Gardenig in Italy. Tips & Guides

Andy Lyons

From Left: Sara Lee. Neilson Barnard / Staff / Getty Images.

Mention Mediterranean gardens and you’re likely to imagine alfresco dining, soft colour palettes, citrus trees in terracotta pots and sun-loving perennials, all awash with the heady scents of herbs such as lavender and thyme. But you don’t need to travel to Greece or Italy to enjoy this kind of outdoor living. Mediterranean-style gardens are becoming more popular in the UK as many areas become more susceptible to drought, due to the climate crisis. Planting with species that have naturally evolved to live in hot, dry conditions means your garden will be more resilient in dry periods and more sustainable in its use of water – an extremely precious resource during our increasingly hot summers.

However, our cat Skipper was paying them far too much attention, so I moved them to the hanging basket out front. The cooler weather there meant they've only started to bloom recently, and most welcome they are too. Once flowering is over, I'm taking a top tip learnt from my time at West Green House and planting them out in the border. I have a plan to revamp the front garden after last year's box demise and these will go there alongside a couple of ferns I have languishing in pots out the back. Waste not want not as they say. These are not the only bulbs I've been chatting about recently. Over on Insta I'm celebrating the pictured poet's daffodil posing on my windowsill as one of my final seasonal narcissus treats, and the lovely fritillary is featured on FloodRe's Flood Resilient Garden's site.Then of course

Brightland

Ranging from $500 to $5,000 per kilogram, saffron, or the Red Gold as it is commonly referred to, takes a total of about 150,000 flowers to produce just one kilogram! Now you know why it would be a great idea to have its plant at home!

This March we celebrate the return of Gardeners’ World to our screens by showing you just some of the gardens featured on the show, which you can visit using our 2-for-1 Gardens Entry Card.

Oscar Mayer

Transforming your flat’s balcony into a lush, herb-filled oasis is easier than you might think, even if you’re a complete novice. With a bit of know-how and enthusiasm, you can enjoy the freshest flavours right at your fingertips. Let’s dive into how to get started on this rewarding journey.

The oldest anthology of Japanese poetry refers to ‘seven plants showing green through the cold earth as harbingers of spring’.

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

How to Start Broccoli from Seed

Dumping manure in public spaces, hurling eggs at government buildings, blocking major roads—the European farmers who have taken to the streets to challenge free trade policies sure know how to raise a ruckus. Beginning with German farmers in January earlier this year, to then include French and Belgian producers, the continent-wide protest movement has expanded into Spain and Italy as of mid-February. Their public disruption has also produced results.

Header image: Details of a silicified fern fossil. Geoff Thompson/Queensland Museum

Whether sprinkled on top of a fresh tomato salad or infused in a homemade pesto, bigger basil leaves are a true delicacy for any food lover!

HGTV

Left: James Devaney; Right, Rob Kim / Getty Images

Smeg

We'll help you recognize weeds that look like wheat. Some, like Wild Oats and Cheatgrass, seem similar but differ in seed heads. Others, like Jointed Goatgrass and Volunteer Barley, share features but have distinct characteristics. Learning to spot these differences can help you easily identify weeds that might be mistaken for wheat in your garden.

Columnar or Fastigiate trees

This weekend wasn’t as hectic as last weekend, but there was still a lot to do. Saturday was the usual shopping, bell ringing for someone’s wedding and then a bell ringing striking competition. There were 7 bands (teams) ringing and you get judged on how many mistakes you make. The fewer the better. I am pleased to report that the band I was ringing in came 1st!! Yay!! We got 37.5 faults, the band that came 2nd got 40 faults, so it was close. We get the special cup for a year.

Today I only worked in the morning, that’s because I’m so good at my job I’ve got their garden all up to date. Give it a few months and they’ll be much more to do, but for now it’s just a morning.

Well we’re now into March, although the weather seems to think it’s January.

Last week, I showed you the Turkish astrobotany investigations flying on the Axiom 3 Private Space Mission, which launched to the International Space Mission yesterday. The plant experiments are part of a larger research program for the mission, much of which focuses on human biology and medical research. 

French writer Stendhal was profoundly struck by the beauty of Florence: ‘I had palpitations of the heart… Life was drained from me. I walked with the fear of falling.’ As a self-confessed history nerd, I’ve always been fascinated by the city, having visited several times. With so much to see, though, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of ornate churches and great works of art, by the bustle of city life, and by the heaving tide of tourists. Where better to seek solace then, than in one of the city’s many idyllic gardens?

Planting pepper seeds isn’t difficult and is the best way to enjoy the diverse range of sweet and hot pepper varieties available through seed catalogs. There are several ways you can approach starting pepper seeds. The most common method is to sow the seeds in pots or cell packs filled with a seed-starting mix. The second option is to pre-sprout the seeds using the paper towel method. Both are easy and effective and the first step to growing a bounty of homegrown peppers. This article walks you through each technique and offers tips for success.

Ernesto Ruscio / Contributor / Getty Images

Sometimes, the latest interior design trend is the best way to solve a decor dilemma—smart home appliances, updated materials, and popular color schemes can really elevate a space. But other times, looking to the past provides the answers you need to update your home and truly make it shine. If you’re looking to give your bathroom a refresh this season, you might be better off opting for traditional over trendy. Enter tadelakt.

If you love the sharp flavors of arugula and radicchio, you’ll adore puntarelle chicory. Also known as Catalogna chicory, puntarelle (Cichorium intybus) is a member of the chicory family popular in Italy. It is not commonly grown in North America, but if you enjoy growing chicory then its unique hearty greens are well worth your time. Read on to find out how to incorporate puntarelle into your home garden. 

Terracotta is such a classic choice for garden pots. It has been used in pottery for millennia, and today there are designs available to suit all styles and budgets.

If you’re already looking ahead to spring flowers, then you’re probably also well aware that right now is the ideal time for planting bulbs.

Herbs with Shallow Roots are perfect for seasoned greenthumbs and budding enthusiasts. Discover how these easily cultivated plants can transform your gardening experience and elevate your home-cooked meals while thriving in an astonishingly compact space!

Undoubtedly, tile is a versatile material that can transform and elevate the look of kitchens and baths, as well as living spaces, mantles, and mudrooms. But just like paint colors, tile designs go in and out of style and can ultimately date a space.

Growing compact Lemon Tree Varieties for Containers is a bright and zesty way to bring a slice of the Mediterranean to your balcony or patio. They’ll stay under 4-5 feet, making them ideal for tight spots!

The Japanese art of growing miniature versions of beautiful trees is perfect if you wish to fill your home with stunning greenery without compromising space. Let us look at the 14 Oldest Bonsai Trees in the World to inspire you.

If you have always wanted to know about the names of Zucchini in Different Languages, then this informative list has all the details!