Preparing the lawn for winter — autumn tasks step by step
How to prepare your lawn for winter: final mowing, dethatching, autumn potassium fertilisation, overseeding bare patches and leaf removal — so it comes back thick and healthy in spring.
Knowledge
Gardening guides
Practical articles on plant care — each linked to specific species from our database.
Giant hogweed — how to recognise it, what to do after skin contact, how to control it
Two dangerous invasive hogweed species in Poland, Germany and Switzerland. How to recognise them, tell them apart from similar native umbellifers, what to do after contact with the sap, and how to legally control them in the garden.
Dividing and moving perennials in late summer — when, which, and how to do it right
Late summer and early autumn are the best time to divide perennials: daylilies, hostas, phlox, coneflowers, asters and bergenias. Which species to divide now, which are better left alone in autumn, and how to do it without losing next year's bloom.
Vegetables for autumn and winter harvest — what to sow in August and September
The second wave of vegetables: what to sow in August and September for an autumn and winter harvest. Fast lettuces and radishes, frost-hardy corn salad and kale, Chinese cabbage and Swiss chard — with timing and frost protection.
Naturalistic garden — biodiversity, native plants and less work
How to create an insect- and bird-friendly garden: nectar plants flowering across the whole season, less mowing, giving up peat and synthetic fertilisers, and shelter for wildlife. A practical guide.
Drought-tolerant garden — preparing your garden for heat and water scarcity
How to design a garden that survives hot, dry summers: less lawn, gravel gardens, deep-rooted perennials, mulching and smart watering. Proven species and practical rules.
Fertilizing Plants — When, With What, and How Not to Overfeed
A practical guide to fertilizing: what NPK means, mineral vs. organic fertilizers, when to feed, how to dose, and how to spot overfeeding and deficiency.
Soil pH — acidic, neutral or alkaline soil in the garden
The soil pH scale, how to test it with strips, a meter or a lab, acid-loving versus lime-tolerant plants, and how to acidify or lime your garden soil.
Repotting houseplants — when and how, step by step
When should you repot a houseplant and how do you do it right? The signs, how much bigger the pot, the right potting mix, the technique step by step and the care afterwards.
Preparing Your Garden for Winter — Covering and Protecting Plants
How to prepare your garden for winter step by step: autumn clean-up, mulching, watering conifers, winter protection for roses, hydrangeas and potted plants — without the rot.
Companion planting — what research shows and what is only tradition
Does companion planting really work? Which plant pairings are backed by research and which are gardening folklore — and why we label the level of evidence.
USDA Hardiness Zones — how to find your zone
What USDA hardiness zones are, how to find yours and choose plants for it. Simple rule: a plant survives winter if your zone is equal to or warmer than its minimum.
Plant diseases — identifying them from the symptoms
White coating, brown spots, wilting despite watering, rotting fruit — how to identify plant diseases from the symptoms, what is curable and what must be removed.
Garden pests — how to identify and control them
Identify garden pests from the damage on leaves, fruit and roots — a symptom table, 16 species profiled and control methods from mechanical to chemical.
Fruit shrubs for the garden — raspberry, currant, aronia and blueberry
Which fruit shrubs are worth growing in your own garden? Raspberry, blackcurrant, aronia and highbush blueberry — requirements, soil and common mistakes.
Hedges — which plants to choose and how to plant them
Deciduous or evergreen hedge? Proven species for formal and informal hedges, planting spacing and pruning rules — a practical step-by-step guide.
Companion planting for vegetables — what to grow together, and what to avoid
Which vegetables make good neighbours, and which harm each other? Proven and scientifically backed vegetable pairings — with the reasoning behind every recommendation.
Climbers for balconies, arbours and pergolas — the best climbing plants
Which climbing plant should you choose for a balcony, arbour or pergola? Annual and perennial species, self-clinging or support-needing — a practical overview with tips.
Toxic plants in the garden — what to watch for with children and pets
Which popular garden plants are toxic to people, dogs and cats? Yew, larkspur, horse chestnut and others — the real level of risk and how to make your garden safer.
How to Get Rid of Aphids and Spider Mites — Home and Natural Methods
Aphids and spider mites on your plants? Learn how to identify them and control them effectively with natural methods — on houseplants, in the garden and on the balcony.
When and How to Prune Hydrangeas — Bigleaf and Panicle
When should you prune hydrangeas so they flower? Learn the key difference between bigleaf and panicle hydrangeas — pruning at the wrong time is the most common reason for no flowers.
Flowers and Plants for a North-Facing Balcony — What to Plant in the Shade
A north-facing balcony with no sun? Proven plants and flowers that bloom and grow well in shade — for boxes, pots and hanging baskets on a shaded balcony.
Orchid Care — and How to Get It to Rebloom, Step by Step
How to care for a Phalaenopsis orchid: watering, placement, and what to do after flowering so it blooms again. A practical guide for beginners.
How to water houseplants — the complete guide to avoiding overwatering
How much and how often should you water houseplants? Practical rules for recognising overwatering and drying out, and adjusting watering to the species and season.
Plants for Bees — What to Plant for Pollinators in the Garden and on the Balcony
The best nectar-rich plants for bees and butterflies. What to plant to support pollinators from spring to autumn — proven species for the garden, balcony and flower bed.
Plants for a Dark Apartment — 6 Species That Survive in Shade
Which houseplants grow in an apartment without sun? Proven species for dark rooms and north-facing apartments — requirements, care and the most common mistakes.