Potpourri Magazine

Garden trends - zones to make the most of your space
Gardens are working harder than ever as people spend more time in them and appreciate their potential.  Designers are increasingly creating separate zones with different purposes to maximise the use...
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Body, soul and gardening - wellbeing from tactile plants
Gardens that stimulate the senses are a great way to create relaxing outdoor spaces, helping us to physically connect with nature.  As well as the familiar scented gardens, tactile gardens...
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How to create a bee-friendly garden
It’s a joy watching bees in the garden.  Sadly, however, they’re on the decline due to systemic pesticides and loss of varied habitats, amongst other things.  Bees are vital for...
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Technology in the garden - wheelbarrows
The latest innovations are designed to ease the strain and make gardening easier. The Bucketbarrow.  The wheelbarrow is a mainstay bit of kit for gardeners, yet since its invention thousands of...
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Our vlog pick - Sean's Allotment Homestead Garden
London-based gardener Sean James Cameron has been gardening for over 30 years and is passionate about growing his own produce and sharing his knowledge.  His most recent videos follow his...
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The unexpected gardener - Mary Berry
Much-loved food writer, TV presenter and former Great British Bakeoff judge Mary Berry may be renowned for her baking, but less well known is her love of gardening.  ‘In another...
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Seasonal produce - what to do with beetroot
Beetroots are easy to grow and can be sown from April to June.  Harvest them when they’re the size of a golf ball.  They’re delicious and nutritious and great roasted...
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Garden trends - relax in a swinging seat
Laid-back swinging seats are the height of fashion this summer and a great way of creating a holiday vibe in the garden.  Designers are increasingly incorporating everything from hammocks to...
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Body soul and gardening - the golden hour
Like so many people, I’ve been appreciating my garden more than ever over recent weeks, but my favourite moment has to be first thing in the morning, before anyone is...
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Body, soul and gardening - water to soothe the senses
As the weather heats up, having cooling water in the garden is all the more appealing.  It creates a calming focal point, adding gentle sound, movement and sparkling light to...
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Our podcast pick - Talking Heads
This lively and informative gardening podcast - which recently celebrated 10,000 downloads - makes for comforting and informative listening while you’re doing your gardening or cooking.  Fellow head gardeners Saul...
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Book review - The Modern Cottage Garden by Greg Loades
In his new book, Greg explores a fusion between the ever-popular cottage garden of roses and foxgloves and the prairie-style planting of designers like Piet Outdolf, with swathes of grasses...
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Garden trends - vertical gardening
The trend for green or ‘living walls’ continues in popularity, in both domestic and commercial situations, as the technology advances and more specialist companies are set up.  These walls are...
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Technology in the garden - Vegebag
If you’re looking for extra growing space, either in a small garden or because you’ve already packed your garden to the rafters and want to squeeze in some salad leaves,...
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Gardening tip - deadheading roses
Keep deadheading your roses religiously for a succession of blooms.  Removing heads instantly smartens up the plant and can keep repeat-flowering roses going for months.  Remove the flowers as you...
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The unexpected gardener - Dame Judi Dench
As if being a brilliant actress and generally classy woman isn’t enough, Judi is also passionate about nature.  She is often seen at RHS Chelsea and has a peachy-coloured David...
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Seasonal produce - what to do with courgettes
Courgettes are hungry plants but easy to grow and versatile.  Aside from ratatouille, they’re great raw and are easy to grate into salads with a bit of lemon and oil.  Alternatively,...
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Father's Day fun - building a bug hotel with the kids
As crafty projects go, this is pretty relaxed as you don’t need any tools or particular material, just twigs, wood and old pots lying around the garden – in fact...
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Gardening tip - the Chelsea chop
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show may not have happened this year but we can still think of it while we prune back our late flowering herbaceous plants to avoid them...
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Garden trends - Shabby chic and recycled materials
The world of garden design is seeing a growing shift away from sleek minimalism towards gardens with character and texture, with greater use of recycled materials reflecting growing environmental awareness....
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Technology in the garden - birdsong identification apps
Listening to birdsong is one of the great pleasures of being in our gardens more.  And while all birdsong is a delight, getting to know particular bird song brings even...
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