The Plotting Shed

I discovered a new word this week - Xeriscape, which means to grow plants whilst reducing the need for irrigation.  And ornamental grasses are very good plants that don't require much water, which makes them an ideal choice in many gardens,  But often growing these ornamental grasses in the garden can lead to disappointing results; so this week Rachel discusses how you can grow them better.  ...

Have you ever stared out into the garden and wished you knew a bit more about garden design? You know that garden border that's looking a bit dull, but how do you work out what to change and how to replant it. Well here are 5 easy tips that will help you make your garden borders better read the article at PlantPlots Support the show Support the Show - Thank you PlantPlots.com Watch our videos...

We all want to learn from the garden design pros's - after all they should kow what they are doing! But not every desing tips is worth adding to your garden. In this weeks episode Rachel lets you know which ones you should be following, and which to leave in at the RHS Garden Shows Read the article at PlantPlots.com Support the show Support the Show - Thank you PlantPlots.com Watch our videos...

I was very fortunate to be able to attend all the 3 main RHS garden shows this year. So, Chelsea in May, Hampton Court and Tatton Park in July. All three shows have very different flavours, but there are themes that are common to all. Now, not all the elements in these garden shows are worth copying, these are shows after all. But some are; so what are they? Read the article at PlantPlots.com Supp...

Welcome to the new series of the Plotting Shed.  Have you missed me? SO, did the experiment work? If you remember last season Rachel started a garden experiment to see whether it really works for the average gardener. Does not mowing the lawn help reduce the maintenance and still make the garden feel like a garden.  And what about the weeds; how did that go? Tune in and you can find out - or you c...

Well this is the last episode in the current series. Rachel will be back at the end of September- just as you are ready to get back into the garden and make it ready for winter. This week - weeds, and why we all need to think again. Is it a Pain, Prolific or cause you a Problem., if none of the above, then why not adopt a new approach and allow Nature to underplant your garden. PlantPlots.com - ma...

Unless you are incredibly wealthy and live in a large home surrounded by countryside - you own; most of us share our gardens with the neighbours. We have road noise, pollution ugly views and privacy issues. So how can you create a garden that feels like your escape fro mthe outside world. A space that allows you to lose the noise and focus on just the greenery around you.  It's not impossible...

Garden design used to be easier when gardens were more orderer shapes. You could copy what the neighbours had done, or look in books or magazines for ideas on design. But modern gardens can be all sorts of shapes and sizes, which makes it harde to design. There are a few simple tips to follow for internal corners (Fill) and external corners (Wrap) - if you want ot know more - just tune in an liste...

You might think shade is just a place the sun doesn't shine on - but in terms of gardening know-how, shade is a little more nuanced! This weeks episode is about how shade affects the plants in the garden, and what you can do to make sure the dull bits in your garden shine and thrive. Oh and you'll find out what Cholophyll A's favourite 2 colours are! PlantPlots.com - making gardenin...

Did you know there are 3 types of slopes: Up Slopes Down Slopes  and Side Slopes Each presents a different challenge in a garden. Should you terrace,  and how would you plant a garden that isn't flat?   Listen in  it could save you time money and a lot of un-needed effort. PlantPlots.com : Simple Practical and Affordable Garden Deisgn advice for every garden - even wonky ones! Dealing with sl...

This week what are the problems associated with narrow gardens. These can be narrow alley type spaces in city environments or the traditional long gardens often found in  older terrace housing. There are a few design tricks you can use to make either space feel like a bigger wider and more interesting space Narrow side alleys Long thin garden design and narrow spaces Garden Design Gallery PlantPlo...

This week Rachel starts tackling the designg issues many gardens have. So what and how can you design your garden easily if its wider than it is deep and the only view you see is the end fence. Simple practical and affordable design solutions for every type of garden ( & even if you don't like gardening much!) PlantPlots Design Gallery Cool Stuff we just like Support the show Support the...

Not every plant can grow on a balcony well, why oh why then do all the images on the interenet give the impression anything will grow beautifully in that tiny little space. Balcony gardens are effectively 1 of 3 types of garden - a sauna, a shady cave or a mountain top. If you want plants that will thrive and look gorgeous - then you need to think like a plant! Vertical Gardening - tips for growin...

Garden privacy is important, but there is a trade off. 100% private means 100% enclosed -nothing gets in and you can't see out. So is there a better way to make gardens feel more private without retrating behind big greeen hedges and walls... well obviously otherwise it would be a very short podcast!  Better Garden Design by PlantPlots. Support the show Support the Show - Thank you PlantPlots...

We all experience this at some point in our lives - we move to a place where for the very first time there is an outside space - that's all yours to play with!  So you want to make a garden..... but where to start, how do you begin, what style should you choose...  Once again Rachel takes you through the thought process, because if you know what could go wrong before you begin to create your...

Gardens hve to cater for everyone, but all too often they simply become a  lawn with a swing. So how in an average small garden can anyone create a family friendly space...? How to make a garden interesting for kids How to plan a family friendly garden Can Football goals, kids and garden plants coexist happily?  there is a way; just! Support the show Support the Show - Thank you PlantPlots.com Wat...

Welcome back to the new spring series of the Plotting shed. This week Rachel discusse how you can learn to design your garden without having to spend thousands!  THis is the first of 10 podcasts aimed at helping you design a garden - without needing a garden designer! A rissky strategy for a garden design company to adopt... but you could always buy me a ko-fi! :) See more on beginner garden desig...

Firstly, I would like to say thank you to everyone who has downloaded and listened to this series of The Plotting Shed.  This is the last show in this series - we will be back in the Spring of 2022 with a new exciting series. So what will happen in the world of gardening in 2022, where is gardening going and what should you be focussing on for next year. PLUS a few little snippets of information a...

This week Rachel takes the best products and information from the Landscapers Show  so you know what innovation in ideas and products are available.  Turn your garden into a fun orchestra Clever vertical gardening / living wall products Easy simple cost effective products to counter some effects of climate change Biodegradable weed membranes Convert your drive into a ground source heat pump Join t...

Up the Wall Gardening - This weeks show hosts Rachel and Helen discuss how to garden above ground. So planting in pots, baskets or growing plants on balconies or in vertical gardens.  Too often the wrong types of plants are used - which only makes more work for you! As our aim is to always make gardening easier...  There are lots of tips and hints on the best plants to use, so you get a better dis...

What makes a good garden plant? How should you choose plants for the garden?  This week H and Rachel discuss what makes plants work in any garden,  and how you can use our simple definition to help you get the planting right for your gardens. See the plants we think every garden should have :) Plus we discuss some of the new plant suppliers that have popped up, who are changing the way plants are...

Following on from last weeks podcast - part 1. This weeks discussion looks at how your decision making process can help you make better garden choices - that are good for you, good for your garden and better for the environment. And we still haven't got to the 'whack-a-mole' plan for better garden design.... that's coming up next week folks.   :) PlantPlots.com Oh and do let us...

This weeks discussion is not about how you can become a better gardener not by the skills you acquire, but because of the decisions you make.  Understanding why you garden influences the decisions you make about your garden, but sometimes 'stuff' gets in the way and we end up following a different path. Your garden has to deliver for you; and meet your requirements, and its OK for you to...

How does your gut react to your garden?  This week Rachel and Helen discuss the real science behind your mood, your health, your gut and your garden! Now this is 22 minutes you won't want to miss! PlantPlots.com - where we make gardening easier and you happier! - hopefully! :)  Support the show Support the Show - Thank you PlantPlots.com Watch our videos facebook.com/plantplots Pinterest/Plan...

This week H and I continue challenging  garden convention. This week's episode we talk about why flower shows and garden centres make your life more difficult - especially if you are a novice gardener. Plus what you can do to stop you buying plants that won't, don't and can't work in your garden.  We have decided to subvert garden convention by launching the 'Garden Libera...