Who says houseplants have to be just for looking at? I’ve been tucking edible veggies in among my houseplants and honestly — some are prettier than the decorative ones. You get lush green that brightens a room and you can snip it for dinner. Perfect if you don’t have an allotment, or if it’s too grim to go outside in Tonbridge in January. They also make brilliant cheap Christmas gifts. A pot of Bright Lights chard for £2 in compost? Way better than another scented candle. Her

I've been testing this messy mix on my fruit and veg in Tonbridge and it's been a game changer. You know I'm not a perfect gardener. I want cheap, natural stuff that actually works. This does. One of my melons had been nibbled - classic mice. I sprayed this around it and on the leaves - no more nibbling since. And my brassicas? Cabbage white butterflies were laying eggs all over them. Since I started spraying this, they've stayed away. HOW IT WORKS Garlic Water: Releases nat

We've all been there, haven't we? Rummaging in the shed or the back of a drawer, and you find a half-forgotten packet of seeds tucked away — and the date on it? Well and truly gone. "Best Before 2022" … "Packed for 2021" … that sort of thing. First thought: "Oh, they're out of date — bin 'em then." But hold on a minute — is that actually true? Are seeds like yoghurt, where they suddenly go off the second the date ticks over? Or is there a bit more to it? Spoiler: there absolu

The Messy Gardener Right, everyone thinks olive trees are for posh gardens with a pizza oven and a gardener called Julian. Mine? Both free. Both rescued. Both thriving in Tonbridge. — let me explain... — CHAPTER ONE FREE TREE NUMBER 1 – The Stepdaughter Special About 4 years ago, my stepdaughter was moving out. In her garden was this olive tree - a good 6 foot tall, gnarly, dunno how old it was, but a proper tree. I couldn't leave it. So me and my wife Patricia - she prefers