https://growabc.co.uk/ Plain answers for UK gardeners: when to sow, how to grow and what to do when a plant goes wrong. Based on trusted sources. en-GB Wed, 11 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/apple-touch-icon.png https://growabc.co.uk/ https://growabc.co.uk/carrots/storing/ https://growabc.co.uk/carrots/storing/ Three ways to store carrots over winter: left in the ground under 15 cm of straw, boxed in moist sand in a frost-free shed, or in an outdoor clamp. Wed, 11 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/garden/mulching/ https://growabc.co.uk/garden/mulching/ How to mulch a garden: which materials to use, when to spread them, and why the layer should be at least 5 cm thick. RHS and Garden Organic advice compared. Wed, 11 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/gooseberries/pruning/ https://growabc.co.uk/gooseberries/pruning/ Prune gooseberries in late winter or early spring while dormant, then shorten side-shoots to five leaves in summer. Bushes, cordons, standards and fans. Wed, 11 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/apple-trees/diseases/ https://growabc.co.uk/apple-trees/diseases/ Apple tree diseases and pests: scab, canker, powdery mildew, brown rot, fireblight, aphids, codling moth and sawfly. RHS signs, causes and what to do. Tue, 10 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/potatoes/diseases/ https://growabc.co.uk/potatoes/diseases/ Potato diseases and pests with pictures: blight, common and powdery scab, blackleg, black scurf, tuber rots, potato cyst nematodes and wireworms. RHS advice. Tue, 10 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/roses/diseases/ https://growabc.co.uk/roses/diseases/ Rose diseases and pests with pictures: black spot, powdery mildew, rust, downy mildew, dieback, aphids and sawflies. RHS signs, causes and what to do. Tue, 10 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/roses/growing/ https://growabc.co.uk/roses/growing/ How to grow roses in the UK: sun, soil, watering, feeding twice a year, winter mulch, deadheading, pruning bush roses and taking cuttings. Advice from the RHS. Tue, 10 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/strawberries/diseases/ https://growabc.co.uk/strawberries/diseases/ Strawberry diseases and pests: grey mould that rots the berries, powdery mildew, wilt, viruses, vine weevil, slugs, birds and spotted wing drosophila. Tue, 10 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/apple-trees/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/apple-trees/when-to-plant/ The RHS plants apple trees while dormant, from autumn to spring. Bare-root or container-grown, site, soil, rootstocks, staking and watering in the first years. Mon, 09 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/daffodils/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/daffodils/when-to-plant/ The RHS plants daffodil bulbs in early autumn, ideally September, and warns flowering can suffer after mid-November. Depth, site, pots, leaves and blindness. Mon, 09 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/parsley/when-to-sow/ https://growabc.co.uk/parsley/when-to-sow/ The RHS sows parsley in early spring with bottom heat, or outdoors from late spring. Garden Organic sows indoors in March and April. Germination and spacing. Mon, 09 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/peaches/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/peaches/when-to-plant/ The RHS plants peach trees in late autumn, or from November to March when bare-root trees are on sale. Site, wall planting, pots, frost and leaf curl. Mon, 09 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/pumpkins/when-to-sow/ https://growabc.co.uk/pumpkins/when-to-sow/ The RHS sows pumpkins indoors from mid to late April and outdoors in late May or early June, after the last frost. Planting out, spacing, harvest and storage. Mon, 09 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/blackberries/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/blackberries/when-to-plant/ The RHS says mid-autumn to early spring is ideal for planting blackberries. Garden Organic gives October to February. Wires, spacing, depth and cutting back. Sun, 08 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/cabbages/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/cabbages/when-to-plant/ Sow cabbages from February to August and plant out from May to October, depending on the type. RHS and Garden Organic dates for spring to winter cabbages. Sun, 08 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/hydrangeas/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/hydrangeas/when-to-plant/ The RHS says plant shrubby hydrangeas in spring or autumn, potted ones all year if the soil allows. Light shade, planting hole, watering and flower colour. Sun, 08 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/lavender/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/lavender/when-to-plant/ The RHS says plant lavender in April or May as the soil warms, and never in winter. Which lavender is hardiest, sun, soil, spacing, pots and first summer. Sun, 08 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/pears/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/pears/when-to-plant/ The RHS says the best time to plant a pear tree is while it is dormant, from autumn to spring. Rootstocks, pollination, frost-free sites, spacing and staking. Sun, 08 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/apricots/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/apricots/when-to-plant/ The RHS says autumn is the best time to plant an apricot tree, or any time from November to March while dormant. Choose a warm wall and protect the blossom. Sat, 07 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/beetroot/when-to-sow/ https://growabc.co.uk/beetroot/when-to-sow/ Sow beetroot outdoors from late March or April to July, once the soil reaches at least 7 °C, the RHS says. Earlier sowings need a bolt-resistant variety. Sat, 07 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/gooseberries/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/gooseberries/when-to-plant/ The RHS says late autumn is ideal for planting gooseberries. Bare-root bushes are only sold while dormant. Site, depth and spacing from UK sources. Sat, 07 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/lilacs/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/lilacs/when-to-plant/ The RHS says the best time to plant a lilac is from autumn to early spring. Choose a sunny, open spot and well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil. Sat, 07 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/peonies/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/peonies/when-to-plant/ The RHS plants bare-root peony divisions in late autumn and potted ones in late spring. Cover the buds with no more than 2.5 cm of soil, or they may not flower. Sat, 07 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/dahlias/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/dahlias/when-to-plant/ Plant potted dahlias out once frost has passed, usually late May, or mid June in colder areas. Tubers can go straight in from mid April. RHS dates and lifting. Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/gladioli/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/gladioli/when-to-plant/ Plant gladiolus corms from mid April to May, 10–15 cm deep, in batches for a longer show. RHS dates, spacing, frost, and lifting and storing the corms. Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/lilies/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/lilies/when-to-plant/ Plant lily bulbs in early autumn so they root before winter, or in spring when bulbs are on sale. RHS planting depths, spacing, soil, pots and lily beetle. Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/roses/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/roses/when-to-plant/ Plant bare-root roses at leaf fall in late autumn or from late winter to early spring. Container roses go in all year. RHS tips on depth and replant disease. Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/tulips/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/tulips/when-to-plant/ Plant tulip bulbs in autumn: the RHS gives September to November, November, or up to December. Depth, spacing, tulip fire, pots and lifting the bulbs. Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/flowers/japanese-garden/ https://growabc.co.uk/flowers/japanese-garden/ How to create a Japanese-style garden in the UK: rocks, raked gravel, water, moss and paths, plants for British gardens, Japanese maples and cloud pruning. Thu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/houseplants/amaryllis/ https://growabc.co.uk/houseplants/amaryllis/ How to grow amaryllis (hippeastrum): planting the bulb, light and temperature, what to do after flowering, the rest period and how to make it flower again. Thu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/pests/moles/ https://growabc.co.uk/pests/moles/ Moles in the garden: why molehills appear, what moles eat, how to level the lawn, mole netting under new turf, and what the RHS says about repellent plants. Thu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/pests/slugs/ https://growabc.co.uk/pests/slugs/ How to deal with slugs in the garden: torchlight picking, beer traps, nematodes, morning watering and tougher plants, plus what RHS trials found on barriers. Thu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/pests/weeds/ https://growabc.co.uk/pests/weeds/ How to get rid of weeds without weedkillers: hoeing, hand weeding, mulching, smothering perennial weeds, and clearing weeds from lawns, paving and gravel. Thu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/apple-trees/pruning/ https://growabc.co.uk/apple-trees/pruning/ Prune free-standing apple trees in winter, November to early March, and remove only 10–20% of the canopy. Young trees, mature trees, watershoots and old trees. Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/cucumbers/when-to-sow/ https://growabc.co.uk/cucumbers/when-to-sow/ Sow cucumbers indoors from mid February for a heated greenhouse, in April for an unheated one and late April for outdoors. Warmth, pots and planting out. Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/garden/compost/ https://growabc.co.uk/garden/compost/ How to make garden compost: mix greens and browns, what not to add, turning, how long it takes, fixing a smelly or dry heap, and using it as a mulch. Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/strawberries/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/strawberries/when-to-plant/ Plant strawberries in August or September so they crop next summer, or in spring. Cold-stored runners, bare-root plants, spacing, crown depth and frost. Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/tomatoes/diseases/ https://growabc.co.uk/tomatoes/diseases/ Tomato diseases and pests with pictures: blight, leaf mould, grey mould, blossom end rot, viruses, whitefly and aphids. Signs, causes and what to do. Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/carrots/when-to-sow/ https://growabc.co.uk/carrots/when-to-sow/ Sow carrots outdoors from April to early July, or from February under cloches or fleece. Depth, spacing, thinning, carrot fly timing and when to harvest. Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/courgettes/growing/ https://growabc.co.uk/courgettes/growing/ How to grow courgettes in the UK: sowing indoors in April or May, planting out after frost, 90 cm spacing, watering, feeding, picking size and powdery mildew. Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/onions/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/onions/when-to-plant/ Plant overwintering onion sets in autumn for a June crop, or spring sets in early to mid spring for July to September. Depth, spacing, birds and bolting. Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/peas/when-to-sow/ https://growabc.co.uk/peas/when-to-sow/ Sow peas outdoors from March to June once the soil reaches 10 °C, or indoors in February. Autumn sowing, depth, spacing, supports, mice and pea moth. Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/raspberries/growing/ https://growabc.co.uk/raspberries/growing/ How to grow raspberries in the UK: summer or autumn fruiting, planting canes from November to March, spacing, supports, pruning, mulching and picking. Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/chillies/when-to-sow/ https://growabc.co.uk/chillies/when-to-sow/ Sow chilli seeds indoors from January with a heated propagator, or from March without one. Germination temperature, potting on and when plants can go outside. Mon, 02 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/cucumbers/growing/ https://growabc.co.uk/cucumbers/growing/ How to grow cucumbers in the UK: greenhouse or outdoor types, when to sow, planting out, training and pinching out, male flowers, watering, feeding and picking. Mon, 02 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/garlic/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/garlic/when-to-plant/ Plant garlic cloves from mid autumn to early winter, so they get one to two months at 0–10 °C. Spacing, depth, heavy soil, spring planting and harvest dates. Mon, 02 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/potatoes/growing/ https://growabc.co.uk/potatoes/growing/ How to grow potatoes in the UK: rich soil, earthing up, watering, feeding, potatoes in bags, when to lift earlies and maincrops, storing, blight and scab. Mon, 02 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/potatoes/when-to-plant/ https://growabc.co.uk/potatoes/when-to-plant/ Plant first earlies in late March, second earlies in early to mid April and maincrops from mid April to early May. How and when to chit seed potatoes first. Mon, 02 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/strawberries/growing/ https://growabc.co.uk/strawberries/growing/ How to grow strawberries in the UK: when to plant, spacing, crown depth, watering, feeding, straw, netting, runners, cutting back and replacing old plants. Mon, 02 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://growabc.co.uk/tomatoes/growing/ https://growabc.co.uk/tomatoes/growing/ How to grow tomatoes in the UK: cordon or bush, spacing, supports, side shoots, when to stop the plant, watering, feeding, blight and blossom end rot. Mon, 02 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT