Blog

11742 products, 807 articles, 680 blogs

Fuchsias – The Big Bloomers

At Thompson & Morgan, we have been selling plants for over 20 years now, including thousands, if not millions, of fuchsias! Our customers love a good fuchsia; from the small-flowered, table top style to the glorious trailing varieties. But, for now, we’re talking about the ‘big…

Gardening to be taught in schools

Gardening is set to be taught primary and secondary schools as part of the National Curriculum from September 2014, according to news reports.Gardening to be part of National CurriculumFor many years now campaigns have been running to get children into gardening and growing their own food –…

My jungle trek for the Alzheimer’s Society

On November 16th I leave the UK to trek 100km across the Costa Rican jungle for the Alzheimer’s Society.My NanaMy Nana, who gave me my crazy thirst for plants, gardening and being outdoors, sadly died a few years ago. Without her getting me hooked on plants, I wouldn’t be where I am…

Blueberry surprise

Hey, look what I grew! Ok, so it doesn’t look like much, but these are the first few blueberries from my blueberry plant. I had them on my cereal and although they weren’t huge, they were really sweet and all the more delicious because I grew them myself! And frankly, if I can grow…

Introducing Thompson & Morgan's little book of garden wisdom

Thompson & Morgan's little book of garden wisdom - ready to download now! Imagine having a team of gardening experts by your side, whenever you need a little help. Imagine having their accumulated knowledge and experience at your fingertips. Well, that's what we're bringing you with "Thompson…

It’s war out there Down on the Allotment!

Guest blogger Sarah Morris laments the sabotage of her broccoli plants…My precious little broccoli seedings are being marmalized by gangs of delinquent hoodie pigeons! They just fly away up into a nearby tree and laugh at me, only returning to have another munch as soon as my back is…

National Gardening Week 15th-21st April 2013

National Gardening Week starts next Monday and focuses on growing wildflowers…Support wildlife by growing wildflowersWildlife in gardens has been on the decline for the last 50 years, mostly because of a reduction of wildflowers in the countryside.The aim of this year’s National…

Heavenly Hydrangeas!

If there's one genus that I am utterly in love with then it's Hydrangeas! Every year as we head into 'Hydrangea season' I begin muttering eulogies to these beauties... 'What a stunner!' 'Isn't it gorgeous?' 'Wow, look at the flowers on that!!!' I don't really know when my love for Hydrangeas began.…

Young plants – taking the fuss out of gardening

Geranium ‘T&M’s Choice Mixed’Young plants – what’s all the fuss about?The world has changed so much over the last 20 years and we seem to have less and less leisure time. Thankfully, the gardening world has changed as well. And, now, customers looking for a…

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…

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…

Gardening gifts for christmas

Our Christmas gifts for gardeners range is new for 2014 to bring you some added inspiration to find that perfect Christmas gift. Christmas is the perfect time to buy your loved one something they need, would like or don’t know they need! As a gardener there is always something that can come…

Thompson & Morgan and RHS Garden Hyde Hall team up for a ÔÇÿFloral Fantasia' this summer

We're teaming up with RHS Garden Hyde Hall to create a fabulous garden for an event this summer, aptly named Floral Fantasia. We're transforming an area of the well-known RHS site near Chelmsford in Essex into a magnificent floral exhibition, showcasing many varieties of bedding plants. Over four…

Send in your potato recipes to win up to£25 in T&M vouchers!

Potato SaladAt the beginning of October we asked you to send in your favourite potato recipes for the chance to win some Thompson & Morgan vouchers. We’ve decided to extend the deadline to 11:59pm on Sunday 21st October, so you’ve got another week to send in your recipe. Please read…

T&M's highly-regarded horticulturalist celebrates 50 years in horticulture

Left: The Sun's Peter Seabrook (L) presents Colin Randel (R) with engraved garden fork and spade Right: Colin Randel, Thompson & Morgan's vegetable product manager and potato expert Photo credits: Thompson & Morgan Colin Randel, our product manager and vegetable expert here at Thompson…

This summer I had great success with my tomato plants!

In previous years I have grown my tomato plants in grow bags in my mum and dad’s conservatory. I have grown various varieties including; Gardener’s Delight, Golden Sunrise, Beef Steak, Mr Stripey Tigerella, Money Maker, Alicante and tumbling tomatoes.This year my mum and dad bought a…

How green is your pond?

Ponds are great way to attract wildlife to your garden. Image source: Svetlana Foote A pond will attract a variety of wildlife into the garden such as frogs, damselflies, dragonflies, water boatman and pond skaters. Many different types of birds will visit for a bath and a dip; I even had a…

Ideas to keep children occupied outside

I’ve been coming up with ideas to keep children occupied outside for the last ten years. And let’s be totally honest here – it has been a somewhat selfish act. The thing is I love gardening – it is both my hobby and profession – and I realised that I would have much…

Pumpkin carving competition results

This Halloween we set up a pumpkin carving competition on our Facebook, Twitter and Google+ pages and had some amazing entries. We offered 3 prizes consisting of £20, £10 and £5 in Thompson & Morgan vouchers and the winners have now been chosen.The quality of carvings was very impressive, and…

What’s in your garden?

What’s in your garden? It could be a real treasure trove!What’s in your garden? It could be a real treasure trove!A step in a garden in Devon is thought to be a moonstone, similar to the ones found in Sri Lankan temples from around 400BC-1000AD.This extremely rare find could fetch up to…

Advice for the new allotment holder

Advice for the new allotment holderThis short post is all about string. The string-thing is aimed at new allotment plot holders. As they, like me, may be daunted by the large slab of ground they have just taken on annual rent from the local council.Where to begin with plotting, sowing, portioning…

Homemade Raspberry Jam

Homemade raspberry jamThompson & MorganAn easy recipe for a novice jam maker. Another way to utilise your spare, tasty allotment crop. Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 15 minsCook Time 12 minsTotal Time 27 mins Calories 39 kcal Ingredients 1 lemon juice, freshly squeezed1 kg raspberries1 kg…

Top tips for healthy houseplants

Add some greenery to your home with houseplantsImage: Thejoyofplants. co. uk Have you always thought how nice it would be to liven up your home with a selection of stunning houseplants? If you don't know which plants to choose or how to keep them alive, we've got just the information you need to…

Father and son win prestigious Bicester in Bloom 2012 awards

Bicester in Bloom 2011 – Best Kept Back GardenWhen Thompson & Morgan customer Eugene Baston and his son Reuben first entered their back garden into the Bicester in Bloom 2011 awards, they had no idea that they might win a prize… but, to their surprise, they won the Gold Award for…

Snowdrops

What is it about snowdrops?I’ve always been in love with snowdrops. For as long as I can remember. It might have something to do with the fact that they are the harbinger of spring. The first signs that the sleeping garden is starting to wake again from its winter slumber. After several…

Growing vertically

Growing verticallyBoth of us were staring at the same wall mounted moss collage in a corner of the Grand Marquee at the Chelsea Flower Show. We got chatting and I found that my new acquaintance was no less than Sue Fisher, the author of ‘Growing up the Wall’.Moss wallGreen walls have…

Hydrangea Glam Rock – colour changes in different soils

Hydrangea ‘Glam Rock’ – colour changes in different soilsThe ever-changing colours of hydrangea ‘Glam Rock’One of our fastest selling shrubs ever, hydrangea ‘Glam Rock’ (sometimes also known by the tongue-twister name of ‘Schloss Wackerbarth’)…

Pumpkin on tour

Who would have thought it, yet another UK record breaking pumpkin! They just get better and better. This year we want to make sure as many people possible get the opportunity to see the 1,884 lbs beauty! So, what are we doing?Tomorrow morning, Thursday 22nd October, our pumpkin will be touring…

Steve’s Derbyshire Allotment

I can’t say I like anything at all about the dark drab dull winter months, I am very much a summer person and absolutely love the sunshine on my face while gardening, however having said that! it is now well over a month from the shortest day and each day has a little more light to it so I…

More Awards for T&M's Sunflower SunBelievableÔäó ÔÇÿBrown Eyed Girl'

Following its success at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May, our fantastic in-house-bred sunflower, SunBelievable™ 'Brown Eyed Girl' has won even more awards and accolades. Proving hugely popular in the US, the new sunflower was awarded the Retailers' Choice Award at the FARWEST Show in Portland,…

Long-service awards for dedicated Thompson & Morgan staff

Back row l to r: Anne Wooden, Erin Geaves, Michael Perry, Paul Hansord, John MayFront row l to r: Sue Adams, Chloe Farmer, Kim Parker, Marilyn KeenEmployees clock up 165 years – long-service awards for dedicated Thompson & Morgan staffA group of employees from Thompson & Morgan is…

Life of a young gardener – Jack Shilley

Hi There! My name is Jack Shilley; I’m 19 years old and i have an incredible passion for horticulture and growing your own. This is my first blog for Thompson & Morgan so I thought I’d take this opportunity to share with you my horticultural story – so that you get to know me…

Share your story on our blog

Write for Thompson & Morgan’s blogWe’d like to invite you to be part of our social community – the Thompson & Morgan gardening blog. We’re looking for bloggers to write posts about gardening-related topics.We will consider publishing well-written, informative…

Richard Mulcahy

Guest blogger Richard Mulcahy has a shady plot in Co. Antrim and writes here about his allotment and growing early rhubarb.Shady plotsIn the winter months, I get a chance to think and reflect upon my plot. Leaning on the allotment fence today, I thought back two years to when I first got the…

Gardening news – National Allotments Week, butterflies and nitrogen

In this week’s gardening news we’ll be talking about National Allotments Week, the effect of weather on butterflies and a new technique to enable plants to source nitrogen from the air.National Allotments Week 5th-11th AugustThe National Allotment Society’s yearly celebration of…

Hanging baskets – Getting it right!

Getting hanging baskets right doesn’t have to be a great effort. All too often I see such poor, forgotten hanging baskets outside people’s homes, which probably started off looking good, but then quickly went downhill, as people found them too much effort to care for. It doesn’t…

RedEye

Sign up for exclusive offers!