Top tips, gardening news, Plant of the Week and a Trimetals raised planter competition
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SAVE: BULB planters always work best when you can get a bit of body strength behind them.
Marshalls Garden stocks a Kent & Stowe long-handled version for £34.99, while Thompson & Morgan’s is £19.99.
WIN! OUR pals at Robert Dyas are offering one lucky reader a Trimetals raised planter with storage worth £299.
For a chance to win, see thesun.co.uk/TRIMETALSCOMP or write to Jattvibe Gardening Trimetals competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP.
Include your name, age, email or phone. Entries close 11.59pm, 19 September 2026. UK residents 18+ only. T&Cs apply
PLANT OF THE WEEK! HESPERANTHA coccinea Pink Princess loves moist gardens.
Get 20 per cent off at thompson-Morgan.com/sunoffers. T&Cs apply.
VISIT: A FREE honey show will take place at Winterbourne House and Garden in Birmingham next weekend, with live beehive demonstrations in the botanical gardens.
REASONS TO DIG IN: GOOD news – gardeners can burn up to 500 calories an hour, according to experts.
GP Dominic Greenyer, Director of The Health Suite, said: “Most people think of it as a meditative and soothing activity, but it’s actually great for your metabolic health, too.
“It’s a full-body activity – your legs and core work to keep you steady as you bend and reach and your arms and back work every time you dig, rake or carry.”
THIS WEEK’S JOB: SOW cornflowers and calendulas now for early flowers next year. Plant kale and pak choi, net ponds to keep leaves out and divide hostas and asters.
WINNING DRAGONS DECIDED: I WAS honoured to be an RHS Trials judge at RHS Hyde Hall in Essex this summer.
And while we were judging the snapdragons, the public were voting as well.
I’ll reveal our winners at a later date, but the visitors voted:
FIRST PLACE – Antirrhinum majus Floral Showers Red and Yellow Bicolour (Floral Showers Series), pictured: Visitors loved the vibrant red and yellow flowers. Great for containers and window boxes.
SECOND – Antirrhinum Opus Appleblossom (Opus III/IV Series): Subtle, creamy colour and works well as a cut flower.
THIRD – Antirrhinum Opus Early Bronze (Opus III/IV Series): This had an unusual colour but traditional flower spikes – and kept upright despite the drought.
