Julian Cassell's DIY Blog

Garden power tools seem to be taking up increasingly larger areas of the shelf space in DIY stores, and I’m not including lawnmowers here, which is a subject for another day. Now, we all love our gadgets, but I do wonder with this every growing array of motorised plastic, exactly what is a necessity, and what is literally going to gather dust in your shed. The following guide, by no means covers everything, but picks up on the main players in the garden power tool field. read more »

Growing peas is yet another great option for your garden. You do need to be a little careful about the time of year you sow, but in general, peas are very straightforward to plant and look after. A good idea, in small gardens, is to sow peas in ground that can afterwards be used for salad, leeks, or cabbage. Also be aware that peas need plenty of water to thrive. read more »

Sufficient garden storage space is an important component of any garden, and there are a vast array of options out there. Below, I’ve assembled some good ideas in this area, that cater for both large and small gardens. As always, set yourself a budget, as it is easy to get carried away with all sorts of racks and storage units that suppliers and advertisers may suggest as “essential” for all gardeners. So, take some time to find out what garden storage options suit your particular needs. read more »

Growing strawberries is a project that any gardener should try, as simply put, they are very easy to grow. Yes, you can grow from seed, but growing from plants, as shown below, makes the whole process even easier. To ensure you have sufficient plants to pick enough for the needs of a family of four over the summer, plant around one hundred plants in a strawberry bed. Pay close attention to any instructions provided with your plants as different strawberry varieties will certainly have variations in planting, and growing, advice. read more »

Growing your own vegetables is a good idea on so many levels. It’s convenient, you can be organic, you can grow far more varieties than you can buy in the shops, you can experiment with unusual varieties, it’s fun, and of course, it is a great money-saving option to grow vegetables yourself. All you need is an open well-drained plot, and even if that’s not an option, vegetables can be grown in containers, grow bags, and even window boxes. Therefore, large or small scale, it is nearly always possible to grow some of your own vegetables at home. read more »