Welcome to The Garden Notebook — a journal of thoughts, tips, and seasonal musings from life among the borders.
Here you’ll find a growing collection of reflections from my own gardening journey — practical advice, stories from the soil, and inspiration drawn from the ever-changing rhythm of the year. Whether you’re battling clay, coaxing colour into shade, or simply enjoying a quiet moment among the plants, I hope these posts offer encouragement and useful ideas to carry back into your own patch of earth.
Settle in, have a read, and feel free to share your own garden stories along the way.
When the Ladybirds Come Too Late: Gardening with Nature’s Clock, Not Ours There’s something deeply frustrating about watching a plant you’ve cared for—watered, fed, maybe even planted for the insects—get
Not All Clay Is the Same: Understanding the Types of Clay Soil in UK Gardens When we say “clay soil,” it conjures up a universal image, sticky, slow-draining, heavy to
Fatsia Japonica: Bold, Evergreen, and Full of Surprises You know those corners of the garden where nothing seems to want to grow? The ones that always feel a bit forgotten—north-facing,
Dragonflies in the Garden: Natural Mosquito Control with Beauty and Balance “The dragonfly brings dreams to life, not just with wings, but with what it keeps at bay—mosquitoes most of
Head Gardener Paul Walton with the newly finished section of stumpery at Biddulph Grange Garden | © National Trust / Claire Humphreys How to Make a Stumpery: A Beginner’s Guide
Raised Beds on Clay Soil: Are They Worth It? If you garden on clay soil, you’ll know it comes with two distinct personalities—sticky and unworkable in winter, then dry and
The Best Fast-Flowering Climbers for Shade: Perennials and Annuals to Try on a Trellis Climbers in the shade sounds like a contradiction. But if you’ve ever stood in a dim
Geranium Troubles? Here’s How to Keep Yours Happy All Season Long There’s something about a geranium that speaks to the heart of summer. Maybe it’s the sight of a bright
Companion Planting That Just Works: Salvia, Nepeta, and Bowles Mauve There’s something quietly satisfying about walking into a border that just feels right. You might not be able to put
Where Are the Ladybirds? Why Beneficial Insects Might Be Missing—and How to Invite Them Back Step into any thriving garden and you’ll find more than just plants at work. Look