Plant garlic at the right moment, not the first cold morning.
Timing makes stronger bulbs, healthier plants and fewer problems next spring.
Right now in the garden — September
Lift and cure onions and shallots
Give them two dry weeks under cover before moving them into cool storage.
Sow spinach and mâche for winter
Both germinate in cool soil and will sit under cover until early spring.
Plant daffodils and alliums
Set each bulb three times its own height, with the pointed end facing up.
Start with three good decisions.
New to gardening? These foundations will set you up for success, no matter where you live.
Practical guides for the week ahead.
How to Harvest Basil Without Killing the Plant
Cut basil just above a pair of leaves and it branches; cut below one and it dies back. The full method, how to stop it flowering, and why the fridge ruins it.
Harvest lettuce for weeks, not days
Pick the outer leaves, protect the crown, and keep plants cool for a longer, more generous harvest.
Carrots that grow straight and sweet
Loose soil, careful spacing, and steady moisture make the difference between forked roots and a clean harvest.
Stop blossom-end rot before it starts
Consistent moisture and healthy roots prevent most damaged tomatoes before symptoms appear.
Keep cucumbers productive all summer
A practical pruning and watering routine for steady harvests through hot weather.
Start seeds without expensive equipment
Everything you need to grow strong seedlings on a sensible budget.
What are you growing?
Advice grounded in real gardens
Our editors test, grow and explain practical methods without invented certainty.