Greenhouse & Growing

Choose suitable onion sets, give each bulb space and manage watering as plants mature. Includes container options and drying onions for storage.

Fan-trained and espalier trees both save space, but differ in structure and suitability. Fans are ideal for stone fruits, while espaliers provide a formal tiered look for apples and pears.

Mature garden compost is dark brown, crumbly and soil-like, with a smell like damp woodland. Check the centre of the heap, sieve out any uncomposted bits, and return them to the bin. Readiness takes six months to two years depending on conditions.

Remove covers as ordinary seedlings emerge. Manage heat and moisture before germination, and distinguish seedling aftercare from the humid conditions needed by rooting cuttings.

For a new or raised garden bed, topsoil is the main purchase: it forms the stable, mineral base that won’t slump. Compost is a soil improver to mix in, not a substitute for bulk soil. Here’s how to choose and combine both.

Tracking minimum and maximum temperatures is vital for greenhouse success. This guide explains how to use max-min thermometers to protect tender plants from frost and prevent summer heat stress through accurate data.