Canopies and awnings are used in gardens to give shade and shelter. They are usually affixed to the side of a building, almost as if they are an extension of the building itself. They are then used to provide protection for people who are sitting outside a property, meaning that it can be useful to give shelter from rain, protection from wind and shade from the sun. This is really useful if you are hoping to make your garden a more used part of your property, come rain or shine. (more…)

A gazebo adds a lovely little secluded area to your garden, where you can escape from the world. It can be positioned anywhere, and many people choose to place it in a private spot where they can enjoy being out of doors but being protected as well. If you enjoy DIY and like a challenge, you may want to consider building your own gazebo.

If you have quality wood and know how to construct garden furniture, building a gazebo shouldn’t be too difficult. Buy the wood from a quality supplier and consider ordering from a timber mill where you will be able to get the wood cut down to the appropriate size.

If, however, you are not as experienced in DIY, you may want to buy a gazebo kit. You can still put it together yourself, but it will require much less work. There will be instructions to follow, so you won’t have to design the whole structure yourself.

Cucumbers can be difficult to grow in the UK climate. They are a tropical plant and will grow best in warm, sunny conditions. However, they can be grown successfully, as long as you look after them properly. Here is a guide to growing cucumbers:

• They should never be planted in cold soil. Wait until the last frosts of the year have passed before planting. Warm the soil using a plastic covering if you are concerned.
• Decide between bush and vine. Bush cucumber plants will require less space but vine plants will usually produce more cucumbers.
• Cucumbers should be planted in soil with a pH level of 6-6.8, though a little more alkaline will probably be ok.
• Use a mulch when the cucumbers have been planted. Keep the soil even and moist, or the cucumbers might grow unevenly.
• If you grow vines, use a trellis. This keeps vines neat and tidy in your garden.

Basil is a popular herb to grow, as it can be used in lots of different dishes. Growing basil isn’t difficult but there are some specifics you need to bear in mind:

• Basil needs to be warm. Grow it indoors on a sunny windowsill or plant it outside, somewhere that gets at least 6 hours of sun a day.
• Plant basil in well-drained soil that is still moist. Add in some rich compost to help things along. You should water it whenever the soil feels a little dry – it will need watering quite regularly.
• Cut basil back to make it grow stronger and thicker. You will probably take clippings from it regularly to use in cooking – try to take a stem so that it is encouraged to grow outwards.

If your basil plant is failing, the most common problem is sunlight and temperature. Move it somewhere warmer to see it it thrives.

Poppies are wonderful flowers to grow for amateur and experienced gardeners. They look beautiful and they really don’t require a lot of work in order for them to thrive. They can be grown in borders or in planters and they will look beautiful if you grow a variety of colours together, like blue, white, red and orange.

Make sure you choose the right spot for your poppies – they are going to need to be in a sunny place while they begin to grow. Plant them in a shallow trench and cover seeds or roots over thinly. Water the soil if it is very dry but be careful not to over-water the soil, as poppies do not need the soil to be very moist.

Plant poppies in the summer months and wait for them to grow. It will not take long for the shoots to start sprouting up and for the flowers to develop.