How to make

Love the satisfaction of doing it yourself? Our How to make category is packed with practical, step-by-step projects for hobby gardeners and animal keepers who want to build, mix, repair, and improve things around the plot, greenhouse, coop, stable, or smallholding. You’ll find clear instructions for making everyday essentials like compost bins, raised beds, cold frames, trellises, and simple irrigation, plus budget-friendly upgrades such as worm farms, leaf-mould cages, seed-starting setups, and DIY garden storage. We also cover home-prepared feeds and enrichments, safe bedding options, and handy tools you can make or adapt for routine care. Each guide focuses on materials you can actually source, realistic timings, common mistakes to avoid, and safety tips for working with wood, wire, plastics, and animal-safe finishes. Expect advice on sizing projects to your space, climate, and livestock needs, along with ideas for using reclaimed materials responsibly. Whether you’re learning how to make your first batch of compost tea, a predator-resistant run, or a simple rainwater harvesting system, these how-to articles help you get reliable results, save money, and gain confidence with every build.

How to Shape Boxwood into a Perfect Ball with Minimal Effort

A neatly clipped boxwood ball brings structure and elegance to entrances, courtyards, and formal front gardens. With young plants and light, regular trimming, you can achieve a dense sphere without hard pruning.

5 min read

Stop Throwing Away Grass Clippings and Smart Ways to Return Them to the Soil for Better Harvests

Grass clippings are packed with nitrogen and other nutrients you’ve already paid for in time and care. Use them as compost, mulch, lawn feed or even liquid fertiliser to cut waste and boost soil health.

5 min read

Where to Site a Garden Compost Heap and How to Choose a Bin That Lasts for Years

Composting turns garden and plant-based kitchen waste into rich organic matter that improves soil structure and fertility. Learn where to place your compost bin, how to balance materials, and how to troubleshoot common problems.

5 min read

No Garden of Your Own but Want to Grow Plants Community Gardening Will Win You Over

A community garden gives you space to grow vegetables, herbs, fruit, and flowers even if you live in a flat. Done well, it also becomes a welcoming neighbourhood hub that strengthens relationships and improves the local microclimate.

5 min read

Record Blueberry Crops Start in May with the Right Care and Feeding

May is the make-or-break month for highbush blueberries. Get pH, watering, fast-acting feed, pollination and frost protection right now for bigger, sweeter berries in summer.

5 min read

Why You Shouldn’t Cut Tulips Back After Blooming and When to Lift the Bulbs

What you do with tulips after they finish flowering largely determines next spring’s display. Leave the foliage to ripen the bulbs, then lift, dry and store them at the right time for stronger blooms next season.

5 min read