Potpourri Magazine

This is a useful podcast for those interested in designing their own garden and are new to garden design.  Presenter and designer Rachel McCartain discusses how her aim is to...
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Containers need a lot more watering than planted borders and can be a problem if you go away a lot or are busy.  Self-watering planters can be an excellent solution...
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Green tomatoes aren’t as sweet as red tomatoes, but they are safe to eat both raw in salads or sandwiches or cooked in sauces.  They have a tart taste and...
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Growing trees in containers is a fantastic and impactful way of bringing height, blossom and autumn colour into spaces with no planting beds, such as patios.  They can also help...
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What was your journey into horticulture? After completing my degree, my first proper horticultural experience was gained working in the historic Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona, which convinced me...
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Cottage gardens with their traditional mix of colourful flowers, fruit, vegetables and herbs have a nostalgic, romantic appeal.  This relaxed, wildlife-friendly style is having a resurgence of popularity, albeit with...
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Colours and their effect on our mood is subjective of course, but greens and cool colours in planting are often associated with well-being and relaxation.  Using reds, oranges and yellows,...
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Designers are predicting a fashion for darker, plummy-coloured flowers and foliage with accents of brighter colours in planting design.  This can add depth, drama and a touch of glamour to...
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Holidays are supposed to be relaxing, so you don’t want to be worrying about how your garden will cope while you’re away.  The most obvious solution is to enlist a...
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High summer is when tall perennials and soft wafty grasses are really coming into their own.  They add lovely texture, naturalism  and movement to a container display – ideal if...
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We visited this garden on a hot day last year and the mixture of woodland planting, dappled light, water and beautifully placed sculptures creates the most wonderfully soothing environment. The original...
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If you’re bored of steaming your runner beans, why not try something a bit more exciting by making tasty samosas?  Runners go well with Indian spices, and combined with fluffy...
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Garden designer friends Jo Thompson and Nina Baxter talk about gardening and much more besides in this enjoyable podcast. In a recent episode they discuss this year’s Chelsea Flower Show...
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Sails make a great alternative to umbrellas, creating a cool retreat in hotter weather without an intrusive pole.  They also have a graceful, contemporary feel. Most will stand up well...
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Q&A with Clive Nichols, garden photographer Tell us about your route into garden photography? After studying human geography at Reading University I got a job as a head chef of...
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Encouraging your children to garden or simply relax and have fun in your outdoor space is excellent for their wellbeing.  With one in eight young people suffering with a mental...
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Plants usually described as weeds are having their moment.  Show gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show were full of brambles, dandelions and thistles.  Instead of complaining about them, horticultural experts...
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If you’re thinking of greening up your terrace or balcony with beautiful planting, lightweight pots and compost will ease your mind by helping to combat challenges, such as weight restrictions....
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Shredded courgettes work well in salads.  And Asian salads with their spicy, tangy flavours and bright colours are fun and refreshing for the summer. If you can shred or spiralise...
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In his new podcast, Ben Dark discusses plants, nature and gardening, either on walks in nature, in situ in gardens and sometimes talking to horticultural guests. Ben invites guests from...
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A bubbling water feature glistening in the sun on a hot summer’s day adds a cooling and calming dimension to a garden.  And with technological advancements, these can now be...
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