Potpourri Magazine

If you love gardening, our magazine will inspire you. It's a real magazine, not just a newsletter, and it's packed full of interesting articles written by professional gardening journalists. It's totally free and arrives once a month by email. Here is a selection of recent articles.

Veg and recipe - Asian shredded courgette and noodle salad

Shredded courgettes work well in salads.  And Asian salads with their spicy, tangy flavours and bright colours are fun and refreshing for the summer. If you can shred or spiralise...
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Podcast - Dear Gardener

In his new podcast, Ben Dark discusses plants, nature and gardening, either on walks in nature, in situ in gardens and sometimes talking to horticultural guests. Ben invites guests from...
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Technology in the garden - solar water features

A bubbling water feature glistening in the sun on a hot summer’s day adds a cooling and calming dimension to a garden.  And with technological advancements, these can now be...
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Q&A with John Anderson, Keeper of the Gardens of the Windsor Estate

Tell us about your career journey so far I was a student at Kew from 1988-1991, then went on to be Head Gardener at Mount Usher Gardens (Ireland), Inverewe Gardens...
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Body, soul and gardening - rain gardens

As well as drought, experts believe the changing climate is causing more periods of heavy rain, which can lead to flooding.  But there are beautiful and sustainable ways to deal...
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Garden trends - all about soil

One of the big trends in garden design at the moment is about how we look after and adapt soil conditions to suit different plants, mimicking natural habits and using deep mulches...
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Veg and recipe - asparagus and Parma ham

This is a classic way of serving asparagus, and for good reason.  The salty ham and rustic soft sweet asparagus are a match made in heaven.  It can be served...
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Top of the pots - planting design for a large trough

As well as clustering smaller pots, you might have the space such as a roof terrace or side return that merits a large trough or planter where you can indulge...
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Podcast - Why Women Grow

This podcast isn’t about gardening as much as an insight into the lives of interesting women of note from designers to chefs, and the impact gardening has had on them. ...
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Technology in the garden - outdoor TVs

If you’ve ever fancied dragging your TV outdoors to watch a bit of sport or a film on a warm summer’s evening surrounding by the scents and sounds of nature,...
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Top of the pots - attractive edibles

With temperatures rising, this is a good time for growing vegetables in containers.  As well as being ideal for those with limited space, having an informal cluster of containers with...
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Body,soul and gardening - pleasure from your front garden

As well as increasing kerb appeal and improving the environment, having an abundantly planted front garden has a range of health and well-being benefits, scientists believe.  In fact, RHS research...
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Q&A with Kate Burtonwood, HG Trinity College, Oxford

Tell us about what led you into horticulture and your career journey? I’m a career changer and spent years in an office wondering why I didn’t enjoy my job, despite...
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Garden trends- stepping stones

A solid path, or stepping stones in gravel or grass, is making way for something more interesting - stepping stones created with gorgeous ground cover plants.  This softens the look of a path...
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Veg and recipe - cauliflower and rice curry

Cauliflower is perfect for curries as it absorbs the flavours.  Using it in a biryani makes for a tasty combination of delicate fluffy rice and flavoursome tender cauliflower, all in...
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Podcast - "Talking Gardens" from Gardens Illustrated

Gardens Illustrated has launched a new podcast in which editor Stephanie Mahon invites prominent names in garden design to describe their fantasy garden, as well as discussing the people and...
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Technology in the garden - Hortiwool

Hortiwool’s fleece pads, made from 100% wool, have been used for sustainable packing for food insulation for many years, providing an eco-alternative to polystyrene.  But the natural fibres of this...
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Body, soul. and gardening - growing a cutting garden

Growing cut flowers is rising in popularity.  Nurturing, picking and arranging your pretty home-grown blooms is great for the soul.  It’s also cheaper and more eco-friendly than buying flowers that...
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Garden trends - sculpture in garden design

As we continue to invest more in our gardens, sculpture is increasingly being used to add personality, interest, a focal point or a touch of glamour to outdoor spaces. One...
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Top of the pots - fruit trees in containers

Growing fruit trees in containers is ideal for smaller gardens and patios, adding spring blossom and fruit as well as hight and autumn colour. It’s important to invest in a...
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Q&A with Martin Duncan, Head Gardener, Arundel Castle

Tell us about your journey into horticulture/transferable skills.  I was brought up in Zimbabwe and spent a lot of my childhood outside.  My parents loved gardening and had a wonderful...
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