Potpourri Magazine

If you love gardening, our magazine will inspire you. It's a real magazine, not just a newsletter, and it's packed full of interesting articles written by professional gardening journalists. It's totally free and arrives once a month by email. Here is a selection of recent articles.

Body, soul and gardening - the sound of silence

Body, soul and gardening - the sound of silence
The world is often a noisy place, especially in urban settings.  Research indicates that noise pollution can cause harmful levels of stress, both physically and mentally, and that taking time...
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Garden trends - gravel gardens

Garden trends - gravel gardens
Low maintenance and drought-tolerant, gravel gardens are becoming increasingly popular. They’re perfectly suited to our hot dry summers and have a relaxed airy feel, with plants growing up through gravel...
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Cut flower corner - what to pick now

Cut flower corner - what to pick now
The late summer garden can still be full of colour.  There are roses on their second flush, hydrangeas blushing pink and the last of the echinacea, phlox and penstemon taking...
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The unexpected gardener - Lorraine Kelly

The unexpected gardener - Lorraine Kelly
The popular ITV broadcaster enjoys gardening and has talked about finding it a great form of escapism - particularly during stressful times like lockdown.  ‘It’s lovely to just get outside...
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Technology in the garden - smart rain gauge

Technology in the garden - smart rain gauge
It’s easy to overestimate how much water a garden has really had after it’s rained.  The soil might look wet, but it could be surface moisture.  A rain gauge can...
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Podcast - The Garden Log

Podcast - The Garden Log
Gardener and podcaster Ben Dark, has until recently been working as a Head Gardener at a private English country estate but has now moved his family to Copenhagen where he...
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In the Cotwolds

In the Cotwolds
Frustrated by the limitations of container gardening on our balcony, we wanted a garden, so some years ago we relocated from London to the Cotswolds. We got our big garden,...
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Cut flower corner - what to pick in August

Cut flower corner - what to pick in August
The garden is full of high summer flowers to bring into the house – it’s such a lovely thing to do and helps you really appreciate the detail of your...
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Body, soul and gardening - low allergen gardens

Body, soul and gardening - low allergen gardens
Summer in the garden can be unpleasant for hay fever and asthma sufferers, but this needn’t be the case with the right plant choices.  Here’s what to consider. As a...
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Gardening hero - Nigel Dunnett

Gardening hero - Nigel Dunnett
Nigel is Professor of Planting and Urban Horticulture at the University of Sheffield.  He’s a horticulturist and designer and has pioneered innovative ecological approaches to planting gardens and public spaces...
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Q&A with the McBrides of the Sussex Prairie Garden

Q&A with the McBrides of the Sussex Prairie Garden
Paul and Pauline McBride designed and created this garden from scratch.  We first asked them: What was the thinking behind the design? The overall design is a spiral intersected by...
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Garden trends - living roofs

Garden trends - living roofs
From wild flowers to sedum growing above extensions and sheds, people are increasingly realising the benefits a green roof can bring.  Not only are they attractive, they also help keep...
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Podcast - This week in the garden with Peter Seabrook

Podcast - This week in the garden with Peter Seabrook
Gardening writer, broadcaster and lecturer, Peter shares his wealth of experience on this horticultural podcast. He talks to horticultural experts from all aspects of the gardening world, from designers Ann-Marie...
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Technology in the garden - Big Green Egg

Technology in the garden - Big Green Egg
Roast chicken in the garden, anyone? If lockdown inspired you to cook al fresco, but you’d like to do more than grill a sausage, it might be worth investing in...
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Podcast - The Virgin Gardener

Podcast - The Virgin Gardener
The Virgin Gardener podcast presented by Laetitia Maklouf and Andrew O’Brien is aimed at anyone wanting to green up their space – indoor or out.  They have a fabulous line...
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Technology in the garden - UV garden parasols

Technology in the garden - UV garden parasols
Parasols are perfect for creating soothing shade in a favourite seating or dining area in the garden.  And with climate change and our growing understanding of the damage the sun...
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The secret gardener - Nigel Havers

The secret gardener - Nigel Havers
When he’s not on screen or stage, actor Nigel Havers enjoys working in the garden, describing himself as a keen gardener. Becoming a home owner, after buying a house in Wandsworth...
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Cut flower corner - all about sweet peas

Cut flower corner - all about sweet peas
With their gorgeous scent, frilly blooms and beautiful colours, sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) make wonderful summer cut flowers.  They take a bit of tending to, but the rewards are more...
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Garden trends - new colours for rendered walls

Garden trends - new colours for rendered walls
White is out, in comes something warmer. Rendered garden walls painted a crisp white is a classic look.  However, the mood in garden design is turning towards something softer with...
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Body, soul and gardening - garden seating

Body, soul and gardening - garden seating
Whether it’s for a moment’s pause or a longer rest, a variety of seating in multiple areas of the garden allows you some calming time out. Mornings and evenings are...
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Technology in the garden - the olla

Technology in the garden - the olla
The use of ollas - unglazed porous clay vessels - is an ancient technique for irrigation, saving time energy and water.  It’s a simple idea: the clay pot is buried...
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