Rattan News
-
Garden care: gloves off to sore hands!
Gardeners' hands need as much care as, or more care than gardens. Out in the garden and on our patios and courtyards, our hands do a lot of hard work... Read More -
Garden jobs - small and large - in early August
Rain or shine, gardens keep on growing and garden jobs keep on coming. Early August, and the next few weeks, is all about keeping your garden and pots in good... Read More -
Order spring bulbs now! (I know it feels a bit early)
Spring bulbs on my mind It seems a long way in the future but this is the time to order spring bulbs for planting in the autumn. I’d like my... Read More -
Bearded irises: divide them now for healthy plants, full of flowers next year
Iris, the rainbow goddess Iris was one of the Greek goddesses of the sea and sky, and was associated with the rainbow. Iris flowers span practically all the colours of... Read More -
Controlling tomato plants and lifting early potatoes
Keeping tomato plants under control Tomatoes are going wild now. I gave a friend six plants I’d raised from seed and last week he sent an emergency text: Toms running... Read More -
Enjoy the summer scent of lavender in winter
Lavender is blooming in gardens all around me in the South West of England and, with a soundtrack of buzzing bees and a wonderful scent on warm evenings, summer really... Read More -
Glorious hanging baskets - it is summer!
It is summer - for now! A long weekend in the Cotswolds proved it - everywhere was awash with flowers spilling out from hanging baskets, pots and garden borders. Hanging... Read More -
More free plants to share with your family and friends
Another idea for free plants for your garden! Readers know I love a bargain plant. I love even better sharing favourite plants with family and friends. Softwood cuttings at this... Read More -
Maple roast salmon recipe
The soft buttery flesh of fresh salmon goes perfectly with a sticky sweet glaze and could not be easier to prepare. Our recipe roasts the salmon in the oven, but... Read More -
Which wood for smoking?
Here in the UK, American style barbecue has been taking off in a big way. When the good folk of the US say barbecue, what they mean is the low... Read More -
Autumn flowering bulbs gleam from September to November
I don’t want to jinx the weather if it’s gloriously sunny and your plans include relaxing in the garden or being out and about. Autumn will seem far, far away... Read More -
A little light summer pruning, then a little light summer pudding?
It needs cutting back Busy friend: Have you seen the state of it? I’m going to go out there and tidy it up. I’ll hack it into submission. I don’t... Read More