dom.cliff

Pommes dauphinoise makes an excellent alternative to roasties for Sunday lunch, especially as the weather turns warmer and we embrace the flavours of spring and summer. Our recipe for leek and potato dauphinoise makes the best of seasonal leeks and goes perfectly with our slow roasted lamb and savoury crumb. Baked in a moderate oven […]

We’ve had a taste of fantastic weather over the last week or so. It’s definitely been nice enough to sit outside and even sunny enough to catch a bit of sunburn. A parasol is part of the prescription for avoiding sunburn, and for sitting outside – look no further for recommendations of what will suit […]

There are at least five garden hacks associated with the common plastic milk bottle. We show you how to make a watering can, cloche, plant pot or cachepot, drip tray and plant labels. Each of these is easy, takes little effort and costs you nothing. A two litre bottle is a good size but you […]

Lawns need care and attention now to get them ready for your summer. April is the month to get a grip of your lawn and, depending on the weather where you are, it may be that the first cut of the year starts this weekend. Here’s a quick overview of what to do. Lawns – […]

Plant pots, containers, planters – there’s an enormous choice out there. How do you choose what’s best for your plants and best for your garden? We answer seven of the most common questions. 1. What should I think about when choosing a pot? As well as how good the pot looks, think about: how big […]

We could all use a bit more zen in our lives. You may have heard people say that, especially when life is frantically busy and complicated. They are crying out for simplicity and tranquillity. This post takes a look at the Japanese rock garden tradition, and the classical zen garden and what it can teach […]

Shamrocks, the emblem of St Patrick’s Day and Ireland, are a must-have for celebrations today. They might be growing in your garden right now, or something to plant ready for next year. Read on to find out more! Saint Patrick’s Day commemorates the arrival in Ireland of St Patrick. It is a national holiday in Ireland and Northern […]

If you’ve been enjoying flowers in your garden recently then now is the time to make sure you have another good display next spring. Commiserations if you haven’t had a good display but a few preparations now will improve matters next spring. Split or plant some snowdrops and/or winter aconites. Prune winter-flowering shrubs that have […]

We all want happy and healthy plants and good soil is key to making that happen. (Of course, there are a few happy and healthy exceptions to this: air plants, hydroponic plants and perhaps plants growing on gravel but here we’re talking about plants that grow in soil.) For happy and healthy plants we have […]

Sow flower seeds in March? Yes, you can sow flower seeds in March. It may not feel like a peak gardening month but (slightly) warmer weather and longer daylight hours trigger plants to grow, leaves to unfurl and seeds to sprout. So join in, look ahead, and sow flower seeds to fill gaps in your […]

Sow and grow veg to reduce air miles, have food on your doorstep, eat more and more tasty veg – oh yes, and beat the effects of supermarket shortages. Did you hear that the rain in Spain which led to shortages of green and salad vegetables in some UK supermarkets led to a run on […]

As we’re all told, patience is a virtue, and gardeners know there are very many occasions in gardening when it’s needed. Having patience is more than simply waiting for time to pass. It’s about watching and thinking. It’s about paying attention and also just letting time roll by. Patience is the thing that garden centres […]