Helen Riches Garden Design and Writing, Saffron Walden

Helen Riches garden designer and award winning garden writer, based in Saffron Walden, Essex, 12 miles from Cambridge, but also close to Suffolk and Hertfordshire. Creates beautiful, unique gardens. Garden writer and regular contributor to BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. Development of garden projects - specialises in container gardening. Garden stylist. Garden talks to garden clubs etc. Garden design courses, fun garden courses for all ages. Keen gardener. Garden has been open for the Yellow Book (National Garden Scheme - NGS).

Things to Do

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sun bathing

sun bathing

Herbs need light. If you're short of space, lift your potted herbs skyward, by making them their own sun deck. We used old planks and empty pots. Easy! 24.05.11
you can never have enough buckets...

you can never have enough buckets...

If your tender plants are taking over your conservatory (like my dahlias, bushing out beautifully, after being pinched back)- prettify them by popping them in buckets. Collects the excess water too! 20.05.11
flowering shrubs

flowering shrubs

This Skimmia x confusa 'Kew Green' compliments its creamy companion, narcissi. Take note of your flowering shrubs  and plan to give them a compatible friend when planting bulbs in autumn. 07.04.11
take stock

take stock

Its been a cruel winter for plants. If only I had a £1 for every dead Ceonothus I've come across. Time to tidy up - trim it or chuck it. Even the dog can't bare to look at this ragged lavender. 16.03.11
at last!

at last!

The Rheum palmatum has emerged from its hessian blanket! (see cosy cover 14.12.10) Look out for Sea kale bursting out of its confines too. 07.04.11
spring in a tin

spring in a tin

Make drainage holes in an old soup tin and put a little compost in the base. Dig up a mini clump of snowdrops and place inside- the tin will stop it flopping. Order snowdrops  'in the green' now for a show next year. 22.02.11
give a fig

give a fig

Time to give your trained figs some attention. Check hook eyes and wires are secure, then tie in stems to create pleasing fan shapes, without crossing branches. Wait 'til warmer weather before pruning. 02.02.11
...& tie with care

...& tie with care

Never tuck climbing stems or branches in behind your garden wire. Always use the figure of 8 method to secure it at the front - so much easier to adjust as the stems grow and thicken. 02.02.11

Helen Riches | Garden Design And Writing

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