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A new season at my allotment

A new season in a new growing year. Spring, my favourite time of year.This will be my sixth season at my allotment in Southampton. It is eleven rods long, quite a big plot. I decided to section everything up with raised beds; it has no grass but wood chip paths. After the storms and wet weather the…

Expert garden upcycling tips

Waste not, want not - the frugal gardener's mantra. Image source: Ondacaracola Savvy gardeners are frugal gardeners for whom 'waste' is a dirty word. Here we present some top tips from growers with a passion for repurposing, reusing, and recycling - ways to save money and the environment while…

New to buying plants by mail order?

New to buying plants by mail order?Buddleja ‘Buzz’™ CollectionWhen I’m on my business travels, or even socializing at a BBQ, some people I speak to often don’t realise you can buy plants through the post. But for those in the know, it’s the only way to buy, as…

Beat the slugs

Protect your garden from these troublesome gastropods Image: Dmitri_ESTONIA_TALLINN/shutterstock Slugs are officially the gardener's No 1 enemy. Turn your back for a gardening moment, and these tough-skinned terrestrial molluscs will completely shred new shoots and tender lettuces. Given that they…

A year in the greenhouse – Amanda

Hello everyone, my name is Amanda and this is the first of what I hope will be one of my many blogs for Thompson & Morgan. I live in Pembrokeshire with my fiancé and our garden is approximately 116 meters square. It’s situated at the top of a hill and literally a five minute walk from the…

Top 5 daffodils ready for planting now

Daffodils growing in masses are a delightful sight and, with colours ranging from white, yellow and pink, there’s a daffodil for every garden. Plant them in pots or grow them in bold drifts naturalised in grass for maximum effect. Watch our video on how to grow bulbs for the best results. You…

Taking Geranium & Pelargonium Cuttings

Pelargonium cuttings are easy to take and don't require special equipment Image: 682A IA/Shutterstock Taking cuttings is an easy way to get more of your favourite pelargoniums. Try propagating one of your own special plants or ask a friend if you can take a cutting from theirs, if they have a…

Raspberry tartlets

Raspberry tartletsThompson & MorganAn impressive summer dessert that utilises your allotment fruit. Great for entertaining or as an additon to an afternoon tea selection Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 1 hr 30 minsCook Time 30 minsTotal Time 2 hrs Course Dessert Servings 8 Ingredients…

What to do in the garden in May?

Gardening is an annual task, or hobby to most, and requires attention all year round. For me this is perfect because I do not have to find something else to do that will keep me occupied whilst my hobby is ‘not in season’. Of course there are down falls to this, for example when I am…

Alison Levey

Guest blogger Alison Levey writes about her vegetable eating and growing experiences and the satisfaction of growing sweetcorn from seed…The joy of sweetcornI have to begin this post with a confession, there are far more vegetables I do not like than I actually do.  In terms of vegetables it…

How to grow hyacinths

Hyacinths are a popular spring bulb grown for their showy, colourful and highly fragrant flowers. Hyacinth bulbs can be planted in borders, containers and window boxes, looking most impressive when planted in groups. They naturally flower in the spring but they can also be forced indoors for a…

How to Grow Hibiscus

Hibiscus flowers are one of the most beautiful flowers you can find. And guess what? They can be easily grown in your own home or garden. Let's discuss what are the most popular types of Hibiscus and what you can do to properly care for them, whether you opt for a hardy garden variety or a tender…

World’s Most Scented Shrub – Daphine ‘Perfume Princess’

‘Locked in the tower’ for a decade, and almost forgotten, ‘Perfume Princess’ is set to knock its wicked step mother, Daphne odora, from the throne to reign as the world’s most scented shrub.Daphne ‘Perfume Princess’ has taken more than 10 years to develop…

The Ultimate Guide to Growing Calabrese Broccoli

Calabrese broccoli is known for being rich in nutrients and what can be better than home-grown broccoli that you can be proud of. Many people love it fresh, whereas some prefer to stir fry their broccoli before consuming this nutrient-rich delight. It is not as hard to grow broccoli as many people…

Courgette & double cheese quiche

Courgette & double cheese quicheThompson & MorganAdd a mass of flavour to your courgettes, in a quiche that is packed with cheese and wrapped in pastry. An excellent summer favourite. Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 25 minsCook Time 1 hrTotal Time 1 hr 25 mins Servings 8Calories 330 kcal…

2015 seed preview

We share a gardeners pride and joy in growing flowers and vegetables from seed. There is something slightly satisfying in watching the growth of something you planted and seeing the result after months, even years, of nurturing. Certain flowers and vegetables are only available to grow from seed so…

Taking inspiration from The Chelsea Flower Show

I have been to Chelsea before – I have always loved it and I’m sure I always will. Never before have I felt so excited about going as I did this year. The last time I went to Chelsea, it was the second day and I went with one of my best friends, a florist who runs a fantastic florist…

Bumper crops and fabulous flowers

What a fabulous year I’ve had with T&M plants, as you might be aware we open for the National Garden Scheme and by appointment anytime between May and September, which keeps us on our toes, meeting likewise gardeners and having time for tea and cake.A lot of the visitors have commented on…

Favourite garden memory of 2012

With excitement and well drawn plans of the new year, I began 2012 with aspirations of extending my vegetable growing knowledge and growing some good crops at home in my small garden. Still a beginner and only in my second year of anything garden related… ever, I wanted to have another go at…

Spread The Love

I'm really not a fan of the aforementioned festive season, but I've suddenly realised that I lurve January! The inclement weather gives me the perfect excuse to be bone idle guilt free. Mind you, some things can't wait, especially when you are up against the horticultural prowess of Diane, she of…

Summer 2018 - From Pembrokeshire with Love

Editor's Note : Many of our customers are familiar with Amanda, one of our bloggers who has been writing for us for some years now. Here's her latest post. Unfortunately, Amanda has some health and family issues which she quite rightly needs to concentrate on, and so she is going to be taking a…

Nine wild plant lovers on Instagram

These Instagrammers will inspire you to get back to your roots and forage delicious food from the wilderness. Image source - Shutterstock If you love country walks, fine food, and communing with nature, give foraging a try. Whether you're hunting for wild food or wildflowers, there's plenty of…

How to use hardy fuchsias in the garden

Hardy fuchsia 'Hawkshead' produces delicate white blossomsImage: Fuchsia 'Hawkshead' from Thompson & Morgan Hardy fuchsia plants are excellent all-rounders, showcasing a fabulous range of flower forms throughout the season. From delicate four-petalled blooms to blowsy giants, they're a great…

The quickest way to plant up a new garden

Are you planting up a new garden and don’t know where to start? I would recommend garden shrubs as a starting point. By selecting more compact varieties, and those which are easier to prune and tame, you can make life easier for yourself! A garden which only includes bedding plants is a blaze…

Fuchsia masterclass: best expert content

Standards like Fuchsia 'Angela' make a striking feature on doorsteps and patios. Image: NEW Fuchsia 'Angela' (Hardy) from Thompson & MorganIf you love fuchsias and want to fill your borders, hanging baskets, and patio containers with elegant flowers, we've scoured the internet to find the most…

Top 5 favourite hedges

Hedges are a great way to partition different areas of your gardenImage: Stephanie Braconnier/Shutterstock A hedge is an integral part of any garden, providing privacy and security while supplying wildlife with food and shelter too. A practical way to partition your outside space without the need…

Begonias masterclass: best expert content

Try Funky Pink' begonias for masses of large, unusually-shaped, double flowersImage: Begonia 'Funky Pink' from Thompson & MorganHere you'll find the best begonia-related articles, videos, and Instagram stories from across the web - in fact, everything you need to know to help you grow your own…

Dreaming of a green Christmas

Simplify the season of goodwillImage source: Galina Grebenyuk Christmas is the season of goodwill. A time for giving, and enjoying festivities with family. But all too often it becomes the season of 'stuff' - unwanted presents, plastic packaging and reams of wrapping paper - symptoms of the…

How to grow TomTato®

How to successfully grow your TomTato® plantsWe’ve had an amazing amount of interest in our TomTato® plants and news of the new innovation has spread throughout the world!TomTato® is available to buy from the Thompson & Morgan website, but only to customers in the UK and only as plants.…

T&M wins Grow Your Own magazine awards

We’re thrilled to have been voted the winner in FOUR categories of the Grow Your Own magazine awards for 2013. We’re particularly proud to have won Best Online Retailer. Knowing that we’re up against some pretty serious competition in the horticultural online marketplace, it…

February 2014 – an update on plants surviving the winter

A short update regarding a couple of plants which are still surviving the winter now in to February.Geranium ‘T&M’s Choice Mixed’ F1 Hybrid & Petunia ‘Easy Wave’I have 2 plants which are still alive outside now into February. One is a zonal geranium…

£80 billion spent on UK gardens

T&M customer trial member Doug Upson’s gardenWe’ve just read on the Telegraph website that UK gardeners have invested a massive £80 billion in their gardens, with the average household spending £1,790. But the article also said that many homeowners say that their gardens have…

My visit to Chelsea Flower Show

It’s the day after my visit to Chelsea Flower Show! My feet are still aching, and my mind is still spinning with new plants and fresh garden designs. The whole of the gardening world tends to be at Chelsea too, so it can be difficult to walk a few feet without seeing someone you know! I think…

Carole Patilla

Guest blogger Carole Patilla writes about her love of all things artichoke!Giants of the gardenStunning foliage“What’s that huge, gorgeous silver-leafed thing?” is one of the most frequently asked questions by visitors to my garden. The answer, surprisingly for many, is a globe…

Thompson & Morgan names exclusive tomato mix its ‘Veg of the Year’

Tomato Rainbow Blend – Vegetable of the Year 2013Tomato Rainbow Blend – a stunning blend of ‘baby plum’ tomatoes in yellow, orange and red – plus a rare and unusual pink.Tomatoes are Thompson & Morgan’s No. 1 selling vegetable and the company offers an…

Getting the best from your fuchsias – Thompson & Morgan growing secrets revealed

Fuchsias will put on a good show with minimal care throughout the season, but for the best displays it pays to learn a few simple tricks and tips.For a fantastic fuchsia display this summer follow our secrets for success:Growing conditions:Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil, with shelter…

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