COMPOSTING FOR BEGINNERS

Composting is an easy way to reduce waste and creates nutrient-rich soil for gardening. So it's great for the environment and also helps you to save money by reducing the amount of waste and also on buying store brought fertilisers. 

Composting is a natural process that breaks down organic material, such as food scraps and garden waste, into a dark, crumbly substance that can be used to improve soil quality and nourish plants. 

Composting is an easy way to reduce your environmental footprint making a healthier and more sustainable garden. Composting for beginners isn't as hard as some people and as long as you have the essential tools then you are good to go.

HOW TO GROW POTATOES IN A CONTAINER

Most of us don't have the space for a vegetable plot in our gardens. However that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the experience of home grown produce. Potatoes are great for growing in containers and ideal if you are short on space as they can be grown on balconies or on a patio. We've recently grown our own potatoes which have turned out brilliantly. 

ESSENTIAL TOOLS EVERY GARDENER NEEDS

If you are wanting to start getting into gardening it can be a little bit overwhelming with where to begin. As a beginner the choice of tools and equipment can be confusing if you don't have a clue where to start and it also depends on the jobs you will be doing depending on your garden. An example is if you have faux grass your not going to need a lawn mower or edging sheers. I thought I'd help you out with a list of essential tools that every gardener needs.

Gloves

Garden Gloves are essential for all seasons. They protect your hands especially from getting splinters and from thorns etc. Pruning and tidying plants is a frequent gardening job so a good quality pair of gloves that are multipurpose and suitable for all seasons is the best option. 

GUIDE TO HOSTING A PERFECT SUMMER BBQ

 Now that you know about the different types of BBQs and how to clean your BBQ it's now time to think about hosting your perfect BBQ. As the weather (hopefully) starts to improve an afternoon spent with friends/family eating delicious food is a great way to spend time together. Planning and organising a successful BBQ however does take time and preparation. To help you out I've complied this guide to help you to host that perfect summer BBQ that guests will leave wanting to come  back for another one soon.

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR BBQ

 Continuing with the BBQ theme this week I'm sharing how to clean your BBQ. If you are looking into getting a new BBQ then check out my guide to buying a BBQ.  Our BBQ is need of a clean after the winter months and I'm guessing most of you reading this probably haven't looked at it or given it a thought until now. 

Since your BBQ hasn't most likely been looked at from last summer it's a good idea to get food safe and sparkling before your next get together. I reccomend at least giving it a day before you use it to make sure you can give your BBQ the care it needs. 

GUIDE TO BUYING A BBQ

BBQ season is almost here! If you are in the need of purchasing this popular, summer garden stapel then you might be wondering about the different types. BBQs are a fun way to cook and the sort you need depends on various things. I'll be sharing some pros and cons in regards to the different options available.

5 Ways To Make Your Patio More Inviting

If you are lucky enough to have a garden and a patio area, it's the perfect place for enjoying time outdoors. It may not seem like that though if its looking a bit neglected. We are making our patio area more inviting for the summer months ahead.

The great thing is that there are some simple ways to make it a more inviting area.

HOW TO CLEAN ARTIFICIAL GRASS

There are many benefits of having artificial grass, one of them being it is low maintenance. Although you don't need to be mowing, watering, weeding etc like natural grass requires , there are still things you need to do to keep your artificial grass in tip top condition. 

5 BENEFITS OF ARTIFICIAL GRASS

Have you been considering getting artificial grass? I know a few people who have been thinking about it but are pretty unsure. One of the things I recommend doing first is to look at samples of the different types available. This was what we did before we did our front yard make over. Artificial grass isn't for everyone so it's best to look up as much information as you can to find out if it is right for you.

OUR FRONT YARD MAKE OVER

When we moved into our house, we knew we wanted to go something with our front garden. It's a great space and originally I had thought of us doing similar to my mum and having a built in planter. However during the first lockdown last year we got to know our neighbours ( socially distanced) and over time Blake has made quite a few friends. He plays out the front often with them and so it was decided that we would make the area child friendly.

As you can see in the above before photo it was all concrete, which we felt wasn't really safe for kids to play on. We also had a bench left from the previous owners but wanted to get a new one with storage space. First things first Stuart painted the walls cream to match part of the house. It made a huge difference and really brightened up the area.