitary bees and other pollinators are still searching for safe nesting sites. Leave patches of bare soil, hollow stems, or undisturbed corners in your garden to give them a helping hand.
Hoverflies will love all the flowers.
Sunflowers will add colour and life to your garden whilst providing abundance for wildlife.
Maintain Your Pond for Wildlife
Ponds are teeming with life in May, making it the perfect time to remove any debris that’s built up Keep an eye on water levels and top up with rainwater if needed Add floating plants like water lilies to provide shade and cover for ponddwellers.
Provide Shelter for Hedgehogs and Small Mammals
Create safe spaces for hedgehogs and small mammals by leaving a corner of your garden wild or adding a log pile for shelter Keep an eye out for hedgehogs at dusk as they forage for food.
Encourage Hoverflies and Other Beneficial Insects
Plant flowers like calendula, yarrow, and fennel to attract hoverflies, which are fantastic pollinators and natural pest controllers These insects will help keep your garden blooming and healthy
Steps for the Months Ahead
Prepare for Summer Blooms
In May, sow fast-growing annuals like zinnias, cosmos, and sunflowers to ensure a stunning display of color in summer. These flowers not only brighten your garden but also provide essential food for pollinators
Primrose is a fantastic night time flower.
Plant Night-Scented Flowers
Add evening primrose, night-scented stock, or jasmine to your garden to attract moths and other nocturnal pollinators. These flowers release their fragrance as the sun sets, creating a magical atmosphere while supporting wildlife.
Avoid Disturbing Bird Nest Boxes
Observe from a distance and ensure nesting boxes are undisturbed Resist the urge to clean or move them during the nesting season birds will often abandon their nests if they feel threatened
MayWildlife Highlight:
The Glittering Dragonflies and Damselflies
As the weather warms and ponds come to life, dragonflies and damselflies make their spectacular return to the garden. These jewel-like insects can be seen darting over the water’s surface, hunting for prey, or resting on reeds with their delicate, shimmering wings.
While dragonflies are larger and more robust, damselflies are smaller and daintier, often folding their wings along their bodies when at rest. Both are extraordinary fliers and a joy to watch as they bring energy and grace to the garden
Why They’re Beneficial:
Dragonflies and damselflies are exceptional natural pest controllers, preying on midges, mosquitoes, and other small insects.
Take some time outside and admire the hum of flying pollinators
Add a variety fo plants to your pond to provide space for all the wildlfe.
How to help them:
Create a Wildlife Pond: A garden pond is essential for dragonflies and damselflies Ensure it has both shallow and deep areas, with plenty of aquatic plants for egg- laying
Plant Marginal Vegetation: Add plants like irises, reeds, or horsetail to the pond edges. These provide perching spots for them and protection for emerging dragonfly larvae.
Avoid chemicals: Pesticides and herbicides can harm these delicate insects and their aquatic larvae.
Provide Sunny, Sheltered Spots: Dragonflies and damselflies love basking in the sun Plant tall grasses or shrubs near your pond to offer shelter from the wind
Keep an eye out for these mesmerizing creatures as they flit gracefully across your garden Their presence is a sure sign that your garden is brimming with life and thriving biodiversity!
Remember to take time to observe all your hard work and see the wildlife coming to your garden.
A Monthly Step By Step Journey
May is a month of abundance, energy, and renewal as the garden reaches its springtime peak. By supporting pollinators, caring for birds and hedgehogs, and creating habitats for dragonflies and damselflies, you ’ re fostering a garden full of vibrant life and natural beauty as we slowly prepare for summer
See you all next month!
May is a month when I always feel that I’m short on time. There is so much to be getting on with in the garden and at the allotment that I don’t always have time to be out seeking out dye sources. So this month I thought I would share a food waste dye recipe with you.
This recipe brings me back full circle to the reason I first got into natural dyeing It started when a friend shared an article about food waste dye with me It was during lockdown and it sparked my interest so much so, that not only did I try it myself, but I also began to teach and experiment (virtually) with my textiles students with the processes as well. A firm favourite from the options available with both me and my students was onion. The colour it produced was so vibrant and exciting! It was reliable, there were the options to use red and yellow skins and it reacted well to modifications to create a wide colour palette.
Had we done some research beforehand, we may have known it would be a good colour as it turns out they have a history of being used as a natural dye for textiles dating back to ancient civilisations Onions are curious plants and there is also lots of folklore around them for both medicinal use, things such as popping them in your socks to ward off illness, and for rituals like divinations In case you fancy giving the latter a try, it involves using two onions to determine which path you ought to take on a topic of your choosing, whichever onion sprouted first was the path you ought to take
In terms of a dye source, onion skins, I think, are very easy to get hold of. Even if you are not a big eater of them at home you can get hold of the skins. Why not ask your local green grocer or supermarket if you can have the waste that’s left in the bottom of the trays. I am sure they will give it away, or if not you can weigh and pay and I imagine the price will be minimal. Onion skins are also very easy to save and store. I pop mine into a jar as I use them and once I’ve enough, I dye with them. We eat a lot of them and it’s easily my most abundant dye source I grow my own onions on my allotment and it’s one of the few veg that I can say I am self sufficient in, which makes being able to dye with it and use all parts of the plant an added bonus!
Onion skin is also particularly effective in bundle dyeing
You can either chuck it on, or, if you want to be more accurate, you can take the time to cut the skins into more particular shapes which can create effective imprints I did this on some samples by cutting rectangular shapes and found it very effective
Head out and harvest yours and start dyeing.
@plot67
Materials you will need
Mordanted fabric
Onion skins* (100% weight to fabric you want to use, e g 50g fabric=50g onion skin)
Dye pan
Sieve
Water
Spoon
Bowl or container to soak fabric in
*yellow and red onion skins produce different colours so best to stick to one or the other… or you could experiment to see what colour the combination makes if you want to be adventurous!
Step 1 - Place your mordanted fabric in a bowl/container and leave to soak for a few hours, (or ideally overnight) so that it is ready for dyeing.
Step 2 - Place your onion skins into the pan and cover with water, heat gradually until you reach a gentle simmer. Leave it simmering for 30-40 mins or until you see the water change colour
Step 3 - Strain the skins from the pan
Optional: Leave skins in the pan or place them inside a muslin bag
Step 4 - Place your fabric into the dye bath and gently heat it for 30-40 mins You may need to add some more water at this stage to ensure your fabric is fully covered
Step 5 - Turn off the heat and leave your fabric to steep How long you leave it at this stage is up to you, I normally leave mine overnight again. When happy with your colour remove your fabric, rinse and leave to dry or whilst still wet, modify.
Why not try creating with other food waste?
If you enjoy creating the onion dye there are plenty of other food waste options to explore; carrot tops (yellow/green although I prefer to eat them), beetroot skins (initially bright pink but a quick fade to brown as it is fugitive meaning the colour isn’t stable), turmeric (yellow, the skin, although as not everyone uses the fresh kind powdered works, it’s also fugitive but does not in my experience fade as significantly as beetroot), avocado skins & pits (makes the most beautiful pink, I pop mine in the freezer till I’m ready to use), pomegranate skins (a wonderful bright yellow, again freeze to save) there are other food sources, such as some types of berries, that produce colour but I prefer to use food waste over consumable food in my dye pots
Head out and find your own Wild Garlic patch.
Pickled Radishes
There are only so many radishes you can add to salads or garnish dinners with when you get your radish glut this month.
Photo Credit: Natacha Ramsay
330g Radishes
½ small beetroot
85ml distilled vinegar
1tsp red peppercorns
1tsp black pepper corns
1tsp fennel seeds
1tsp sugar
1tsp salt
2 bay leaves
1-2 small dried chilies or 1tsp chili flakes
Distilled water
Photo Credit: Natacha Ramsay
Soon the flower farm will be filled with tonnes of flowers.
May is here and after 8 months of HARD work the flower farm prepares to open! This month we will be hosting our press event and our public open event – inviting the first people to have a tour of Wirral Flower Farm before the flowers arrive in their full glory
By the end of the month our first official customers will have joined us on our Seeds to Stems – Flower Growing Course and our first Hand-Tie Bouquet Workshop!
After months of preparation on the field and YEARS behind the scenes dreaming and scheming up plans for my flower farm – I can’t quite believe it’s here. To be perfectly honest, as much as I’ve been prepared and planned for everything, and generally made everything look great on Insta – we are all guilty of that! I’m totally still finding my feet in the world of agriculture (if I’m even classed as this?) and growing on a much grander scale than I have ever done before.
Who would have thought three hundred plants would look like not very much?
The pressure has been immense – I mean this is what is going to pay the mortgage after all, so the garden failures (that we ALL have, trust me!) have felt like crushing blows from time to time Frustrating beyond belief I’ve also found the pressure of growing in a totally new space really overwhelming (again the mortgage payments!) as I face brand new soil and have no idea what pests or diseases I’m up against in this blank canvas I still don’t! But we shall see what the season brings for sure My sweet peas are the prime example of this I planted out when I usually do but the field is so open and exposed – they have struggled Only today, as I write this, I have came home feeling they are now back on track.
And obviously all the best gardeners will tell you this is totally down to the astounding amount of side-eye they have been getting thrown every time I pass…
Of course they are now back on track, after I made Elsie, during her Easter holidays, help me direct sow around 400 seeds which are also now beginning to germinate! I was getting sweet peas this year come hell or high water! The more the merrier.
But between the sweet pea drama and mowing what feels like a million miles of grass, I can say I have learnt LOTS over the past couple of months And, as I’m very much only at the beginning of the journey, I think I’m going to learn a lot more!
Thank you for being with me on the journey through the infrastructure of the farm – I haven’t felt like it made the most exciting of content over the past few months! Goodness knows on my 582nd wheelbarrow of manure it wasn’t that exciting to me either!
But as with all good gardens
The best is yet to come!
See you on the other side Garden Folk <3
June 21st - Flower Crown
July 19th - Summer Hand Tie
Aug 2nd - Summer Hand Tie
You can visit the Wirral Flower Farm for pick your own, weddings and workshops (see dates below) : Check out Jen’s website for all the courses available
Aug 16th - Flower Crown
Aug 30th - Summer Table Setting Workshop
By Jen Howarth @life on the lot
Photo Credit:Canva Stock Image
May is here and it feels like we ’ re in touching distance of the summer... in fact the weather may be more ‘ summery ’ now than it may feel in August! Seasoned gardeners will be aware though that we can’t always rest easy in my and depending on your location, late frosts can be a killer of those new tender plants; be careful, check your dates, and have some horticultural fleece or a cloche to hand.
Things to sow/plant
Flowers
Calendula
Pansies
Borage
Nasturtium
Cosmos
Amaranthus
Scabious
Wild flowers
Aquilegia
Foxgloves
Sunflowers
Sweet Williams
Primrose
Zinnias
Edibles
Beans
Brussel Sprouts Kale
Courgettte
Cucumbers
Sweetcorn
Leeks
Come and join the @gardenfolkmag team for live garden updates throughout the month over on Instagram.
From allotment enthusiasts to professional growers, two friends explore the highs, lows, and everything in between of small-scale vegetable growing With different approaches but the same passion, Alex and Jessie dive into the challenges, successes, and the wider industry that connects us all
May will lure you out into the garden with blossom, warmer days and hopefully a good dose of sunshine. Enjoy completing your gardening tasks and remember to sit back and admire your progress
If you are growing foodkeep sowing seedssuccessional sowing will help to stagger your harvests.
Move tender plants outside but only after your last frost date has passed
Plant out young plants and remember to provide them with suitable protection and keep them watered
Have a cuppa in the garden
Tie in the new shoots of climbers such as wisteria or clematis.
Pinch out the tops of young annual flower plants to encourage bushier growth.
Create and check supports for plants like sweetpeas, beans and climbing squash
Earth up potatoes.
Play greenhouse/windowsill Jenga as you pot on seedlings into larger pots.
Watch out for pests and deal with infestations by whatever method you choose swiftly
Give faded spring bulbs a liquid feed for good displays next year
Take cuttings from dahlias, pelargoniums and fuchsias to create more plants
This month we asked you:
“What is your favourite place to walk and enjoy nature?”
My garden is definitely a sanctuary but there is a garden at my office that I am pretty sure most people have forgotten about, it has hedges of 6ft rosemary growing, kiwi growing up the side of the steps, two wisteria arches, borders of acanthus & lavender, strawberry trees and a couple of beehives… some days I nip out there just to sit for 5 minutes
@fiveminutegardener
I have soooo many favourites! I do love the South Downs for a walk - it’s really special! BUT I am also really enjoying Scotland atm!
@theplantparlourgram
That’s a hard one!!! Depends on my mood but any out doors space that’s quiet is perfect ❤
But I have been loving allotment time ��
@dough and durt
So many to choose from! I do love a good beach to walk on or in a moody forest But my favourite of all time is the mile and a half walk between my house and my grandparents helps there a cuppa waiting at the other end ��
@my little patch of earth
There are so many in suffolk �� @amys allotment adventure
We are so lucky in london to have all the royal parks, Bushy and Richmond have to be my favourites. Especially Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park! @pumpkins etc
Got to be the Monsal trail in the Peak District or anywhere in the Lake District @gardeneriddler
Anywhere in the Lake District is stunning especially the woodlands leading up to the fells but as a coastal local I feel obligated to also say that I love walking at the beach! @ thequietplace
Wirral Flower Farm �� but I love the beaches here on our very beautiful peninsula particularly Thurstaston or Red Rocks A trot out to Hilbre Island when the tide is out to see the sea lions is also fun too! @life on the lot
Am I allowed to say my garden?? Or does wandering round with a coffee looking at plants not count �� It's a hard one to pick a favourite, I love The Lakes for walks - just so much beautiful scenery @homegrown blooms
I absolutely love walking along the River Severn at all times of year �� @happy place gardener
Here places are a bit limited, but where I grew up I loved walking in the Sonian Forest❤Oh and do the places I am creating in my fantasy book count?�� Lots of ancient woods, mountains, beaches, etc there, and quite a lot of walking�� @meltriestowriteastory
I live in the Flemish part of Belgium but for nature walks, the Wallonia, the French part of the country❤ especially the Ardennes ��❤ I also remembered another spot that runs from Belgium to Germany and that is the Eifel region��❤ @bluebellandbumblebee
Ivanhoe Beacon Ridgeway circular walk 10 miles. Beautiful views, steep climbs, pine woods, meadows and wild garlic ( if you are lucky) @comtessetachie
This is my favourite place to walk, especially at this time of year when the bluebells are out This is Stoke Park Woods in Fair Oak, Hampshire @starof 72
Next month we want to know: ‘What is your favourite alfresco meal?’ Send us a message on Instagram or email your answers to us info@gardenfolkmag.com
@lottie thyme @at forever cottage
@sissyslilgarden
@4mcds bloomingplot @flowers food garden @plants and gin
