Outdoor Living

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? ...

Goodbye, Nosy Neighbours: My Secret to a Private Garden (That’s Actually a Garden!) You know that feeling, right? When you’re out enjoying your garden, maybe sipping a cuppa or wrestling with a particularly stubborn weed, and you just… feel eyes on you. Yep, the dreaded nosy neighbour stare. I’ve been there! For years, my go-to solution was a hedge. It seemed like the obvious answer, the classic privacy barrier. But let me tell you, after 8+ years of digging, pruning, and occasionally wrestling with prickly bits, I’ve learned a thing or two about what really works. ...

My Garden is Buzzing with Ants – And That’s a Good Thing! Oh, the ants! If you’re anything like me, seeing those tiny, determined trails marching across your garden beds right now might send a shiver of dread down your spine. Especially after a toasty summer, it feels like they’ve decided my little patch of green is the hottest real estate in town. I’ve seen them everywhere – forming little highways on the patio, building miniature mountains in my petunia pots, and generally swarming around my precious plants. My first, almost primal, instinct? Grab the bug spray! ...

Beyond the Boring Box: My Top 3 Native Screening Plants That Outshine Any Hedge You know that feeling? You’re sitting in your garden, enjoying a quiet morning coffee, and then… your neighbor decides to have a lively BBQ, or a delivery truck parks right in your line of sight. Privacy, it seems, is a precious commodity these days. For years, the go-to solution has been the humble hedge. And yes, a well-maintained hedge can be lovely. But let’s be honest, sometimes it feels a bit… expected. A bit like wearing the same outfit to every party. ...

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! ...

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. ...

Hey fellow garden enthusiasts! Emma Chen here, trading my industry analyst hat for my well-worn gardening gloves for a moment. You know, after years of diving deep into market trends, I’ve found that some of the most profound shifts actually start small, right in our own backyards. And this year, I’m absolutely buzzing about a trend that’s poised to transform how we experience our green spaces: Multi-Sensory Garden Lighting. The Magic of a Garden After Sundown There’s something truly enchanting about a garden when the sun dips below the horizon. It’s a different world, a softer, more intimate space where shadows play tricks and familiar plants take on a new, ethereal glow. I remember last summer, after a particularly grueling season of analyzing complex data sets, I’d retreat to my patio with a cup of tea. Even my little postage-stamp garden, with its rambling roses and a few strategically placed terracotta pots, felt like a sanctuary. But as dusk settled, it would sort of… disappear. A shame, right? Especially when there’s so much potential! ...

The Magic of Bringing the Bush Home: Kath Gadd’s Native Garden Wisdom Oh, how I love this time of year! The air is just starting to hum with life, the garden is bursting with new growth, and I’m already dreaming of the buzzing bees and flitting birds that will grace my little patch. It’s moments like these that I’m reminded of why I fell in love with gardening in the first place. And speaking of falling in love with gardens, I recently stumbled upon some absolute gold from landscape designer Kath Gadd. She was showing Charlie Albone around one of her creations, and honestly, it made my heart sing. ...

Stillness Season: Why Winter Gardening Might Be the Most Powerful Mood Booster of All You know that feeling, right? When spring finally uncurls its vibrant fingers, and suddenly your garden explodes into a technicolor dream. The air thrums with the buzz of pollinators, the scent of blooming roses, and the sheer, unadulterated joy of life bursting forth. It’s undeniable, and frankly, one of my favorite parts of this whole gardening gig. But here’s something that might surprise you: for all the razzle-dazzle of summer, I’ve found that the quiet, introspective beauty of winter gardening can be an even more profound mood booster. ...

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? ...