This blog is the result of over 20 years of working in building and renovations and a growing career in writing guides, columns and books.
Posted in Fruit Gardening, Gardening Guides on February 11th, 2012 by Julian Cassell – Be the first to comment
Growing apples is about as simple as it gets if you want to grow some fruit in your garden. Apples are the most popular orchard fruit, and although they prefer rich, moist, well drained soil, they still manage to crop well even in poor conditions. Below are the essential points to take into consideration if you are thinking about growing apples in your garden. read more »
Posted in Gardening Guides, Planting a Garden on February 9th, 2012 by Julian Cassell – Be the first to comment
When planting in pots, tubs, baskets and even window boxes, be aware that in all these situations the plants will have an increased need for nutrients as they are grown very close together. Therefore, you must use a slow-release fertiliser when you plant, to feed them throughout the season and keep them healthy. The following sequence shows the key principles when planting pots with a variety of plants including small shrubs, along with the best technique for planting up pots with bulbs. read more »
Posted in Gardening Guides, Growing Vegetables on February 7th, 2012 by Julian Cassell – Be the first to comment
Because so many recipes make use of onions, shallots or garlic, growing them in your garden always seems like a sensible option to me. Not only are they all very easy to grow, these indispensable vegetables are simple to store for future use. Onions of ordinary size and quality can be grown in most soils. Always, check the specific instructions provided by your supplier, but the basics of growing onions, shallots and garlic, are laid out below. read more »
Posted in 'How-to' Guides, Kitchens on February 4th, 2012 by Julian Cassell – Be the first to comment
Planning a kitchen really does need to be an operation of almost military precision because there are so many things to think about, and therefore so many things that can go wrong. However, the result of good kitchen planning is right up near the top of what I would call the ‘Home Improvement Project Gratification List’. read more »
Posted in Gardening Guides, Growing Vegetables on February 2nd, 2012 by Julian Cassell – Be the first to comment
Growing potatoes is one of the most satisfying of all vegetable gardening adventures. Furthermore, potatoes are an excellent crop for new or neglected gardens as the root system breaks up the soil and improves its structure. There are few soils in which potatoes won’t grow reasonably well and the sequence below shows how simple the process can be. You do need to do a bit of preparation in getting your seed potatoes ready for planting, and because there are many varieties to choose from, always pay particular attention to the supplier’s guidelines on when exactly to plant. read more »
