Wonderful Worms
Charles Darwin called worms ‘the most important animal in the history of the world’. They are well known to gardeners as an indicator of healthy… Read More »Wonderful Worms
Cathie Welch
Euphoric Euphorbia
Euphorbia is such a diverse Genus with over 2000 species. It is one of those plants that I’m often asked to identify and yet it’s… Read More »Euphoric Euphorbia
Hardy Annuals
I thought this month I would look at a quick and easy way to brighten up your garden for 2022. There are an amazing group… Read More »Hardy Annuals
Christmas Spice (Cinnamon)
Every year I try to write about something festive but also relating to horticulture. Have you ever wondered where your Christmas spices come from? I… Read More »Christmas Spice (Cinnamon)
Slug Wars!!
I think this year has been the worst ever for slugs and snails! I have tried everything and thought it would amuse you to share… Read More »Slug Wars!!
Are you peat free yet?
Cathie’s Gardening School went on an outing to garden centres this week (at the time of writing) to try and unravel the confusion over potting… Read More »Are you peat free yet?
‘No Mow May’
You may have heard and tried to follow the advice with mixed results I’m sure. Each year we are all encouraged to leave our grass… Read More »‘No Mow May’
What Lies Beneath
The soil is literally at the root of everything that we grow and affects everything that we eat. It is such an important entity and… Read More »What Lies Beneath
Tropical Paradise
Well we have not been allowed to go to anywhere remotely tropical in many months. Interestingly (not sure if there is a connection) I have been asked how to create a tropical feel in the garden. Obviously many tropical plants do not like our climate so need winter protection but there are many that look the part and are totally hardy.
Get Composting!
I can’t stress enough that a working compost heap or bin is the heart and soul of your garden. I don’t mean a pile of… Read More »Get Composting!
WHO ATE ALL THE BERRIES?
At the time of writing this (when the country has just gone into lockdown again) I am watching a flock of birds strip the berries on my holly. It’s as though they have left them for me over Christmas and then started feasting in the new year. The same thing happens every January and they are having such a wonderful time!!
PLANT A TREE IN 2021
It’s not as catchy as ‘Plant a tree in ‘73’ and I remember that very well as a child and how important it was to my family. The trees are huge now and it is more important today than ever to think about the future of our planet. I’m focusing mainly on native trees and how we can incorporate them into our gardens.
PRUNING PROBLEMS!
Pruning plants is something that takes time to learn properly. Regular readers will know how I feel about the ‘hedgecutter brigade’. I write many articles… Read More »PRUNING PROBLEMS!
GARDENING FOR HEALTH !
The Merritt Medical Centre in Chessington received a garden makeover last week by a group of horticultural students. The students were attending a Garden Design… Read More »GARDENING FOR HEALTH !
Gardener or Horticulturist?
Learning to mow a lawn and use a hedge cutter takes about five minutes whereas learning the subject of horticulture takes a lifetime…….Cathie’s Gardening School… Read More »Gardener or Horticulturist?
Garden Gifts For Christmas
Some ideas for last minute Christmas Gifts with a gardening theme from Cathie’s Gardening School, Secretts Garden Centre, Milford. It’s that time of year again… Read More »Garden Gifts For Christmas
Garden Design, Where to Begin?
I am so often asked to design gardens, advise people on garden design and help with gardening in general. It is not something that can… Read More »Garden Design, Where to Begin?
Garden Composting
Most people have a compost heap or bin in their gardens more often an eyesore than a functional thing of beauty. I love my compost… Read More »Garden Composting
Honey Bees at Secretts
An introduction to the honey bees at Cathie’s Gardening School, Secretts Garden Centre, Milford. This month I thought I would introduce you to my bees.… Read More »Honey Bees at Secretts
Fruit Tree Pruning
We are fast approaching the winter fruit tree pruning season as I write this but it does appear that there is still confusion over this… Read More »Fruit Tree Pruning
Flower Feast!
Herbs are a favourite amongst gardeners and cooks but have you ever thought about using the flowers as well? It may surprise you just how… Read More »Flower Feast!
Flaming February!
On a recent visit to Wisley I was totally in awe of the reds, yellows, oranges and silver stems surrounding the lake. Truly a magical… Read More »Flaming February!
Fabulous Forsythia!
You truly know it’s Spring when the Forsythias are out in every garden. The riot of yellow truly lifts the spirits. Although it is an… Read More »Fabulous Forsythia!
Easter Parade!
Narcissus or daffodils are an integral part of our Easter celebrations and bring delight to the senses after a cold winter. Many of us grow… Read More »Easter Parade!
HELLEBORE HEAVEN
Hellebores are a delight in the garden from Christmas through to Easter. The Christmas rose is well known for it’s beautiful white flowers in the depths of winter but there are many more and with a little knowledge of their requirements everyone can give a Hellebore a home.
Bee and insect accommodation!
Congratulations to Sarah Blake in Cranleigh for winning the free Cathie’s Mobile Gardening School consultancy and to everyone else who won the reduced fee visits.… Read More »Bee and insect accommodation!
Autumn Tidy Up!!
Autumn is such a beautiful colourful time of year but many plants die or die back or just look a bit sad. The question is… Read More »Autumn Tidy Up!!
Autumn Sedums
The Autumn brings us spectacular colours as deciduous trees and shrubs prepare themselves for the winter rest. As well as coloured leaves, berries and stems… Read More »Autumn Sedums
An Introduction to Keeping Bees
Advice for new beekeepers from Cathie at Cathie’s Gardening School, Secretts Garden Centre, Milford. We now have three colonies of bees in the teaching garden… Read More »An Introduction to Keeping Bees
Beautiful Bark and Stunning Stems!
Some inspirational gardening ideas by Cathie from Cathie’s Gardening School. I was inspired to write this article after a New Year’s Walk around Harold Hillier’s… Read More »Beautiful Bark and Stunning Stems!
Bees, Bees, Bees….
Advice on all kinds of bees from Cathie at Cathie’s Gardening School, Squire’s Garden Centre at Secretts, Milford. Regular readers will be aware that there… Read More »Bees, Bees, Bees….
Botanical Drinks
As a horticulturist with a deep passion for growing all things edible it occurred to me that readers may like to share how easy it… Read More »Botanical Drinks
BUGINGHAM PALACE!
Regular readers will be aware that Cathie’s Garden Army have recently created a garden at Woking and Sam Beare Hospice which was designed by Valerie… Read More »BUGINGHAM PALACE!
Cathie’s Gardening School is going mobile!
Have you ever wished for an expert with you in your garden to offer advice and guidance? Many people do not have the time to… Read More »Cathie’s Gardening School is going mobile!
Christmas Nuts!
Each year at this time I look at one of the Christmas traditions relating to horticulture and this year I have chosen nuts! I find… Read More »Christmas Nuts!
Oh Christmas Tree!
It’s that time of year again and I have written some interesting articles over past festive seasons. How many of you have wondered why we… Read More »Oh Christmas Tree!
Christmas Wreath
At this time of year I like to look at the meanings behind some of our Christmas traditions. We’ve covered Holly, Ivy, Mistletoe, Christmas roses… Read More »Christmas Wreath
Clematis Pruning
The perpetual problem! The challenge is to watch when it flowers, hence writing the article now. It can seem so complicated with all the different… Read More »Clematis Pruning
COMPOST CONFUSION!
When I was starting out in horticulture many moons ago we had to mix our own potting composts and it was quite revolutionary when we… Read More »COMPOST CONFUSION!
Crops in Pots
Advice on growing vegetables in pots from Cathie at Cathie’s Gardening School, Squires at Secretts Garden Centre, Milford. Last year we looked at growing your… Read More »Crops in Pots
Dazzling Dahlias
Dahlias are the most popular late season flowers but many people do not grow them due to the high maintenance requirements. Here are some interesting… Read More »Dazzling Dahlias
Daphnes in January
The Daphne is a delightfully scented alpine or shrub. They vary greatly in size, colour and cultivation requirements. Every garden should have one, although they… Read More »Daphnes in January
Dogwood Dilemma
An unusual month to look at these colourful winter plants but the pruning is very important if we are to retain their coloured stems every… Read More »Dogwood Dilemma
Drought Resistant Planting
Advice on choosing the right plants for the hot Summer ahead from Cathie at Cathie’s Gardening School, Secretts Garden Centre, Milford. In April we were… Read More »Drought Resistant Planting