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The Silent Greenery: Why Your Orchid Won’t Flower and How to Fix It Hello fellow plant lovers! Emma Chen here, checking in from my little slice of green heaven. You know, it’s that time of year again when the last of the spring bulbs are fading, and I’m starting to dream about the vibrant blooms of summer. But before we get to that, I wanted to chat about something I hear from so many gardeners, both seasoned and new: the mystery of the non-flowering orchid. ...

Gardens of the Year 2026: Celebrating a Decade of Green Inspiration! Ah, spring! That magical time when the earth finally stirs after its winter slumber, and my garden begins to whisper promises of new life. It’s a feeling I chase every year, that flutter of anticipation as the first tiny green shoots push through the soil. This year, though, there’s an extra buzz in the air, and it’s got me thinking about inspiration. Our beloved “Gardens of the Year” competition is hitting a big milestone – ten years! And to celebrate, we’re not just looking back, we’re inviting you to help pick the absolute “Best of the Best” from all the past winners. How exciting is that? ...

Hello fellow green thumbs! Emma Chen here, dusting off the potting soil and ready to chat about something that’s been on my mind lately, especially as the seasons start to shift. You know how it is – you’ve got your go-to spots for inspiration, those trusty resources you rely on for everything from coaxing a stubborn seedling to sprout to tackling a tricky landscaping design. For me, Better Homes & Gardens has always been one of those anchors. Whether I’m dreaming up new recipes for the harvest or trying to figure out why my tomatoes are looking a bit lackluster (a tale for another day!), they’ve always had something helpful. ...

The Sneaky Green Menace: Why You Need to Stop Bindweed in Its Tracks, Now! Ah, spring. That glorious time when the world shakes off its winter slumber, and our gardens burst back to life. The birds are singing, the days are longer, and – gulp – the bindweed is emerging from its subterranean slumber, ready to wage war on our carefully cultivated beds. As Emma Chen, an industry analyst who also happens to be a hopelessly devoted gardener, I’m here to tell you: don’t let it win! ...

The Clematis Calamity: Are You Accidentally Killing Your Vines This Winter? The crisp air, the promise of snow (or just a really good frost), and that quiet anticipation in the garden – I absolutely adore this time of year. It’s a moment for reflection, for planning, and yes, for tackling those winter pruning tasks that can make or break our beloved plants. And if there’s one plant that consistently causes gardeners a bit of heartache, it’s the elegant, yet sometimes baffling, clematis. ...

Don’t Let the Rain Stop You: 9 Winter Pruning Tasks to Do Now Oh, the winter rain! It’s enough to make even the most enthusiastic gardener want to hunker down with a cup of tea and a good book. But as much as I love a cozy indoor day, I’ve learned over my eight years as an industry analyst and my countless seasons in the garden, that winter is actually one of the best times to get your hands dirty – or at least, your secateurs! ...

Winter’s Whisper: Revamping Your Veggie Beds for a Bountiful Spring There’s a certain quiet magic in the air when winter starts to loosen its grip. For us gardeners, it’s a time of anticipation, of dreaming about the first tender shoots pushing through the soil. And if you’re anything like me, it’s also a signal to get those veggie beds in ship-shape for the new season. I’ve been playing in the dirt for over eight years now, and I’ve learned that a little winter prep can make a world of difference to your harvest. ...

As Emma Chen, Industry Analyst, I bring you this blog post: Winter’s Garden Whisper: My Chat with Alan Titchmarsh and Your Easy Guide to a Tidy Plot The air has that crisp bite, the leaves have done their spectacular (and sometimes messy!) dance, and the garden is settling into its winter slumber. For many, this is a time to put our feet up. But for us gardeners, well, it’s a different story, isn’t it? It’s a chance to breathe, to plan, and to get our hands (albeit a little chilly!) dirty in preparation for the explosion of life to come. ...

A Glimmer in the Grey: Meeting the Winter Bloom that Rewrites the Rules You know those deeply grey, bone-chilling winter days? The ones where every tree is bare, the ground is hard, and you spend half your time wondering if spring will ever truly arrive? In my garden, those are the days I usually find myself dreaming of seed catalogs and the vibrant promise of summer. But then, almost out of nowhere, a burst of bright, unapologetic yellow catches my eye. ...

Hello fellow green thumbs! Emma Chen here, bringing you some thoughts from my own little corner of the gardening world. It feels like just yesterday I was basking in the summer sun, trowel in hand, dreaming of autumn harvests. Now, as the days shorten and a chill creeps into the air, many of us are starting to pack away our tools and assume our plants are doing the same. But here’s a question that’s been on my mind, and likely yours too: Do you need to water in winter? ...