There is nothing better than the taste of your very own homegrown potatoes. Whether we choose to grow them in pots (which is ideal for smaller gardens or even growing on balconies) or whether we have our own raised bed or vegetable patch, we all need to harvest our potatoes. So you’ve grown your potatoes, now all you need to know is when the best time to harvest them is, as well as how to harvest the…
These beautiful Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera) are known for their outstanding flowers that are usually red, purple, white or pink. These flowers emerge from masses of buds around Christmas, as the name suggests. These very popular house cacti actually prefer a more moist and humid environment, unlike most other types of cacti. They are generally easy to grow but are known sometimes for being difficult to bloom, not producing their masses of flowers during the festive season.…
Part of the epiphytic cacti family, Christmas Cactus is the most commonly known name for them. They are a striking and exotic looking type of houseplant and the botanical name is ‘Schlumbergera’. They produce red, pink, white or purple flowers from around November and often well into January. This is where the name ‘Christmas Cactus’ derives from. Easy to grow and care for, they make excellent seasonal gifts and are very easy to propagate and take…
Repotting Christmas Cactus Christmas Cactus is also known as the Schlumbergera plant. They originate from woodland-type areas where they attach themselves and grow on trees in a humid and moist environment. They make excellent, easy to grow, houseplants and are exceptionally popular because of their vivid show of beautiful colours from around November all the way through until January, making them ideal for a splash of colour over Christmas. They often make unique little Christmas gifts. Eventually, these…
More commonly known as the Cape Jasmine, it is probably one of the most beautiful and highly scented houseplants available for the home. This plant is also known for being difficult to grow but with a little care and advice, this does not have to be the case. You can soon reap the benefit of these beautiful shrubs with their glossy green leaves and creamy white flowers that last for months in a row. Although in the UK…
Tomatoes are a favourite for many gardeners, with so many varieties available and different ways they can be grown it isn’t hard to see why. One of the best ways to grow tomatoes (even when you may have very limited space) is in hanging baskets. The most popular, and probably the best types to grow in hanging baskets are cherry tomatoes. These are typically bush tomatoes that require very little work and pruning (if any),…
Black Russian Tomato Unlike most varieties of tomato that have attractive bright red skins, the Black Russian tomato has a darkish brown skin that darkens further with age as they mature. Don’t let this put you off though because these tomatoes (although hard to describe the taste) have somewhat of a pleasant, sweet and acidic taste. Many gardeners who have grown them will agree but for the odd few. In Russia, it is actually prized…
Agapanthus Care This exotic-looking plant with vibrant flowers is one of the most beautiful perennial garden plants. Originating from South Africa, they produce strapped leaves and give a stunning display of often blue, white or violet coloured flowers. It is also commonly known as an ‘African Lily’. This perennial plant is available as evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous varieties. The latter usually being fully hardy, whereas evergreen varieties are often half-hardy and so will require some winter…
Black Cherry Tomato If you are looking for a new variety of tomato to grow this summer then ‘Black Cherry’ might just be what you are looking for. A true cherry tomato, yet also a highly unusual variety that has dark blackish-purple fruit that is only around 1inch wide. They have a rich, sweet juicy flavour and are perfect to have freshly picked with a salad. Bred in Florida by a man named Vince Sapp, these tomatoes are…
How to grow tomatoes from seed If you want to grow your own food, one of the easiest types to grow are tomato plants. There are so many different varieties available, from cherry varieties that are ideal for pots and planters to spectacular trailing varieties such as ‘Tumbler’ and ‘Tumbling Tom’. The trailing tomatoes are great for hanging baskets and look out of this world. Whatever type you grow, there is nothing more rewarding than growing your…
