Garden Advice from Marcus Bergin

If someone asked me to recommend one gardening job that gives the greatest return for the time invested, I wouldn't hesitate for very long. I'd say mulching. It isn't particularly glamorous. There's no dramatic transformation overnight and it certainly doesn't produce the instant satisfaction of planting a new border full of flowers. Yet year after year, I see the difference it makes. Gardens that are mulched regularly seem healthier, easier to maintain and better able to cop

One of the most common questions I hear isn't about plants at all. It's about time. "How often should I be working on my borders?" "Do they need attention every week?" "Am I falling behind?" I understand the concern because gardens can sometimes make us feel guilty. We notice a few weeds, flowers beginning to fade or a shrub growing a little further than we'd planned, and suddenly it feels as though the whole garden is slipping away from us. The reality is rather different. H

One of the biggest changes I've noticed during my years as a gardener isn't the plants themselves. It's the people looking after them. Many of us have less free time than we once did. Families are busier, work often fills evenings and weekends, and gardens sometimes become another item on an already long list of jobs waiting to be done. Even those who love gardening often tell me they simply can't spend every weekend deadheading, watering, dividing and weeding. For a long tim

If there's one thing I've learnt after working in Gloucestershire for many years, it's that clay soil gets an unfair reputation. Mention heavy clay and many gardeners immediately start apologising for it. They tell me nothing grows, that it becomes rock hard during summer, waterlogged through winter and impossible to dig for much of the year. I've heard people describe it as the worst possible soil to garden on. I understand why. Clay certainly has its challenges. But I've al

A well-planted border can completely transform a garden. It brings colour, texture and seasonal interest while creating a home for birds, bees and other wildlife. Yet successful planting is about much more than choosing attractive flowers. The best borders are carefully planned, taking into account the soil, light, available space and how the garden will develop over time. Whether you're creating a new border or improving an existing one, understanding a few simple principles