Independent gardening advice for real gardens, balconies and windowsills.
Practical advice on growing food and flowers, improving soil, and making the most of small spaces. Start anywhere — the garden will meet you.
Half-hardy perennial The Ranunculus can be grown either from seed or from roots. The seed is thinly sown from January to March, in boxes four to six inches deep, filled with good soil. A cool greenhou...
Raphanus sativus The Radish is often badly grown through being sown too thickly, or on lumpy ground, or in places not favourable to quick vegetation. Radishes grown slowly become tough, pungent and wo...
Chinese Primrose. Greenhouse annual The history of the Chinese Primula since it first reached this country has an almost romantic interest. As originally received the flower was, and now is, insignifi...
Primula vulgaris. Hardy perennial The mere name of this flower is sufficient to recall visions of spring and perhaps of happy visits to its haunts in days gone by. But many ardent lovers of the Primro...
Solarium tuberosum The potato has been designated the 'King of the Kitchen Garden,' and perhaps 'the noble tuber' should be so regarded. Of its importance as an article of food it is impossible to spe...
Purslane. Half-hardy annual This is a splendid subject when the weather favours it. In a dry hot season, and on a sandy soil, Portulacas can be grown as easily as Cress. Sowings are sometimes made ear...
Papaver. Hardy annual and hardy perennial The recent developments of this flower have brought it into great and deserved popularity, and it may be safely affirmed that few other subjects in our garden...
Primula (veris) elatior. Hardy perennial A sowing in February or March in pans will produce strong specimens for flowering in the following year. Or seed may be sown from May to July on a shady border...
Dianthus plumarius. Hardy perennial This old English flower is valued in every garden. Both the double and single varieties are easily raised from seed and the plants bloom with the greatest freedom....
Dianthus Caryophyllus fl. pi. Hardy perennial Seedling Picotees are extremely robust and free-flowering, and seed saved from the best types will produce handsome specimens. The instructions for growin...
Hardy perennial The seed of perennial Phlox is very slow and erratic in germinating, and from a sowing made in September the seedlings may not appear until the following spring. Seed may also be sown...