Garden News

Nature Boat Journey

The East London Garden Society joined Save The Lea Marshes for the festival of the River Lea with a boat trip, showing the value of many groups' efforts in protecting east London's nature. 

May 2025

Growing Cherries

Of all tree fruits it is the cherry that stands head and shoulders above the rest for sheer juicy indulgence and lip-staining goodness. 

April 2025

Edible Flowers

Edible flowers have been cherished for centuries across various cultures, enhancing not only the appearance but also the flavour and aesthetic value of food.

January 2025

Hackney Buzzline

An innovative initiative aimed at improving pollinator habitats, and engaging community-based bodies and residents in planting for bees and butterflies.

November 2024

Tree Climate Surprise

Tree bark surfaces play an important role in removing methane gas from the atmosphere due to microbes living within the bark.

July 2024

Storing Potatoes

To most, it would seem as if storing certain veggies in a cool place, such as the garage, back porch or even the refrigerator, would be a good idea. It might keep them cooler and help them last longer, right?

May 2024

Glyphosate Concerns

Mounting evidence reveals that Roundup leads to health complications and is detrimental to essential pollinators, including honey bees. As a gardener, you need to be aware of this harmful chemical.

August 2024

Growing Asparagus

With proper management, asparagus will stay productive for at least ten years, or maybe much longer depending on the satisfaction level of the plants.

April 2024

Food Waste Recycling

Food waste recycling, or composting food waste, has advanced since ‘The Pig Swill’ man.

January 2022

Rachal Carson

A n American writer who convinced society that humans must be part of nature rather than separate from it.

April 2020

Plants Cleaning Air

We spend most of our free time in our homes, so having high-quality air and clean living space is a must.

January 2025

Overwintering Plants

Many of the best plants for overwintering in a garage or cellar have bulbous roots designed to store nutrients and moisture through a dormant period.

November 2020

The London Highline

On 29 October 2023 we walked what is to be The London Highline.

November 2023

New Street Parks for London

London has half the green space it needs for a population its size and lack of green space is a particular problem in many parts of inner suburbs.

September 2022

Humble Hedgerows

Your humble hedgerow can save the planet with a bit of help from you.

October 2023

Ancient Trees

Tree preservation orders (TPOs) should be made national.

March 2020

The Great Eastern Parks Route

The Shoreditch Forest Garden has transformed into The Great Eastern Parks Route.

March 2020

Woodberry Down

A group of enthusiasts walk through the wetlands of east London Woodberry Down and The Walthamstow Wetlands.

June 2023

Benefits of Clover

Have you heard of clover lawns? Eight reasons to plant one.

December 2024

Mulberry Tree Saved

A legal challenge against Tower Hamlets Council has saved this tree, which is at least 200 years old.

July 2019

Mystery Seeds from China

Lots of people are receiving these seeds. Not just in England, but all over the world.

August 2020

Canning Tomatoes

Canning green tomatoes for frying allows this summertime treat to be enjoyed year round.

August 2020

Cavell Street Gardens

Improvements to Cavell Street Gardens but at what cost?

May 2021

Natural Swimming Ponds

Transforming an East London industrial site into community-owned natural swimming ponds and a biodiverse park.

February 2023

Council Destroys Bat Boxes

London Borough of Tower Hamlets acted illegally by destroying bat boxes at The Limehouse Triangle.

February 2021

Area Transformed

A major weed clearance on Cambridge Crescent to give the plants more room and light.

July 2019

Edible White Lupin

In the UK lupins are a garden flower. In the past, they were grown for cattle.

August 2022

What is a Food Forest?

Forests are ecosystems with a diversity of plants, animals, and fungi, designed by nature to provide a perfect balance.

May 2019

Monocropping Problems

In the 1940s, the Green Revolution changed agricultural practices.

May 2019

Greenways Map

Walking is good for our physical and mental wellbeing. It reduces risk of heart disease and strokes and reduces anxiety and isolation.

July 2021

Hackney’s Streets Reimagination

Hackney’s streets to be redesigned as the Council attempts to combat the climate emergency and address urban air quality.

February 2020

Helping the Local Environment

Having a say over the environment could bring the level of air pollution down.

September 2020

The Zoo Beneath Our Feet

The gardener has a long and touchy‐feely relationship with the soil. As every good cultivator knows, you assess the earth by holding it.

May 2019

Importance of Herbs

We are going to need this herbal knowledge in the future.

September 2020

Indigenous Forest Gardens Active

Gardens persist for 150 years after those who planted them have gone.

May 2021

The Limehouse Triangle Saga

Four-year battle for residents living near The Limehouse Triangle.

October 2020

Battersea Roof Gardens

London’s highest vegetable patch, a herb garden and yoga lawn are among features expected.

June 2019

Loss of Green Field Sites

Green urban land owned by a local authority is now at risk of being used for social housing.

June 2020

Changes in Hackney

A huge transformation has taken place at Mabley Green, with the flat landscape having been radically altered to create a rich parkland.

October 2019

Pesticide-free Council

The initial step was to find out Tower Hamlets’ pesticide usage in the borough.

October 2019

Polyculture Lawns

Not only does this kind of lawn potentially supply food, it also eliminates the need for fertilizers and herbicides.

June 2019

Protected Tree List for London

A protected tree is only as good as the local authority wishes it to be.

Benefits of Flowers

Research shows that flowers offer all sorts of benefits.

September 2024

Protection for Rivers and Lakes at Risk

Research shows that flowers offer all sorts of benefits.

August 2020

Strange Alpine Plant Growing In Patagonia

A strange plant is growing in the craggy peaks of the Andes from Chile into Argentina.

May 2019

Suffragette Wilkinson

Suffragette Fanny Wilkinson was the UK’s first female landscape gardener designed Meath Gardens.

September 2021

Pruning - Think Twice

Tree cutter with zero compassion for anything living, brings young birds to their deaths.

July 2021

Tomato & Potato Blight

Tomato blight, and the related potato blight, can destroy crops in days,

August 2021

Trees and Technology

Trees and Technology

August 2021

Save the Trees at Highbury Corner

Developer wants to cut down seven mature and healthy trees. Local residents are objecting.

March 2020

Trees Felled by Council

London Borough of Tower Hamlets declared climate emergency whilst felling trees.

March 2020

Trees Help Cities Thrive

Trees have a fundamental place in many big cities around the world.

July 2020

Unusual Vegetables To Grow

What is an exotic or unusual vegetable and how to grow in a UK garden.

November 2020

Local Food Growing

Hackney growers are calling for more support from the Town Hall for local food planting projects.

June 2020

Weavers Fields

Weavers Fields’ residents consider there is a greater need to safeguard its protection.

March 2020

Weed Tea

How to make a fertilizer from your garden weeds.

November 2020

We Should Plant More Trees

Five reasons why we should plant more trees.

August 2020

What’s Killing the Bees?

Honey bee colonies experiencing widespread die-offs. Why?

June 2020

Wilting Tomato Plants

Why tomato plants wilt and solutions.

January 2021

Sowing Through Winter

Late summer is like a second spring for sowing delicious vegetables, herbs and salads.

August 2022