The musings of a plant fanatic

Monday 4 September, 2023

In this blog I’m going to have a go at describing a number of plants which I’ve grown in my time in Scotland’s west, mostly outsiders but occasionally insiders, for which I’ve had to go a little further than the local garden centre.

New “no dig” beds at Willowhill

Tuesday 8 August, 2023

Follow the progress of new "no-dig" beds at Willowhill in Fife.

Scotland's Gardens Scheme through the decades. An archive diary, by Volunteer Archivist, Alice Manning.

Friday 4 August, 2023

I’m Alice, a postgraduate student with the University of Dundee’s Archives and Records Management programme, and I’ve been cataloguing Scotland’s Garden Scheme’s archival records.

How to propagate from cuttings

Friday 30 September, 2022

In this short video tutorial Penny Wright demonstrates how to propagate from cuttings.

How To Save Seeds

Friday 30 September, 2022

In this short video tutorial Penny Wright demonstrates how to save and store seeds collected from plants growing in your garden.

Designing a garden in challenging conditions

Thursday 5 May, 2022

In this short series Caroline demonstrates how she makes the most of a difficult garden...

Rhubarb Recipe

Tuesday 1 February, 2022

Try this rhubarb recipe tried and tested by garden owners at 101 Greenbank Crescent in Edinburgh

Dealing with ash dieback at Humbie Dean

Monday 17 January, 2022

Frank Kirwan, the Garden Opener at Humbie Dean shares his recent experience with ash dieback in his garden in East Lothian.

Douneside House Head Chef Matt Price shares his recipe for Wark Farm hogget

Wednesday 15 December, 2021

Matt Price, the Head Chef at Douneside House, has generously provided a seasonal recipe for Wark Farm hogget, for supporters of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme to try.

Christmas Wreath Workshop

Wednesday 1 December, 2021

Follow along this free 30-minute video tutorial and make your own Christmas wreath. The workshop was kindly delivered by Penny Wright.

Garden Design Tips - Videos

Tuesday 16 February, 2021

In this video series, Edinburgh-based Garden Opener Jean Knox, shares her tips on how to design garden from scratch.

Growing snowdrops in Scotland - video

Monday 8 February, 2021

In this webinar, Helen Rushton is sharing her experience of growing snowdrops in East of Scotland.

Plants for Winter Colour

Friday 4 December, 2020

Garden Opener, Jean Knox, shares her favourite plants for winter interest.

How to Create a Small Wildlife Pond

Wednesday 27 May, 2020

Moira Coleman, volunteer from Angus & Dundee, shows how she and her husband created this fun wildlife pond from an old kitchen sink!

How to Split Waterlilies

Friday 15 May, 2020

Julia Young, from South Flisk (Fife), shows how to split waterlilies.

Notes from the Chairman's Garden: Euphorbia griffithii

Wednesday 6 May, 2020

Our Chairman, David Mitchell, shares his thoughts about his favourite plants blooming in his garden just now.

Notes from the Chairman's Garden: Muscari botyroides

Monday 20 April, 2020

Our Chairman, David Mitchell, shares his thoughts about his favourite plants blooming in his garden just now.

How to Photograph Your Garden

Wednesday 15 April, 2020

How to take photographs of your garden - tips for capturing the garden by Sheila Sim, a professional garden photographer.

How to Create a Straw Bale Garden

Wednesday 15 April, 2020

Straw bale gardening is a great way to grow vegetables, even in a small garden. Doesn't matter if you have poor soil or limited compost supply. It's also cheaper than making frames for raised beds and, most importantly - it works!

Notes from the Chairman's Garden: Magnolia stellata

Tuesday 7 April, 2020

Our Chairman, David Mitchell, shares his thoughts about one of his favourite plants blooming in his garden just now.