I am now an official ambassador for Kola Construction!

If you’ve been raising seedlings indoors, it can be tempting to move them straight outside as soon as the sun appears. But before you do, there’s one crucial step that makes all the difference… hardening off. Hardening off is the process of gradually introducing your young plants to outdoor conditions, helping them adjust to changes in temperature, light, and exposure. It’s a simple step, but an essential one, giving your seedlings the strength and resilience they need to th

Learn how to make a nettle and potato dauphinoise using freshly foraged nettles. This easy UK spring recipe is a creamy, comforting side dish that pairs perfectly with roast lamb at Easter.

A simple, moist banana and coconut bread recipe, perfect for a cosy garden tea break. Easy to make, full of flavour, and a favourite homemade treat.

March in the gardening calendar is very much dominated by one key job… pricking out seedlings. If you’ve been busy sowing seeds over the past few weeks, chances are you’re now starting to see trays full of tiny green shoots all competing for space, light and nutrients. This is where pricking out comes in, and it’s one of the most important steps in giving your plants the best possible start. So, what does “pricking out” actually mean? Quite simply, pricking out is the process

At the beginning of March there is always a noticeable shift in the garden. The light is stronger, the days feel longer and suddenly you start spotting all the little jobs that winter has left behind. One of the best things you can do at this time of year is give your garden woodwork a fresh coat of protection.

There’s nothing quite like a patch of wildflowers to bring your garden to life.

If you’ve ever grown seedlings that look tall, thin and floppy, you’re not alone. “Leggy” seedlings are one of the most common problems for home growers, especially in early spring. The good news is, it’s easy to fix once you know what causes it. This is something that i struggled with when I started my seed growing journey.

A little while back, I learned about the quiet power of herbal teas and the incredible health benefits they can offer. Since that day, I have made it my mission to remind people wherever I go. Tea is not just a drink. It is a ritual, a pause, a moment of care in a busy day. It is wellbeing in its simplest and most comforting form.

If you’ve ever grown tomatoes, you’ll know they can be both incredibly generous and, at times, a little testing. My lovely Dad does an amazing job every year and, no matter how hard I try, I cant seem to get anywhere near as good as him as a mini tomato farmer.

Holidays are about expanding your mind, and your palletr, I learnt this dish whilst in Mauritus this week. This Creole-style turmeric chicken is all about sunshine flavours, gentle heat and fresh ingredients. It’s the kind of dish that fills the kitchen with spice and comfort, yet still feels light and vibrant — perfect for bringing a little island warmth into winter cooking.

My aim when I set up Thegrowup.co.uk was to help everyone, young and old, big gardens to window boxes, allotments to school gardens, have a helping hand with knowledge and encouragement to grow their own food. But it has grown, notice my pun there, into something much bigger than just that.