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World’s first electricity-generating sunflower!

Thompson & Morgan’s horticultural innovators who won the Plant of the Year at the Chelsea Flower Show 2012 and introduced the amazing TomTato® have done it again!They have now developed a brand new strain of sunflower which generates its own electricity from the central stem.The…

Ten Wonderful Wildlife Blogs

Feel inspired - and grab your binoculars - for a chance to spot these elusive little creatures this summer Image:Shutterstock If you love nothing better than to 'stand and stare' in the hope of spotting some of the UK's phenomenal, but rather shy, wildlife, have we got a treat for you. Here's our…

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2014 runs from 20 – 24 May. You cannot deny that the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is the pinnacle of any horticultural calendar. Although it can divide public opinion with some of the garden designs, the event is a fantastic showcase for new plants, undiscovered plants…

Overwintering, indoors mainly

I've been off for a bit, from the garden that is. Don't suppose I'm the only one either. I mean - ugh - just look at it out there. The cold, grey months of Winter are here, still hanging around like overstaying party guests who can't take the hint. I've tried tapping my watch, breezily declaring…

Courgetti with tomatoes, grilled corn and herb dressing

Courgetti with tomatoes, grilled corn and herb dressingThompson & MorganA fresh take on a summer salad which makes the most of your allotment crops. Beautiful, Piccolo tomatoes, paired with sweetcorn and an innovative way to use up your masses of courgette by making 'courgetti'. Print Recipe…

Watering your garden when you’re on holiday

Summer is here and correct me if I’m wrong, but the weather is being quite well-behaved so far. The occasional storm is actually a positive for the plants, giving them a good soak. The rain will encourage leafy growth, meaning you get even bushier plants, with the potential for more blooms!…

Indoor plants are the perfect Christmas gifts

It is said that as you get older the excitement over Christmas slowly goes. Is it because we know that our purses will be seeing more action than ever? Or because we know we are going to get the same generic Christmas present? I know that each year I will get perfume, pyjamas, chocolates and a…

T&M's new relationship with the National Trust

We are delighted to announce an exciting new relationship with one of the largest conservation charities in Europe: the National Trust. With more than 200 gardens in the National Trust's care, there is a natural synergy between the Trust's nature ambitions and our products designed to encourage…

Suffolk train stations back in bloom

The T&M team, ActivLives' gardeners and station manager Jackie at Ipswich Train Station Colour has returned to Ipswich and Stowmarket train stations thanks to a partnership between train operator Abellio Greater Anglia, local seed and plant specialist Thompson & Morgan and Ipswich-based…

History of fuchsias

Charles Plumier (1646-1704), a French monk & botanist, discovered and named many plants in honour of fellow botanists during his 3 plant hunting trips to the Caribbean’s and South America. Some of his most famous discoveries are Begonia, Fuchsia, Lobelia and Magnolia. In 1695, during his…

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…

Top tips for Instagram-ready gardens

Get your garden grid-ready with these top tipsImage: leungchopan Instagram gardening is huge these days. This social media app is a great virtual place to make friends with like-minded growers, swap advice and grow an online audience as you grow your own. But if you're not sure how to get started,…

Sunshine and sowing seeds

I made the most of the sunshine on Sunday morning, busy sowing my tomato and chilli seeds, I love this time of year when it gets busy with seed selection and seed sowing. The up cycled table that my husband Ian repaired last year comes in handy for potting seeds (but it is the dog grooming table!)I…

Potato recipe competition – Posh Sauteed Potatoes

At the beginning of October we announced a competition to find the best potato recipe in celebration of National Potato Week. We’ve narrowed down our entries and here is the first in our shortlist…Posh Sauteed PotatoesPosh sauteed potatoesGary Robinson sent in this mouth-watering potato…

Gardening on a budget

In his first blog post for Thompson & Morgan, gardener Richard Laker writes about the challenges of gardening on a budget…My name is Richard Laker, I am (just) the better side of 30. I live on the North Essex coastline and this is the start of my second full year gardening at this house.I…

Rose ‘Sweet Spot® Calypso’

Rose ‘Sweet Spot® Calypso’ is not a Hybrid Tea, or floribunda, climber, or any other type you may be familiar with. It is so unique it is set to change the way roses are used in UK gardens.Coined the Decorator Rose, ‘Sweet Spot® Calypso’ has been developed to offer distinct…

Vegan raspberry mousse

Vegan Raspberry MousseThompson & MorganFruity, light and really perfect as a summer dessert. Bursting with fresh raspberrys and coconut. Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 15 minsTotal Time 15 mins Course Dessert Servings 4 Ingredients 1x2x3x80 ml aquafaba150 g coconut cream1 tsp lemon juice50 g…

Instant Gardening – new range of large, mature plants

There’s a certain sense of satisfaction and achievement that comes from raising our seed and plug plant varieties to maturity, but we know there are times when something a little more immediate is called for. If you lack the time or space to grow on our young plants, our new mature large…

Introducing Thompson & Morgan x Anya Hindmarch

The new Pont Street Garden Centre by Anya Hindmarch is a feast for the eyes, inside and out! Image: Anya Hindmarch In the wake of Chelsea Flower Show 2022, we are excited to share our collaboration with sustainability-focused luxury designer Anya Hindmarch and her new Pont Street Garden Centre in…

Gardening news – grass-free lawn, coronation meadows

Read this week’s snippets of recent gardening news stories here…Coronation meadowsCoronation Meadows InitiativeTo celebrate the 60th anniversary of the coronation, HRH Prince of Wales has set up the Coronation Meadows Initiative to create or restore 60 meadows throughout the UK, with…

Top soil care tips from the experts

Look after your soil and reap good quality produce. Image source: LedyX Take care of your soil as though your yield depends on it - because it does. To help you keep your garden hale and hearty, here we bring you some of our favourite gardening bloggers' tips for keeping your soil in top condition.…

DIY Dahlia Festival

It always intrigues me how different plants come in and out of fashion. Dahlias are one such plant that has ridden the roller coaster of popularity over the last century - but right now, they are definitely on the up! ®Sue Sanderson, Thompson & Morgan - Dahlias at Anglesey Abbey,…

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…

Chilli Pepper Weekend – 27th/28th September

There is no question that there has been a steep rise in numbers of those growing chilli peppers. As cooking programmes dominate our TV screens, chilli competitions are on the rise as growers compete to grow the hottest chilli pepper, the demand for chilli peppers is red-hot and in some cases the…

Strawberry Tarts

Strawberry TartsThompson & MorganEnjoy this simple, fresh fruit treat whislt reaping the rewards of your home grown crop. An excellent addition to any afternoon tea selection. Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 30 minsCook Time 25 minsTotal Time 55 mins Course Dessert Servings 4 tartsCalories…

5 things you need to know about tomatoes

Tomatoes come in all shapes, colours and sizesImage source: Tomato 'Gigantomo' F1 Hybrid from T&M Is there anything more satisfying than a perfectly ripe, homegrown tomato, freshly picked and warm from the sun? Tomato seeds are easy to grow and a couple of tomato plants will produce hundreds of…

Bramley Apple Pie Week

Bramley Apple Pie Week (14th-20th October)Bramley apples – perfect for pies, crumbles and apple sauceDespite the slow start to spring, fruit harvests have been surprisingly good this year. Those of you with a glut of fruit will be in the throes of jam and chutney making sessions and…

Tree lily® challenge for Thompson & Morgan staff

Staff at Thompson & Morgan have been set the challenge to grow the best tree lily®!The race is on to grow the best tree lily!Those of us who have signed up have been given 3 tree lily® bulbs to plant, nurture and photograph over the coming months.Tree lilies® are amazing plants to grow. A…

How to Plant up Hanging Baskets

Create an amazing display with little effort!Image: Petunia Surfinia' Collection from Thompson & Morgan Hanging baskets are an easy way to add interest, scent and colour without much effort! Simply choose your colour scheme, order some hanging basket plants and follow the three easy steps…

Fruit masterclass: best expert content

Try growing Raspberry 'Little Sweet Sister' in containers on the balcony for early crops of deliciously sweet fruitImage: Raspberry Little Sweet Sister' from Thompson & MorganDo you want to grow fresh fruit in your garden, allotment or balcony? We've brought together a wealth of expert videos…

Thompson & Morgan’s radio show

Listen to our experts’ gardening advice for April in Thompson & Morgan’s first ever radio show!Each month Colin Randel and Michael Perry will be on air to give you the best seasonal gardening advice.In the first broadcast, Andrew and Colin talk to Ken Crowther about the late growing…

Creamy courgette & bacon pasta

Creamy courgette & bacon pastaThompson & MorganA quick and creamy carbonara-style tagliatelle recipe that showcases your delicious home grown courgettes, contrasted with créme fra?«che and smokey pancetta. Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 10 minsCook Time 20 minsTotal Time 30 mins Course Main…

Hedges for Wildlife

Go native and plant the ultimate wildlife hotel! Winter is the perfect time for hedge planting, and if you seriously want to put conservation into action, planting a native hedge is an easy and effective way to help some of our most threatened UK species. For most of us, large trees and woodland…

Petunias – customer trial panel update

I love petunias but with last year’s awful weather I was reluctant to grow them this year – I did not want to have another year of soggy flowers.As usual when the T&M plants catalogue came in spring there were so many new and unusual petunias I just could not resist giving them…

What soil type do I have?

It is really important for any gardener to spend time finding out what soil type they have in their garden. There is no point investing in plants and trying to grow specific varieties that simply won’t grow in your soil conditions.  Finding out what soil type you have is actually quite easy,…

Lemons masterclass: best expert content

Lemons make an attractive patio plantImage: Mediterranean Fruit Collection from Thompson & Morgan Whether you want a twist of lemon in your gin and tonic or something to squeeze over your paella, planting a lemon tree is a great way to make sure you have an easy supply of zesty fruits within…

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