Potpourri Magazine

Body, soul and gardening - the giving gardener
Whether it’s sharing knowledge or produce, there’s something about gardening that brings out the generosity in people.  And the good news is that this benefits the giver as much as...
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Q&A with Matthew Pottage, Wisley Curator
Tell us about journey into horticulture? I developed a love of gardening from my grandma, who had a passion for houseplants and gardening, and I was never happier than when...
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Garden trends - patchwork terraces
Large expanses of stone or porcelain paving or terracing have their place of course, but there’s a movement in garden design towards a softer combination of hard landscaping and planting. ...
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Top of the pots - window boxes for winter
Window boxes are an excellent way of adding some colour to the exterior of your house and now is a great time to give them a new lease of life...
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Veg and recipe - spicy white cabbage and chorizo hot pot
This comforting one pot is amazingly tasty, considering how quick, easy and inexpensive it is – perfect for a warming mid-week meal when you’re too tired to make anything more...
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Podcast - Roots, Wings and Other Things
In this fun and informal podcast, presenters Jez Rose and co-host Kathy Slack chat, mull and debate about gardening, nature and wildlife, often over a cup of tea or while...
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Technology in the garden - the Gripple system
The Gripple Plant Support System is a simple and strong system that creates highly tensioned wires to create a trellis on a fence or wall to support climbers like jasmine...
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Garden trends - immersive gardens
Designers are increasingly trying to create a sense of ‘immersion’ in a garden, where you feel completely secluded and enveloped in a space.  This can increase the sense of it...
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Technology in the garden - lawn aerators
If your lawn has seen a lot of activity over the summer months, it may have become compacted and need aerating.  This involves making holes in it to allow oxygen...
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Podcast - Growing Together with Claire and Steve
An informative and fun podcast with a varied mix of content from seasonal allotment advice and DIY projects to interviews and design advice. Passionate home gardener Claire Vennis is joined...
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Veg and recipe - squash lasagne
There is something very delicious about the combination of sweet earthy root vegetables with the creamy sauce and soft pasta - perfect comfort food as we move into autumn. Heat...
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Q&A with Helen Barbour, Picton Garden
Tell us about journey into horticulture? I was virtually born on the potting bench, January baby and the Aster propagation started in February; from then my childhood revolved around the...
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Top of the pots - planting for shade
If you have a dingy lightwell or dark side return, using pots with a variety of shade-loving plants is perfect for adding a bit of fresh green and colour to...
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Body, soul and gardening - get into the flow
How many times have you wandered out to the garden to do a spot of deadheading and not come back for hours.  And, however wet or hungry you are, it...
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Podcast: The Plotting Shed
This is a useful podcast for those interested in designing their own garden and are new to garden design.  Presenter and designer Rachel McCartain discusses how her aim is to...
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Technology in the garden - self-watering pots
Containers need a lot more watering than planted borders and can be a problem if you go away a lot or are busy.  Self-watering planters can be an excellent solution...
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Veg and recipe - green tomato salsa
Green tomatoes aren’t as sweet as red tomatoes, but they are safe to eat both raw in salads or sandwiches or cooked in sauces.  They have a tart taste and...
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Top of the pots - growing trees in containers
Growing trees in containers is a fantastic and impactful way of bringing height, blossom and autumn colour into spaces with no planting beds, such as patios.  They can also help...
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Q&A with Nick Stewart, Head Gardener, Lambeth Palace (2022)
What was your journey into horticulture? After completing my degree, my first proper horticultural experience was gained working in the historic Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona, which convinced me...
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Garden trends - the new cottage garden
Cottage gardens with their traditional mix of colourful flowers, fruit, vegetables and herbs have a nostalgic, romantic appeal.  This relaxed, wildlife-friendly style is having a resurgence of popularity, albeit with...
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Body, soul and gardening - colourful planting
Colours and their effect on our mood is subjective of course, but greens and cool colours in planting are often associated with well-being and relaxation.  Using reds, oranges and yellows,...
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