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You might recognise Mark Lane as the garden expert on BBC One’s Morning Live. Perhaps you’ve made an appointment at his houseplant clinic to revive your struggling saplings or you’ve taken part in his grow-along series for spinach, kale, rocket and the like.
He’s also a regular presenter at the RHS Flower Shows at Chelsea, Tatton and Hampton Court and the author of The Thrifty Gardener.
We interviewed Lane for our Readers Ask series, where industry experts answer questions from our Telegraph Recommended reader panel. From his tips to keeping weeds at bay to his vision for dog-friendly gardens, here are his answers.
Anthony, Yorkshire
Annuals are a great place to start, such as cosmos, nigella, poppy and cornflower. They’re super easy to grow from seed and require little attention once growing. It’s super easy to start a new garden from scratch with a few packets of annual seeds, and it doesn’t have to cost the earth.
Konstantinos, London
Hardy geraniums, sedum, heuchera, ornamental grasses, rosemary and shrubs like box or choisya. They tolerate the weather extremes, need minimal watering, suit most soils and recover from neglect.
Start with a healthy plant, mulch well and avoid overwatering. Choose local varieties where possible and observe some drainage and spacing carefully.
Andrew, East of England
I love texture in the garden and I introduced eryngium agavifolium in my old garden in Kent and it thrived. Boy, oh boy, did it. With our hotter, drier summers, it had no problem and the flowers are always smothered in pollinators.
Anonymous
It changes with the seasons, but I do love echinacea for their simple flowers that attract beneficial pollinators. They come in various sizes, shapes and colours, add texture to the garden and have a great seed head for winter interest.
Mave, North West
Five newer or notable flower cultivars that have been bred with pollinators in mind.
I would say cosmos pink mosaic. It’s a recent bedding variety with open, daisy-like blooms that are easy for bees to forage on.
The very popular salvia amistad, a striking perennial salvia with deep purple flowers and rich nectar the bees love throughout summer.
Echinacea, there’s some wonderful new colour forms, modern cone flower selections with varied hues from coral to yellow, or with accessible central cones for pollinators.
Also, lantana, pollinator-friendly types. Though traditionally for warmer gardens, newer lantana types are bright to bloom longer and attract bees.
Finally, opt for single flowered dahlias. Recent single flower dahlia varieties with simple centres are far more bee-friendly than double blooms.
Ste, East Midlands
I used to watch BBC Gardeners’ World at my grandparents’, and I was inspired greatly by Geoff Hamilton. But my everyday gardening inspiration came from my grandparents.
My grandad taught me about soil health, how to sow seeds, how to take cuttings, while my grandma, who was a flower arranger, taught me about colour, shape, form, height, spread, texture and scent and all of that is stuck with me, even today.
Stephen, undisclosed
I love multi-headed tools such as Wolf Garten, as they allow me to take several tools around the garden in my trolley without taking up too much space. A simple click method makes changing the head easy and quick, while the various handles of different sizes and shapes makes gardening effortless.
David, West Midlands
Plant choice is now very dictated by climate change. We’re getting hotter, drier summers and wetter, warmer winters that are not killing off pests and diseases.
I’ve also moved away from labour-intensive container gardening, growing just specimens in them now, with an automatic watering system where needed.
Collecting and storing water is also important. Saving this precious resource and using it throughout the year is better for your plants and your garden in general.
And when it comes to growing your own produce, plant selection is key. Think about using the Three Sisters approach based on the traditional indigenous method of companion planting that originated with Native American communities.
Corn or maize is planted first so that the tall stalks act like a trellis and shade the soil, slightly reducing moisture loss. Beans are then planted around the corn to fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching all three crops, reducing the need for added nutrients, and finally squash or pumpkin is planted on the edges as it spreads. With its broad leaves, it shades the soil and suppresses weeds.
Jean, London
I think getting lost in my own thoughts or letting my mind clear. It’s an act of mindfulness for me. I call gardening my green pill.
Julie, London
Suppress weeds by mulching generously. Also improve the soil health, plant densely, removing weeds early, and try and avoid bare soil. Water precisely and stay consistent with regular maintenance throughout the growing season each year.
In addition, reuse delivery cardboard boxes, cut them up, lay them flat on the soil surface, and cover that with a mulch, either homemade compost or bark.
Alternatively, embrace the weeds as they’re great for pollinators.
Helen, South West
Research dog-friendly plants and remember that a garden needs to be a sensory experience for them as well as you.
Use tough grass for lawn areas, as well as ornamental grasses for texture and sensory experience. Ensure you have secure boundaries.
Plant only those non-toxic plants such as sunflower, rosemary, snapdragons, marigold and remember to include shaded areas, especially important on hot summer days, and leave space for digging zones.
Access to fresh water is essential, especially during the summer, and avoid sharp features or poisonous plants for safe play and daily exercise needs.
Finally, you can’t be too precious about your plants if you have a dog. They will run where they want to go, crushing plants as they grow. My tip for this is to have some of your favourite plants in pots, so you can pop them in when needed.
Siri, London
Use folding tables and chairs, pots and containers on wheels and hinge tables fixed to a wall so all could be moved to create an open space for exercising or entertaining.
Even with limited space, you can grow a surprising range of fruit and vegetables on a balcony or small garden. Opt for compact, container-friendly varieties and vertical solutions to maximise yield.
Cherry tomatoes, salad leaves such as lettuce, rocket and spinach, radishes, spring onions, dwarf beans, peppers, baby carrots and courgettes can all be grown in pots. Many herbs like basil, parsley, coriander and chives also thrive in small spaces, especially for vertical planting.
Strawberries, dwarf or bush-type blueberries, alpine or patio raspberries fix in pots and compact citrus like lemons, even melons or tomatoes can succeed if grown on a trellis or in hanging containers.
My tips for success: use good quality compost. Ensure pots have drainage, rotate crops to prevent nutrient depletion and water regularly. Consider stacking planters or vertical supports to make the most of your space while keeping plants healthy and productive.
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