#gardening

#gardening

Onions may not be the prettiest vegetable to grow, but they're certainly one of the most useful. Figuring which items you eat most often is the first thing to consider before planting a vegetable garden, and as a fundamental part of soups, sauces, and salads, who couldn't use more of these easy-to-grow alliums? The only tricky part is that location really matters, as different varieties of onions require different day lengths in order to thrive.

Lots of pressure at this time of year, isn't there? All those pink cheeks and sweaty brows puffing their way around the park in dusted-down trainers; all those Botivo mocktails (delicious, for what it's worth) as we strive to self-improve during one of the most grisly months of the year. I've never really been one for resolutions, nor time-measured sobriety (amazing how having small children deflates one's desire to drink enough to conjure a hangover).

Humans may have invented telescopes that can glimpse outer space, but squirrels gather nuts when they sense winter coming on, and more nuts indicate a harsher season ahead. Such is the ancient wisdom packed into the pages of The Old Farmer's Almanac, which has been in print since 1792 - when George Washington was still President and almost 100 years before Edison patented the light bulb - and today remains the best-selling and longest continuously published periodical in America.

Monty Don has shared dramatic photos of his Herefordshire garden underwater after a storm dumped a month's worth of rain in just 24 hours. The presenter of Gardeners' World reflected on life on a flood plain and the challenges of extreme weather. Despite the disruption, he emphasised gratitude that the flooding affected only his garden and fields, not homes or businesses.

I'm glad we're starting to look at historical figures through the lens of neurodivergence (Documentary explores whether JMW Turner may have been neurodivergent, 10 November). But why give JMW Turner the benefit of 21st-century advances in neuroscience and not afford the same courtesy to his mother, Mary, who was believed to have had a psychiatric disorder and would fly into a dangerous temper? This language could have come straight from the admission papers that got her committed to a mental asylum. Jill Metcalfe Bottens, Switzerland

The hum of bees is the voice of the garden.

I have been growing much of my family's food for more than 35 years. I have spent countless hours preparing the ground, planting seeds, weeding, and harvesting. Until Labor Day Weekend 2025, however, I had never put a chair in my garden and simply observed. What a revelation. In addition to vegetables, I intersperse flowers in my garden. This year, there are poppies, cosmos, and sunflowers.

With a garden this large, it's important to check it every day and keep up with its care,

meet fascinating individuals who share a common interest expand your knowledge of dahlias by working with seasoned growers and hybridizers hear from talented and skilled speakers at our monthly meetings participate at all levels of our society from committees to our demonstration garden work days show your very own dahlias at annual flower shows Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.

A propagation party involves gathering gardeners to share plant cuttings and seeds, allowing participants to grow new plants at no extra cost.

To create a level surface for a new paver patio, we removed old sod from the yard, which was the hardest part of the project.

The question arising in the office is what initial equipment is needed to start gardening, with the wheelbarrow being the suggested essential tool.

Growing tomatoes from seeds can be rewarding, but inexperienced gardeners should research proper techniques for a successful yield. Exposure to wind during seedling growth is critical.

Recycling yogurt containers provides a practical solution for seedling starters, enabling effective plant growth while minimizing waste from single-use plastics.

Basil has delightful flavors with notes of mint, licorice, and pepper that can turn bitter if not properly maintained, impacting culinary uses negatively.

It took an audit of my spending last summer to get myself in check. During that time, I also decided to grow tomatoes in the garden of my shared flat. I was a novice gardener, but soon I became obsessed with caring for these plants. It was as if a switch had been flicked in my mind as if it had taken the idea of growing my own food to truly understand the value and timescale of food production.

Gardening at Dollar Tree can be budget-friendly, with most items priced at $1.25, making it easier to start and maintain a vegetable garden on a budget.

"It's incredibly exciting to bring together new contemporary work with a rich archive that spans over a century. This exhibition celebrates not just the beauty of London's station gardens, but the communities and individuals who care for them. Through photography, film and conversation, we're spotlighting the creativity, resilience and joy that flourish in these unexpected green spaces."

At airports, grass is the star, because there can be no bushes or trees, which attract birds, and no flowers either, because they attract too many bugs.

The conversation shifted unexpectedly when he revealed his current concerns were not about design but rather about the challenges of tending to his tomato plants.

Using a spray bottle, mix together a solution of water, a few tablespoons of washing up liquid and a few drops of an essential oil such as peppermint, lavender or clove oil. Lightly spritz this across your garden, focusing on any established wasp nests or places you've seen them frequently.

Tom Reilly passed away on December 7, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of joy and love shared with his wife and children, and fond memories of his gardening passion.

Mint is the bully of the herb world, quickly taking over gardens by spreading roots. It thrives even in harsh conditions, making control challenging.

A do-everything gardening tool like a hori hori is essential for various gardening tasks such as digging holes, planting seedlings, and pruning branches.

The elevated height of the Vego Garden Bed simplifies inspections for new growth and potential problems, making it a standout feature in outdoor gardening.