The Gardener's LogAbout this blog
Welcome to The Gardener's Log. This is a UK gardening blog written from a practical, working landscaper's point of view.
Why this blog exists
Day to day, I cut lawns and hedges, clear overgrown gardens, take out weeds, tidy up small trees, fit fences and jet wash patios and driveways across Lancashire and South Cumbria. The same questions come up again and again from homeowners: when should I do this job, what is the right way to do it, and what usually goes wrong? Plenty of garden advice online is vague or written to sell something. This blog is my attempt to write down the straightforward answers, including the reasons behind them.
What you will find here
- Seasonal jobs, so you know what is worth doing now and what can wait.
- Lawn, hedge, weed and small-tree care, with the practical detail that makes a job go well.
- Planting guides for UK gardens, including northern and exposed sites, where the weather is less forgiving than some books assume.
- Hard landscaping basics such as jet washing patios and choosing fences.
- Tool and equipment care, written around how things are really used and looked after.
How I write
I write from experience of UK conditions and I try to say where advice depends on your soil, your region or your situation. I do not invent figures or quote studies I have not read. Where there is a legal point, such as bird nesting and hedges, tree protection or boundaries, I explain the general position and point you to the official source, because the details can change and I am not a solicitor. Where something is a judgement call, I say so.
If you spot a mistake, please get in touch and I will correct it.
A note on money
This blog may in future include affiliate links, for example to products on Amazon. If that happens it will be clearly disclosed, and it will never change my advice. You can read the full position on the affiliate disclosure page. At the time of writing no affiliate links are live.
Safety first
Garden work involves sharp tools, ladders, power equipment and sometimes heavy lifting. Nothing here replaces the manufacturer's instructions or proper training. If a job involves working at height, large trees, chainsaws or anything near buildings or power lines, it is a job for a trained professional.