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When this plant first appeared in my garden, I didn’t recognise it. At all. It popped up quietly among everything else, with big soft leaves and an awkward, gangly shape. No obvious flowers. No instant charm. Honestly? I thought it was a weed. But something stopped me from pulling it out. I liked it. It had presence. It looked… hopeful. So I let it stay. Completely forgetting that months earlier, I’d planted hollyhock seeds right there. Funny how that works. When Patience Loo

Growing your own food at home doesn’t have to mean becoming self-sufficient or turning your backyard into a full vegetable plot. For many people, starting an edible garden begins much more simply — a few herbs, some leafy greens, or a small raised bed. Even a modest edible garden can change the way you think about food, space, and everyday living. With grocery prices rising and many households feeling the pressure of cost of living, growing food at home is becoming less of a

One very happy daisy This daisy didn’t thrive by chance. Its lush growth, vibrant colour, and constant flowering are the result of a garden system that’s working with  nature, not against it. When a plant looks this healthy, it’s telling a story — not just about sunlight and water, but about what’s happening beneath the surface. And that’s where the real magic is. Healthy Plants Start in the Soil Strong, resilient plants don’t come from fertiliser schedules or quick fixes. Th

There’s a small pumpkin quietly growing in the garden right now, and honestly… I am ridiculously excited about it. It’s not big. It’s not loud. It’s not in a hurry. It hangs there on the vine, deeply ribbed and speckled, slowly growing day by day — doing exactly what it needs to do, in its own time. And every time I walk past it, I feel this little flicker of joy. That something is happening, even if it’s not finished yet. Right now, it’s still a couple of weeks off being rea

A cold frame is one of the most useful and underrated additions to any garden. It’s simple, low-cost, and incredibly effective at extending your growing season — especially if you’re working with limited space or unpredictable weather. Think of a cold frame as a mini greenhouse: it protects plants from cold winds and frost, traps warmth from the sun, and creates a stable microclimate where seedlings and leafy greens can thrive. Best of all? You can build one yourself using ba

If you’ve ever wanted to compost but felt overwhelmed by the “rules,” you’re not alone. Composting can sound technical, messy, or complicated — but in reality, it’s one of the simplest and most rewarding things you can do for your garden. At its heart, composting is just nature doing what it’s always done: turning organic waste back into soil. You don’t need fancy equipment or expert knowledge — just a little understanding and a willingness to start. Here’s a gentle, realisti

Saving seeds is one of the most satisfying parts of gardening. It slows things down, deepens your connection to the plants you grow, and quietly closes the loop between one season and the next. You don’t need specialist equipment or years of experience — just a little curiosity and a willingness to observe what’s happening in your garden. Here’s a simple, practical guide to getting started. All of the seeds at the bottom of this bucket came from just these 3 sunflower heads W

When birds visit a garden, they bring more than sound and movement — they bring balance. A garden that attracts birds is usually a healthy one, quietly working in harmony beneath the surface. Birds aren’t just visitors; they’re participants in the ecosystem. Their presence often signals that a space is providing food, safety, and stability — all signs of a thriving garden. Natural Pest Control One of the biggest benefits birds offer is their role in controlling insect populat

A gentle guide to inviting nature in There’s something quietly special about sharing your garden with frogs. They arrive without ceremony, often unseen, and yet their presence says so much. A frog in the garden is a sign of balance — of clean water, healthy soil, and a space that feels safe enough for life to pause. A shell shaped dish that was no longer needed became the perfect frog sanctuary, river stones added to create a safe exit and nestled between some pots with plent

There’s a point in the evening when the garden settles. The light softens, the air cools, and everything slows just enough to notice what’s really there. That’s usually when I become aware of the frogs. I don’t ever see them. They stay low and hidden, close to damp soil and shelter, but their presence is unmistakable. Frogs are incredibly sensitive creatures — they don’t tolerate pollution, chemicals, or heavily disturbed environments. They arrive only when conditions are rig

Bees are quiet workers. They don’t demand attention, and they don’t announce their presence — but almost everything in a garden depends on them. When bees visit, it’s not by accident. They’re responding to subtle cues: healthy soil, chemical-free plants, and a sense that the space is safe. Bees are incredibly sensitive to their surroundings. Even small changes — pesticides, synthetic fertilisers, compacted soil — can drive them away. When they do  appear, it’s a sign of balan

A thoughtful way to support local wildlife — and a lovely activity to share with children A bird bath is one of the sweetest gifts you can give the garden. It provides birds with a safe place to drink and bathe, helps cool them on warm days, and invites gentle life into your outdoor space in a way that feels calm and alive. And it doesn’t take much to create — just a little intention, a bit of care, and a shallow dish of water. What You’ll Need You don’t need anything fancy:

A simple, gentle way to support pollinators — and a lovely activity to share with children Bees do quiet, essential work in our gardens, and one of the easiest ways to support them is by offering a safe place to drink. A bee water station is simple to make, requires very little upkeep, and gives children a beautiful way to connect with nature. What You’ll Need In my own garden there are 4 little bee watering stations as well as 1 larger one scattered throughout the garden. Cr

What’s really happening under your garden while you’re making a cup of tea Most of us look at our gardens and see what’s happening above the ground — leaves, flowers, bees doing their thing. But what’s going on underneath? That’s where the real action is. Beneath the soil, plants are basically running their own underground neighbourhood group chat. Yes — really. Plants talk to each other (kind of) Plants are connected through vast underground fungal networks, often called the