Amateur Gardening

Every week, Amateur Gardening is the first choice for both beginners and knowledgeable gardeners looking for advice and easy-to-follow practical features on growing flowers, trees, shrubs as well as fruit and vegetables. Be inspired, by our beautifully illustrated features covering plant and flower groups, both home grown and exotic, and take a sneak peek into some of the most beautiful private gardens around the country. Plus, every week we feature expert opinion and tips from some of gardening’s most influential exponents including Toby Buckland, Bob Flowerdew, Anne Swithinbank, Peter Seabrook and Jo Whittingham.

Editor Letter

New to you for 2022! • Marc Rosenberg picks this year’s best new plants

Sign up for Garden Festival • Initiative is set to put UK gardening on the global map

Getting ready for going away • Preparing the garden for holidays is important, says Ruth

Houseplants in summer • Some thrive in the garden, while others stay in, says Ruth

Seeds to bring the butterflies • Sow now to help our struggling pollinators, says Ruth

Strawberry fields • Now’s the time to prepare your strawberries so you can enjoy a bumper crop of delicious fruit next year, says Bob

Knowledge is power • Val looks at how local knowledge benefits wildlife

Focus on… Potager gardening • Fancy bringing a bit more creativity into your crop making? Lucy explains how to enhance your veg plot with companion planting and cottage garden diversity

GROW SUMPTUOUS FRUITS WITH THE CITRUS GROVE COLLECTION • Grow your own delicious citrus fruit right here in the UK with this easy-grow Orange, Lemon and Lime Tree Collection.

To be or knot to be • Persicaria are the most garden-worthy varieties of knotweed and bistort, and you can plant them now for a riot of colour in late summer and autumn, says Hazel Sillver

Summer cut flowers • One of the great joys of gardening is being able to cut flowers for the vase from your own garden. Graham Rice selects the best varieties for indoors

This week… Daylilies • Daylilies are easy to grow, sun-loving perennials with blooms that resemble true lilies

Ask JOHN NEGUS • John will reply personally to all your gardening questions

Quick questions & answers

It’s National Picnic Month • Have your hamper ready as we look at the world of picnics

AG’s Garden Wall

Word search

Crossword …just for fun!

How to grow grapes • Steve and Val Bradley explain that it’s easier to grow grapes in Britain than you may think

Planting against a shady wall

Your LETTERS TO WENDY

A garden for all reasons • A modern take on the cottage-garden style provides Mike and Geraldine Carter with a plot that’s productive and rich in colour, says Sue Bradley

Benefits of buying British • Keep the home barbecue fires burning, says Toby