Home & Garden / Features
Rubbish gardens: How to create a sustainable garden out of old junk and rich planting
Cement mixers, radiators and other throwaways can have a place in the garden. TV gardener Frances Tophill, a regular on BBC Gardeners’ World, is well qualified to advise on how to reuse, reclaim and recycle. She’s just won Best Show Garden at BBC Gardeners’ World Live...
Garden longevity: Could you extend your life and drop your stress by taking up the pursuit, too?
Dan Buettner has studied five places around the world where residents are famed for their longevity: Okinawa in Japan, Nicoya in Costa Rica, Icaria in Greece, and Loma Linda in California and Sardinia in Italy. People living in these so-called “blue zones” have...
Potty about pots? Here’s how to pick the best containers for your garden
Metal, terracotta, resin or plastic? Shape and size? We measure up the options. You want to perk up your patio with new pots, but which should you choose? Obviously the setting will be key - if you have a traditional cottage garden you might not want to be...
‘Revolutionary in a quiet way’: The rise of community gardens in the UK
Royal Horticultural Society sets up first Community Awards as community gardens become more common. The first melon of the season always tastes amazing,” says Lucy Mitchell. “I don’t think anyone has ever taken one home - every year, we just cut them into as many...
Rich pickings: Choose a wealthy area and carry a measuring tape. Lessons in furnishing your house for free
After outfitting his home with free finds from the kerb and beyond, Marty Smiley shares his hard rubbish tips and regrets. When our landlord booted us out of our share house last year, a group field trip to Ikea was out of the question. Like many Australians,...
Flight of fancy: The home inspired by an aircraft fuselage
A designer’s fascination with aviation led him to build his own cocoonlike home in Kildare, Ireland. Most creatives yearn to build their own home, experimenting with materials, styles and ideals. Type “self build” into Google and up will pop homes ranging from the...
Winter wonderlands: 10 stunning gardens to visit for a healthy walk and gardening inspiration
Blow away the cobwebs and walk off some of the excesses of the festive season. To keep fit in 2022 you can also gain inspiration for planting in the year ahead by visiting some of the UK’s most beautiful gardens and parklands. Whether you’re interested in shrubs,...
Going to ground: How to use coffee waste in the garden -and what to watch out for
As an organic grower for restaurant royalty, Anna Greenland uses everything at her disposal to help her plants flourish, including used coffee grounds, as she explains here. Chances are there’s at least one coffee drinker in your household. In ours it’s my husband...
‘The pandemic lit a fire inside me’: How three high-fliers retrained as garden designers
From the lawyer turned landscaper to the pilot who won a flower show prize, meet three career-switching gardeners. A table and chairs covered in lichen; a grubby patio; an overgrown bed teeming with weeds … those of us with outdoor space all have corners that need...
Mirror mirror in the garden…Flood gardens with light to create an illusion of space
A well-placed garden mirror can do wonders to enhance any outdoor space. And mirrors are a great addition for any garden, with the power to totally transform the space. Garden mirror ideas are especially useful in small courtyard gardens, on roof terraces and limited...
In the shade: 25 best plants and perennials that thrive out of the sun
Time to brighten up those shady areas of your garden! Everyone adores a sunny garden with bold and bright blooms. But shady gardens also deserve some love. These shade perennials boast beautiful leaf colours and delicate, exotic flowers - and some have irresistibly...
How to build your house-buying dream team
Thinking of buying a new home? In this article for Elder Freedom, Michael Longsdon looks at which professionals you’ll need on your house-hunting journey, how to find them, and what red flags to watch out for: The ProsHere are some professionals you should work with...