Gardens
There’s a lot to be said about allotments
At New Year many of us start to think about ways to improve ourselves and the world around us by growing our own organic fruit and vegetables. For the lucky ones this might mean a renewed effort to make good on the garden, or for city dwellers like me it means hunting out some green space on an allotment or…
Read MoreA bit of movie magic comes to garden centre
A Scots garden centre is offering some Christmas movie magic for youngsters. Cleaner-cum-carpenter Alex Freeman has created a replica of the Polar Express steam train from the movie of the same name featuring Hollywood star, Tom Hanks. The train Alex crafted from wood has become a popular attraction with kids when they see the Polar…
Read MoreChanging the garden as the children mature
Having lived in their family home in Edinburgh since 2003, Derek McGowan and his partner Lesley Marshall felt it was time to give their garden an update. As the children got older it became clear their garden needed a modern overhaul in order to keep up with the families changing lifestyle. ‘Previously the kids used…
Read MoreRemoving Japanese Knotweed is not an easy process
One of the – literal – growing problems in Scotland is Japanese Knotweed. Japanese Knotweed is one of the toughest, most damaging and insidious plants in the world. There’s even an old wives’ tale about this weed growing so menacingly, that it can ‘creep over cat’s feet.’ It’s also challenging to eradicate and can grow…
Read MoreThe forgotten past of Scotland’s secret gardens
This summer’s dry weather has revealed the forgotten past of hidden and long-lost gardens across the country. The Oxford English Dictionary describes a garden as ‘an enclosed piece of ground devoted to the cultivation of flowers, fruit or vegetables’. And to all intents and purposes that is exactly what it is, but it still seems…
Read MoreCreating perfect Zen garden was Martin’s dream
Martin Stepek is one of Scotland’s foremost teachers in Mindfulness. He is a published author of three books in the field. Martin began practicing the simple, scientifically proven techniques of Mindfulness nearly 20 years ago and found that they gave him great benefits. To nurture and cultivate his skills, he began attending a weekend residential…
Read MoreA city escape with a beautifully designed garden
Before Tina Kelly and her husband John moved to Edinburgh over 14 years ago, the garden was never a priority. ‘We’d never really lived anywhere for more than four years. With this one, we had finished the work on the house and the garden frustrated us a bit, which is why we decided to get…
Read MoreBlooming great gardens are all winners
The most attractive gardens in Aberdeen have been revealed this week. From fine-looking flowers to gorgeous greenery, these are the beautiful winners of this year’s Aberdeen in Bloom annual garden competition. The competition rewards and showcases residents and businesses for their contribution to Aberdeen’s stunning floral display which this year is in the finals in…
Read MoreStart now to add colour to your spring garden
The autumn nights may be drawing in, but now is the ideal time to get outside and sow the seeds of success for a vibrant garden next spring. The traditional sight of daffodils certainly brings some sunshine cheer, but why not mix up the go-to spring flower with these beautiful bloom ideas from Dobbies Garden…
Read MoreCastle opens its gardens to the public this Sunday
A Scottish castle is opening its garden to the public this weekend. On Sunday, 16 September, Kilbryde Castle in Stirlingshire will open its gardens on behalf of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, from 2-5pm. The Kilbryde Castle gardens cover some 12 acres and are situated above the Ardoch Burn and below the castle. The gardens are split…
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