Author: Gary

By The Wandering Plantsman As summer borders come to life with vivid colour and texture, few bedding plants carry the cheerful eccentricity of Mimulus, or monkey flower. With its wide-mouthed blooms and love of moist soil, this half-hardy annual has charmed British gardeners for over two centuries. Its path from wild mountain streams to Victorian…

By The Wandering Plantsman For many gardeners, coffee is the fuel that powers early mornings in the potting shed and long afternoons in the greenhouse. But beyond the cup, those spent coffee grounds can be a valuable ally in the garden—offering a sustainable, nutrient-rich amendment for soil health, composting, and even pest control. Here’s how…

The Wandering Plantsman Newsletter by Fen2u

The Wandering Plantsman Newsletter by Fen2u

A lot going on at the moment , gardening is overflowing lol. Lots of work to do . SEASON 2 of the podcast will begin this week. Topics NHS pharmaceuticals and how to reduce that big budget and of course a massive update on the state of affairs with Trump….lots to work on there. Well…

When you bite into a briny olive or drizzle golden olive oil over your salad, you’re tasting a piece of ancient history. The humble olive has been cultivated for over 6,000 years, making it one of the oldest—and most culturally significant—plants in the world. Its story is steeped in mythology, diplomacy, trade, religion, and, of…

Hey plant lovers! 🌱 Let’s have a little heart-to-heart about something that’s super important in the plant world but often gets side-eyed for sounding way too serious: Latin names. Now, I know what you’re thinking—“Why do I need to remember something like Monstera deliciosa when I can just say Swiss cheese plant?” I get it….