Category: How To Guides

How to gardening guides, packed with advice from David Domoney. David is a Chartered Horticulturalist with over 40 years of experience growing and caring for plants. David has also worked on UK national television for over 2 decades. As a garden designer, David has won over 30 RHS medals for his garden designs at leading UK gardening shows and events.

How to: create a luscious, low-maintenance container garden

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Container gardening is fantastic. It lets you grow plants, including vegetables, where there is no soil – on a balcony, patio or even your garage roof.

They’re brilliant because they’re flexible and help make the most of your space. You can change them simply by shifting the pots around. If you’ve got pot stands on wheels, you can revamp the look of your garden in minutes.

And with a bit of planning and some clever planting, you can produce a container garden for every season.

Choose your container

You can choose anything, but the bigger the better. The more soil it holds, the more moisture and food it will hold and the more root space your plants will have. It will also be easier it is to maintain.

Move it into position before you fill it with soil, or it will get too heavy to shift. Check the pot has sufficient drainage. Waterlogging is a recipe for killing your plants. If there’s no drainage, get out your drill and put as many holes as you can in the bottom.

Then line the pot with crocks – broken pottery or a bit of gravel to stop the holes getting clogged with soil. Put chocks underneath the container to help stop it becoming waterlogged in the winter.

Plant it

The good news is that you can put almost anything in a container – flowering plants, ornamental shrubs and even fruit and veg.

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For bright spring colour, plant bulbs like daffodils, tulips and muscari. Most bulbs are suited to containers and give a striking display.

You can also try primulas. They come in a huge range of colours, but they’re thirsty so keep them well-watered.

If you’re planting for summer, I’d recommend fuchsias, geraniums, marigolds and Busy lizzies.

Later in the year, replace with autumn and winter pansies. While ever the weather’s still cold, watch out for frost and cover the plants with garden fleece or old newspapers if the temperature really drops.

For edible crops, salad leaves and herbs are a great place to start. If you want to grow fruit and vegetables, stick to the same spacings and planting instructions as for a normal veg patch. If you can’t plant in rows, try concentric circles of crops.

To create a container garden, simply repeat the process with lots more containers! Put different sized containers on different levels to create a dynamic, visual space.

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For more garden planting ideas, check out my blog:

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Or check out my Pinterest board for more ideas:

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April 18, 2014
How to: build and plant an alpine rock garden

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Rockery garden

Rock gardens make brilliant features. They’re striking, low maintenance, easy to build with kids and look good all year round. Alpine plants are perfect if you’re pushed for space or want to create a stylish low-key area.

What are alpines?

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Sedum or houseleeks are alpine plants

They are small, compact plants originally found in mountainous and Alpine regions. Most are dwarf or slow-growing and grow best in dry, rocky outcrops.

But don’t be put off by their small size – they come in a huge array of shapes, colours and types of foliage. Many are also evergreen, so you can enjoy their colour all year round.

Most garden retailers carry a wide range of alpines all year round, so head over there and choose your favourites!

Why build a rockery?

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Rock gardens are easy to build

Building your own rockery couldn’t be easier. It’s the perfect challenge for a budding gardener and will last for years. Rock gardens are really low-maintenance, so you won’t need to spend loads of time and energy pruning, feeding and watering the plants.

They are also great homes for insects and make a fantastic project to get kids into the garden.

What do I do?

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Succulents are perfect for rockeries

Alpines like well-drained soil and are used to growing at high altitude above tree level in arid conditions. Dig out the soil and add in a mixture of grit and sand to aid drainage.

Now you can add your boulder features. Your local garden centre or DIY store will stock stones and rocks in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colours. Try and break up the area with different levels, ledges, cracks and contours to create a dramatic background for your plants.

Dig the boulders in – one third underground and two thirds above – so they are stable. As the rockery matures, the stones will naturally attract mosses and lichens that add extra colour and interest.

How do I plant it?

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Trailing plants like aubretia are great for a rockery

Dot your alpines around the rocks. My two favourites are sedums and saxifraga, but there are dozens of varieties available.

The break up the rockery with other plants to add different heights and textures. Try thrifts, sedges, rock roses, dwarf conifers and ornamental grasses. My favourite is Morning Star Deep Rose, which has rich pink flowers that contrast nicely against the grey stones.

You can also throw in some early spring and summer bulbs to add height and extra colour and scent to your rockery. Try crocus, iris and dwarf reticulata.

And to finish?

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Surround alpine plants with gravel or grit in rock gardens

Scatter coloured gravel around the larger boulders. This gives a stylish surface finish so experiment with different textures and particle sizes to add loads of interest.

Sharp gravel will also deter slugs who don’t like its jagged edges. That’s especially beneficial for alpines whose fleshy, juicy leaves and petals are very popular with slugs and snails.

Now you have a unique landscape in your garden, borders or patio edge!

Want more garden features? Here’s how to design a herbaceous flower border!

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For more garden planting ideas, check out my blog:

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Or check out my Pinterest board for more ideas:

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filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://new.daviddomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Rockery-Star-500×750.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”none” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” sep_color=”” top_margin=”30px” bottom_margin=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” /][fusion_button link=”https://new.daviddomoney.com/rockery-star/” text_transform=”” title=”” target=”_self” link_attributes=”” alignment_medium=”” alignment_small=”” alignment=”center” modal=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” color=”custom” button_gradient_top_color=”rgba(1,149,51,0)” button_gradient_bottom_color=”rgba(1,149,51,0)” button_gradient_top_color_hover=”#0e540f” button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”#0e540f” accent_color=”#0e540f” accent_hover_color=”#ffffff” type=”” bevel_color=”” border_color=”#0e540f” border_hover_color=”#ffffff” size=”large” stretch=”yes” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” border_top=”3px” border_right=”3px” border_bottom=”3px” border_left=”3px” border_radius_top_left=”0px” border_radius_top_right=”0px” border_radius_bottom_right=”0px” border_radius_bottom_left=”0px”]Rockery Star[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”1_6″ layout=”1_6″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” 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April 4, 2014
How to grow your own potatoes in the veg plot

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Potatoes are a brilliant crop for beginner gardeners and practised vegetable growers alike. Get your own potato crop in the ground this year to start enjoying home-grown spuds!

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Potatoes grow from special seed tubers instead of seeds. Buy them from your local garden centre – they have been cleared of disease and bred to produce strong, viable plants.

Types of potato

There are three types of potatoes, earlies, second earlies and maincrops. The names refer to the time they are harvested.

Earlies are the easiest to grow and take up the least space in your garden. But the other two are simple crops and will give you loads of potatoes.

When to plant potatoes

Potato crops need different planting times depending on the exact variety, but here is a rough guide.

Earlies – plant in late March.

Second earlies – plant in early to mid-April.

Maincrop – plant in mid to late April.

How to chit potatoes

You’ll need to prepare the tubers before planting by chitting them. Don’t worry, it’s not difficult! They need to sprout before they go in the ground.

Stand them rose end up (that’s the end with the most eyes) in an old eggbox on a cool, well-lit windowsill. The eyes will sprout naturally, and the tubers are ready to plant when they are about 2.5cm long.

How to plant potatoes

Potatoes grow best in sunny spots that are not prone to frost. Dig a narrow trench about 13cm deep and line it with peat-free compost, general fertiliser or even grass clippings.

Space the seed tubers about 30cm apart for earlies, 38cm for second earlies and maincrop. If you’re growing in rows, leave 60-90cm between them and plant with the shoots facing towards the surface.

Handle the tubers carefully – the shoots can be quite brittle. Press over the soil and let nature do her work.

TIP: If you’re really short of space, plant two potato tubers in a large, well-drained container (at least 30cm wide and deep).

Growing potatoes

Remember, it is vital when the shoots begin to emerge from the earth to keep them as far away from the tubers as possible.

Bank up the earth over the emerging shoots, forcing them to grow up and away towards the light. Repeat until the shoots and ensuing leaves are well removed from the tuber.

Once the potatoes have begun to grow underground, your plants will need lots of water. If you have a dry spell, water regularly or your spuds will be stunted.

How to harvest potatoes

fresh organic potatoes in the field

Early varieties should be ready to harvest from June. I lift mine when I see the flowers. With earlies you can simply dig up and eat.

Second earlies and maincrop will stay in the ground a bit longer and need a bit more attention.

Two weeks before you want to lift them, cut off the growth at ground level. This gives their skins more time to toughen up.

Harvest second earlies in July and August, and maincrop varieties from late August to early October.

Harvesting is easy with a fork – just tease them out, being careful not to spike them. Now you’re ready for some home-made chips!

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For more garden planting ideas, check out my blog:

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Or check out my Pinterest board for more ideas:

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”false” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”true” spacing_right=””][fusion_builder_row_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”1_6″ layout=”1_6″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” 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last=”false” border_position=”all” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”false” spacing_right=””][fusion_imageframe image_id=”43061|large” max_width=”” style_type=”none” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align=”none” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]https://new.daviddomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/pots-and-planters-500×750.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”none” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” sep_color=”” top_margin=”30px” bottom_margin=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” /][fusion_button link=”https://new.daviddomoney.com/quick-guide-to-pots-planters-containers/” text_transform=”” title=”” target=”_self” link_attributes=”” alignment=”center” modal=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” color=”custom” button_gradient_top_color=”rgba(1,149,51,0)” button_gradient_bottom_color=”rgba(1,149,51,0)” button_gradient_top_color_hover=”#0e540f” button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”#0e540f” accent_color=”#0e540f” accent_hover_color=”#ffffff” type=”” bevel_color=”” size=”large” stretch=”yes” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” border_color=”#0e540f” border_hover_color=”#ffffff” border_top=”3px” border_right=”3px” border_bottom=”3px” border_left=”3px” border_radius_top_left=”0px” border_radius_top_right=”0px” border_radius_bottom_right=”0px” border_radius_bottom_left=”0px”]Pots and planters[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”1_6″ layout=”1_6″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_position=”all” element_content=”” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”false”][/fusion_builder_column_inner][/fusion_builder_row_inner][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” 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March 28, 2014