Will Gowing speaks to co-founder of The Baking Boys, Brett Hornby. Brett talks about his early career in the skies, starting The Baking Boys on the back of a very challenging time, as well as life away from baking and QVC.

The post Inside QVC Podcast Episode 209 – Brett Hornby appeared first on Stories.

From traditional decor to natural minimalism, a winning festive display can come in myriad forms: you can truly get creative, and autumn is the perfect time to start thinking ahead and planning your theme, whether you’re completely revamping your decor or adding just a few pieces to liven things up.

Will you go for classic and traditional colours, or something sparkling and extravagant? Whatever your style, we’re here to help you set the scene. Step into our Christmas shop and take a peek at our gorgeous trends below for a little inspiration.

By the Fireplace 

A timeless style, you can’t go wrong with our traditional collection, ‘By the Fireplace.’ It’s one of the most popular decorating styles and for good reason – past traditions and new ones combine to evoke a sense of joy and nostalgia. It’s bright and it’s fun, with classic reds and deep greens conjuring up the magical feeling of being a child again on Christmas morning – wide-eyed and wowed by all the ribbon-wrapped gifts…

Of course, the magic is in the details. Take, for example, this duo of pre-lit Gnome Dangly Legs. Plop them on a shelf or mantle and these characters will charm any guest with their bulbous noses and bushy white beards that light up from within.

From the living room to the dining table, special touches can be sprinkled everywhere.  What could be merrier than raising a glass and toasting the holidays with this set of two festive insulated tumblers?

For another vintage throwback, how about a classic figurine? This traditional standing Santa is certainly dressed the part, complete with a sackful of presents and a light timer that keeps him glowing and ho-ho-ho-ing evening after evening.

Soft Elegance 

If a traditional colour palette isn’t on your list this year, consider our serene yet glamorous trend, ‘Soft Elegance’. Inspired by light pinks and champagne mercury gold, this style offers an opportunity to step back from everyday routine and celebrate the embellishment of our homes with elevated, sophisticated brands like My Home Stories, Alison Cork and Home Reflections.

Speaking of new colours, we’re coveting this glitter snowy tree from Mr Christmas. Showcase it as a tabletop piece to dress up a room, or position it on a windowsill to sparkle through the night. The peachy pink design works wonderfully with the warm white lights, while the glittered detail creates that snow-capped look.

Few Christmas motifs are as magical as a nutcracker, and Festive’s traditional Nutcracker is no different (available on Advanced Order). Symbolising good luck and protection for your home, these decorative figurines hark back to late 17th century Germany, evoking centuries of wonderfully rich European tradition.

For a dose of glamour, we can always count on Home Reflections. This pre-lit LED mercury glass lamp will add instant pizzazz to your space.

Festive Opulence 

This collection is sure to prove a favourite, particularly with guests! Full of dramatic colours, our ‘Festive Opulence’ trend combines decadent velvets with metallic glitters and heavy ornaments. Think rich and regal tones, reminiscent of a royal interior.

If you’re entertaining guests, what better way to create that guest-ready glow than with this set of three pre-lit glass angels from JM by Julien Macdonald? Keep an eye out on this one, also available on Advanced Order. Dainty in their small, medium and large sizes, this luminous trio will twinkle dreamily by the hearth or in a hallway. Of course, you could split them up, but they look so graceful together!

Take a look at this pre-lit indoor and outdoor willow tree from Santa’s Best. Sure to make a statement, this radiant faux willow tree stands tall with 800 colour-changing LED lights. It’s super-easy to assemble, with an included remote and timer. You can snap yours up now on Advanced Order!

Pre-lit decorations are in this year, as this set of three reindeer scene sparklers also proves! Courtesy of British brand Luxa, this ingenious design boasts an interior with a frost film, with thousands of tiny prisms that refract light to create the spellbinding look of sunlight on frost. The silhouettes of reindeers and fir trees stretch around the sparkler to form an impressive spectacle.

Healing Minimalism

Keen to avoid the Christmas rush and the stress of preparations? Look no further than our ‘Healing Minimalism’ collection.  Embodying nature in its palette, along with understated aesthetics, this trend strikes a harmonious chord with white lights, earthy greenery and the use of recycled materials.

What better place to start with than the tree? Make yours beautiful and fuss-free at the same time with K by Kelly Hoppen’s Kensington Fir Christmas tree. Easy to set up with memory wire branches and fairy lights, we love how calming and inviting it looks. And for a finishing touch, this hammered metal tree skirt pulls it all together. You can buy it now on Advanced Order and receive it by 26th September.

Once you’ve set up your tree, keep things rustic with this set of six Ultimate Christmas tree decorations. With glossy pinecones, seedheads and seedpods, they’ll make a wonderful addition, and you can snap them up now on Advanced Order and receive them by 10th October. It’s all about bringing the outdoors in and adding a little sparkle for good measure. Take a look at this set of six Berry Lead Christmas tree decorations (available on Advanced Order for delivery on 10th October). And any surface would be ripe for this set of three tabletop decorations.

For more festive inspiration, be sure visit our Christmas shop. You’ll find gift ideas, food, decor and lots more. Best of luck with all your prep!

The post What’s your Christmas theme this year? appeared first on Stories.

From tidying and pruning to maintenance and repairs, here are some ideas to get you started through January and February. With less going on, it’s a great opportunity to take stock and plan for the gardening months ahead. As they say, new year, new garden!

Tidying up

What better way to start than with a seasonal tidy up? A deep clean will lay the foundations for warmer days ahead, and it’s a great outdoor workout too! If sweeping the lawn or clearing wind-blown debris is on the to-do list, this Original Garden Broom will help you get the job done.

Peak leaf season may be over, but many trees hang onto their dead leaves well into the winter season. This sturdy broom can be used as a rake, plus it’s made from the by-products of coconuts, so it won’t absorb water and get stodgy or sticky when used in wet conditions.

After a bout of heavy rain or strong wind, keep an eye out for those soggy leaves or collapsed stems of perennials. They can sometimes block the light and air for other plants!

And what to do with the leaves? Before you throw them away, remember they make for excellent compost or mulch if shredded. This Electric Impact Shredder from Webb boasts a powerful 2500W motor and a high-performance cutting system that shreds grass clippings, hedge trimmings, leaves and even branches. Whether you’re reducing waste or creating compost, this lightweight shredder will make your gardening tasks a breeze.

Sprucing up your outdoors

Winter has a way of covering our gardens in so much sludge and slime! That’s why we absolutely love this Crikey Mikey 5L Hard Surface Cleaner with Pressure Sprayer from Wolf. It’s super-easy to use and perfect for cleaning walls, paving, brickwork or even statues.

This Wolf cleaning kit offers quick, effective removal of algae, mould and lichen, and it even comes complete with protective gloves and safety glasses, so you can get stuck in the moment you receive your box. Simply pump and prime, then get rid of the slime! When your space is shining with life, you’ll thank Crikey Mikey!

Tools of the trade 

From late January through to February, things slowly but surely start to come alive in the garden. Before the first reawakenings of spring, it’s a good idea to stocktake and make sure you have all the tools you need for the gardening season ahead.

If the shed is looking a little empty, why not stock up with some essentials? Grumpy Gardener’s Wonder Shovel and Dirt Buddy duo will make tending to your patch so much simpler and enjoyable. These are two incredibly versatile tools that can be used for a variety of tasks, from digging, breaking up roots or weeding with the Wonder Shovel, to re-potting and planting bulbs with the Dirt Buddy.

Don’t forget, for keeping the garden in check (or the home!) our dedicated online Tool Shed has a wide range of DIY equipment, essential tools and security solutions.

Let gardening season begin

A new year calls for new designs, dreams and garden goals. So, for all things green and growing, be sure to visit our virtual garden centre. 

Feels good to breathe the fresh air, doesn’t it?

The post Get ahead with gardening this winter appeared first on Stories.

Whether you’re new to bird feeding or you’re a seasoned bird spotter, our wildlife range has you covered. Read on for tips, tricks and the best of our selection to help you charm the birds out of the trees. The right bird food won’t just attract birds, it’ll transform your garden into a living landscape.

A little helping hand 

Life is hard during winter, particularly if you’re a  bird. After the first cold snap of December, the months of January and February bring less hours of light, scant resources and buffeting winds. Lawn grubs are harder to find amongst the sodden leaves, and the ground is too hard and icy to dig out worms, caterpillars, aphids and beetles.

All of which to say, we can help!  Small birds will still have to puff their feathers against the cold, but we can chip in by supplementing their natural diets with tasty morsels.

High in fat content, these Deluxe Fatballs from Grumpy Gardener are a fantastic choice. They’re chock-full of cereals, oils, fats, seeds and minerals, with extra beef tallows and seeds. A great source of energy, these can help birds maintain their essential fat reserves, keeping them cosy and warm for winter.

All wild birds love fatballs, but there are some species in particular you might see more frequently, including blue tits, great tits, dunnocks, blackbirds, long-tailed tits and robins.

How’s it hanging?

Which leads us to our next point, how best to feed them? Birds try to eat in locations where they feel safe, so we think it’s often best to place food higher up off the ground, using natural coverage from hedgerows or trees.

This set of feeders from Grumpy Gardener ticks all the right bird-boxes. It has everything you need to get started, with three different types of feeders, nutrient-rich fatballs, mealworms and seeds. Why not hang them off a hook or tree, a hanging basket or even from a balcony?

If you position your feeders somewhere quiet, safe and sheltered, there’s a good chance you’ll have visitors. Different birds have different feeding habits, so it’s a good idea to mix things up. Robins, for example, prefer feeding from the ground, whereas smaller birds like house sparrows and greenfinches prefer hanging feeders that swing in the breeze. You can use these Mini Pocket Compact Binoculars to watch the different species!

All year round 

Although winter feeding benefits birds most, food shortages can occur at any time of the year. By feeding all year round, you’ll give them a better chance to survive food shortages whenever they may occur. In spring and summer too, during the breeding period, high-energy foods help the adults feed their fledglings.

Perfect for use throughout the seasons,  Richard Jackson’s Premium Bird Food is the crème de la crème for the winged ones!

Much loved and much pecked, this high-energy formula contains a blend of 13 natural ingredients, including whole sunflower hearts (a rich source of oil and protein for all birds), higher energy suet pellets (a superfood for birds) and kibbled peanuts. It’s also 100% free of wheat flakes (a cheap filler used in many other birds foods).

Welcome wildlife 

Whether you want to help the birds or you simply want to see more wildlife in your garden, we hope this blog may have given you some inspiration. Bird feeding can be enjoyed throughout the year, from the freeze-frames of winter to the sun-soaked days of summer.

And remember, for all things wild and living, be sure to visit our virtual gardening centre.

The post The joy of bird feeding appeared first on Stories.

Right now, we’re shining a light on Smart Works (charity number: 1080609), a charity set up to help women build their confidence, get the job and transform their lives. We had a virtual catch up with Kate Stephens the Chief Executive at Smart Works to find out more.

Tell us about Smart Works and the important work that you do

Smart Works exists to empower women with the confidence they need to reach their full potential, secure employment and change the trajectory of their lives.

The women we support at Smart Works are at greatest risk of economic hardship and discrimination. In the last year 43% of clients had been unemployed for over a year, 25% had been rejected from over 50 jobs and 14% from over 100 jobs.

We help our clients by giving them a complete outfit of clothes and accessories followed by one-to-one coaching so that they can succeed at their job interview. It sounds simple, giving women the tools and the confidence that will help them get the job, but the impact is profound.

As we move forward from the pandemic our service has never been more needed and we’re determined that any woman who needs our support is able to find her way to one of our centres across the UK.

How does the support that you offer change the lives of these women?

In eight years, we’ve opened eight centres and supported 20,000 women. Over two thirds of our clients go on to get a job within a month of their appointment, and we are so proud of the tangible impact we have.

But Smart Works is more than numbers. Our aim is to create a safe space for our clients to realise their potential and feel like the best version of themselves ahead of interview. It isn’t just about the clothes they are gifted; it is about what those clothes allow each woman to become. It is always a wonderful moment when one of our clients looks in the mirror and begins to see hope and possibility for a better future.

The people who best describe the impact of the service are our clients:

“I was made to feel powerful and secure within myself. As well as just changing my wardrobe, it changed my outlook on work and life.”

We want to raise the profile of our charity so that we can take this service to even more women across the UK. It is our mission that any women in need should be able to find her way to a Smart Works centre.

What advice would you give to a woman needing your help, and how can she find her way to a Smart Works centre?

Smart Works is a referral service, so just approach the person supporting you in your search for a job and ask them to give us a call. It is as simple as a five-minute phone call and we can get you booked in.

If you’re not sure who can refer you then just give us a call directly on 0207 288 1770 and the team will find a way to help you.

Smart Works is a community, and we are here to support our clients at a crucial moment in their lives. However we can, we will find a way to be there for the women who need us.

How can we all support Smart Works?

Smart Works is nothing without its community. The most important way that people can support Smart Works is by spreading the word of our service. As we are needed now, more than ever, we want any woman who needs our help to know how they can access our service.

If you know someone who could use our help or someone who could help us reach more women, our website is the best place to get in contact with our team.

We also have several other ways that people can get involved, from volunteering with us in one of our centres as a dresser, coach or stock volunteer, to donating clothing that we could use for our clients.

You can also hold a fundraising event to help us raise vital funds or it can be as simple as following our social channels and engaging with our content so that we can continue increasing our reach across the UK.

Find out more about Smart Works here and help us support this great charity and the inspiring work they do.

The post Join us to support the charity Smart Works appeared first on Stories.

Isn’t it crazy? Summer seems to be lasting forever now… it’s pretty good that it is, I think if the dull August weather had extended into September, we would all be grumbling…

I’ve had another busy month, which started off in a field of hydrangea. After a trip up north, I stopped off at the National Collection of Hydrangea in Derby, and it was gorgeous. I particularly like the ice cream types.

I’ve also been out recording podcasts with Ellen again, and we visited a new vegetable trial ground. This was really interesting, as we got to taste some new vegetables, and see how they are being improved for better garden use.

I was quite taken with the black tomatoes, but a bit disappointed to know that they are ripe when red, not black! They also had some gorgeous garden peas, with golden pods, and some purple ones with big flowers, just like sweet peas.

We’ve also been out to interview at Kiln Farm Nursery, in particular the apprentices. We are intrigued about how to get young people into horticulture, and suddenly realised that nobody actually speaks to young people, so we did!

We also had a bit of fun filming some reels, have you heard of reels? They are short videos, and they can be really creative.

I’ve been back down to London, into the ITV studios. We looked at houseplant trends, and we showed shelf plants, plants that don’t need water, and a range of interesting flowering plants.

I’ve only had one QVC show this month, it’s a little bit of low season for QVC gardening. I’ll be back at some point before Christmas, but of course we kick things off in January for real!

My garden is looking a little bit tired now, I’m regretting not planting many autumn-flowering plants. *Makes a note to self*!

I have cut a few nice flowers from the garden though, and I’m quite enjoying those bouquets. I’m also lucky enough to have a bouquet from the Chelsea show, some gorgeous big chrysanthemums!

And then, if that wasn’t enough, I was back up to Leeds again. This time for Steph’s Packed Lunch, we did a really cool feature on upcycling pallets, with Jo Behari, who you might recognise form QVC too! I’ve been back in there this week, doing Chelsea trends. Because of course, it is the Chelsea Flower Show this week!

I was really excited to show retro plants, small trees, and environmental gardening. I also got to show the plant of the year, the amazing Cercis Eternal Flame!

I really should get outside and start to tidy the garden up, it is looking a bit tired, and a few things need cutting down. I won’t be too quick to cut down though, I want to leave some habitats for the insects, etcetera. I don’t have a lawn at home, as you know, but if you do have a lawn, it’s almost time for your final cut of the season, don’t you know!

And those summer containers might be looking a little bit tired, how about re-planting them for autumn, or getting ahead and planting a lasagne pot for the spring!

See you next month, enjoy whatever you get up to!

Michael x

The post What I’ve been up to this month appeared first on Stories.

Here are our tips on making the most of your homegrown pumpkins – from growing seedlings to cooking soup!

Growing your pumpkins

Firstly, pumpkins are pretty easy to grow, though they do need space so the vines can sprawl along the ground. Some vines can get to as long as 6m (19ft), though around 3m (9ft) should be enough space for the average variety. According to Thompson & Morgan, in cooler climates pumpkin seeds can be sown in April and May but should be kept inside until all risk of frost has passed. Plant two seeds in small 7cm pots and thin out the weaker plants later on.

When daily temperatures average around 18C and above, and your seedlings are big enough, plant them outside at 3m (9ft) intervals in full sun. As the vines send out their tendrils, you’ll begin to see more and more leaves appear, then flowers will bloom and that’s where you’ll find your pumpkins start to bud. Pumpkins like to be warm and relish the sun, so remove any leaves that are throwing shade. Pumpkins can also be prone to rot if left to sit on damp earth, so raise them off the ground and rest them on seed trays, boards or thick cardboard.

If you can create a mound of earth to grow your pumpkins on, this will help with drainage and warming the soil. Make sure you water your plants regularly as pumpkins are very thirsty, and leave it as close to Halloween as possible to harvest them. This will ensure that the skins are nice and firm and easier to carve. If Halloween comes around before your pumpkins are properly ripened, it’s worth harvesting them a couple of weeks early and bringing them inside to ripen properly. Then it’s time to carve!

Carving your Jack ‘O Lantern

Once you’ve selected your perfect pumpkin, it’s best to start by drawing out your design on the outside of it. If you’re unsure where to start, try sketching out your Jack O’ Lantern’s face on paper first and transfer it to your pumpkin when you’re happy with the design.

The first place to start is at the top by cutting out the lid. Most of the inside of a pumpkin is hollow so it’s easy to start cutting. Use a sharp knife and make the first cut to zig zag around the stalk at the top. Keep the knife at an angle in towards the centre of the pumpkin so that the lip won’t fall inside when you’ve finished cutting. When you have completed the lid, pull the stalk and the lid should come straight out. Make sure you make the hole at the top big enough to get your hands inside to carve the pumpkin out.

Inside you will see the fibrous pulp and the seeds, these can be pulled out by hand initially and then you can use spoons, or an ice cream scoop to remove the stubborn bits! Remember to set the seeds aside, you’ll need them for planting so you can grow next year’s crop and start the cycle again. You can also roast some of the seeds with olive oil to make a tasty addition to salads and snacks.

If you’re looking to make a pie or soup from your pumpkin, then continue to scrape away at the inside until you have reduced the sides down by about half or around 2cm (<1″) thick. See below for the full recipes, but you will need around 680g (24oz) of pureed pumpkin for a pie and around 450g (1lb) for soup, to create 4-6 servings.

Once the pumpkin is hollowed out and you are happy with your design, you can either free-draw it using a felt tip pen – this is a great way to get younger family members involved – or you can trace out the design from your paper using a sharp tool like a knitting needle. Then using your knife, start cutting out your Jack ‘O Lantern.

Go slowly and use simple straight cuts at first, keeping the knife perpendicular to the pumpkin. Once you have carved the basic eyes, mouth and other features, then you can start to shape the holes that are left and perfect your face.

Add two or three tealights inside your pumpkin, turn out the lights and watch it glow!

Here are a few QVC-made Jacks for inspiration!

Making a delicious autumnal feast

Pumpkin pie

Although traditionally served at Thanksgiving dinner, its creamy filling and tasty pastry base make it a delicious end to any meal.

Ingredients:

For the shortcrust pastry base:

• (100g) 4oz butter
• (200g) 8oz self raising flour
• 1 – 2 tbsp cold water to bind

For the filling:

• 680g (24oz) pumpkin puree
• 100g (4oz) brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 300ml (10fl oz) single cream
• 1 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• Pinch of salt

For the garnish:

• 175ml (6fl oz) sour cream
• 125ml (4fl oz) whipped cream
• 2 tbsp sugar
• Crumbled walnuts to garnish

Method:

Making the shortcrust pastry base:

• Preheat the oven to gas mark 5 / 190C
• Sift the flour into a mixing bowl then cut the butter into small pieces before adding to the bowl
• Cover the butter with the flour and then rub the mixture between your thumb and fingers to create bread crumbs
• Add the water and mix in with a butter knife, then gather all the dough together with your hands making sure you pick up any residue in the bowl
• Flour your worktop or board and knead the pastry into a ball
• Then roll out your dough to about 4cm – 5cm larger than your pie tin turning the dough a quarter turn after each roll
• Line your pie dish with the pastry and fill with baking beans
• Cook your pastry base for 15 minutes, remove the beads and cook for a further 5 minutes

Making the filling:

• Combine the sugar, salt and spices in a small mixing bowl
• Blend the pumpkin puree and eggs well, in a mixer
• Gradually add the sugar and spice mixture and the cream and blend everything together until smooth
• Pour the mixture into your pie base
• Place the tin into the oven and bake for 45 – 50 minutes or until small knife comes out clean
• Serve either hot or cold

For the garnish:

• Whip the sour cream, whipped cream and sugar together until light and fluffy
• Add a dollop to each pie serving and sprinkle with crushed walnuts

Pumpkin soup:

For a warming, colourful lunch option or tasty starter, serve this hearty pumpkin soup in small hollowed out pumpkins and top with crunchy croutons or chunks of rustic bread!

Ingredients:

• 30g (1oz) of butter / 2 tbsp olive oil
• 450g (16oz ) pumpkin puree
• 2 pints chicken stock – use vegetable stock for a vegetarian version
• 25ml (8fl oz) double cream
• 2 small onions
• 1 stalk celery
• 1/2 tsp tabasco sauce or 1/2 tsp – chilli flakes
• 1 tsp paprika
• Pinch of salt

Method:

• In a large saucepan melt the butter / warm the oil over a moderate heat
• Add the onion and the pumpkin and cook, stirring occasionally for 5 – 6 minutes or until the onion are soft and transparent
• Gradually stir in the chicken stock, salt, celery, and spices
• Bring the mixture to the boil, stirring constantly
• Then cover the pan and simmer for 30 – 35 minutes or until the pumpkin and celery is very tender
• Pour the mixture into a blender and blend until smooth
• Stir in the cream and return to the saucepan
• Cook the soup on a moderately high heat until piping hot but not boiling and serve immediately

Enjoy!

For more gardening inspiration, check out our Garden & Leisure department.

If full-blown fancy dress is just not your thing, why not add a little Halloween-inspired twist to your look with these great fashion designs from Frank Usher? The embellished floral skull T-shirt will look great under your favourite leather biker jacket, while the embellished skull jersey top is the perfect layer for welcoming those cheeky Trick-or-Treaters to your door!

Butler & Wilson are your go-to brand for Halloween accessories, check out their batwing enamel earrings, skull motorbike brooch, enamel skull necklace and crystal and pearl spider ring for just the right amount of spooky sparkle!

And why not complement your new pumpkin decor with this beautiful ceramic embossed candle with holder from Homeworx by Harry Slatkin. Finally, if you want to add some Halloween nonsense to your home Pacman’s ghosts will deliver!

The post How to grow the perfect pumpkin, plus carving and recipe ideas! appeared first on Stories.

I won’t even start by mentioning the weather, but you know what’s going on! Or perhaps it’s nice where you are, in that case, invite me over!

So it’s been a few weeks since we last spoke, I actually haven’t had many shows, because I’m having a bit of a summer hiatus, but I’ll be back in the late autumn as we look towards Christmas. I’ve been on a few times with Craig though, I do love working with him, we seem to bounce off each other really well, and have a laugh, yet still pass on lots of knowledge and useful information! Or, so we think!

There has been some really cool plants on the shows recently, including the amazing Hydrangea Nizza, you can see a photo of it here.

Some of these are hopefully available next spring; there were red delphiniums, amazing rainbow begonias, and a really neat mini-Petunia, I was very lucky to bring home a mustard yellow Petunia too, because I’m doing some work with it soon.

I was very pleased recently to see that my tomato and potato graft had taken hold, and I now have my very own TomTato. Yeah I know I’m very late in the season, but I’m going to see what’s going to happen, I can already see some baby potatoes beneath the soil surface!!!

It’s quite nice as the shows calm down a little bit it’s been quite busy, and I’m also getting a little bit busier with Steph‘s Packed Lunch over the next few weeks as well. Sometimes after I drive back to Suffolk, I’m really tired, and the only thing I reach for is a bowl of aligot, it’s basically mash potato with cheese and mustard, a French recipe!

By the time you read this, I will have made an appearance at the Cactusworld live event at RHS Bridgewater, I’m really excited to be asked to visit, and hopefully I will share some new ideas. I’m actually quite busy over the next few weeks in my little office at home too, as I’ve been approached to write a book! Now I really need to be studious!

We have been out podcasting as well though, and sometimes we have to record in the car, as we are en route to somewhere, as you can see. We have also been hanging out at Ellen‘s allotment, and I was very jealous of her flower displays, she has brought home so many vases to show off at home!

This month, in the garden, who needs jobs – why not sit and put your feet up? Although, make sure that you feed the garden at least once a week, in order to get those last few blooms out of your plants! You might soon want to start about thinking where you will plant your bulbs as well! Are you going to try some lasagna style pots this year perhaps?

So, as I’ve said, I’m not around much over the next couple of months, but you will see me on the first weekend in September, so I hope you’ll be watching!

See you soon,

Michael

The post A summer break and getting ready for autumn appeared first on Stories.

Here is our list of must-do jobs for your September garden.

Savour the flavour

Harvest the last of your homegrown crops. Onions, runner beans, courgettes and potatoes, along with raspberries and apples are all ready to harvest in September and there are dozens of recipes to help you preserve them if your crop is a bumper one! Members of the bean family will freeze well and if you ensure you dry out your garlic bulbs thoroughly, they will also keep in storage. Onion marmalade is a superbly savoury-sweet treat to liven up a festive cheese board, while raspberry jam is the only filling you need for a genuine Victoria sandwich. If you’ve never tried courgette fritters or potato and courgette pancakes, now’s your chance, they’re utterly delicious.

Prep for a colourful spring

Plant spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and crocuses, as well as bedding plants, like pansies now and prep your garden for a full-on floral display when winter starts to wane. There is also a wealth of leafy spring vegetables that you can plant in September. Spinach, lettuce, Swiss chard and kale, plus meatier veg like broccoli, carrots and cauliflower will be sure to get your mouth watering come spring.

Reap what you sow

Collect seeds from your current plants and sort them into marked containers ready for next season. Shake or scrape the pods and heads to make sure you collect every seed, store them in sealed tins or envelopes to ensure they stay dry, and keep them in a cool dark place, such as a garage, shed, or even your fridge. Hardy annual seeds can be sown now for a gorgeous display in spring, and sowing seeds in autumn often means earlier blooms than if you wait until spring to sow. Poppies, cornflower and Nigella are all great hardy annuals to sow outside this month.

Preen your green

After a summer of entertaining and spending time outdoors, it’s time to give your lawn some much needed TLC to get it back to its gorgeous self. Rake away the falling leaves, thatch and debris, aerate the grass and give it a really good feed with a suitable fertiliser for the season to ensure it grows back lush and strong next year. Trim back the edges where they have overgrown onto the patio or beds and add lawn seed to any sparse or patchy areas to ensure new growth after winter.

Get your greenhouse glowing

Take time to clear out and tidy up your greenhouse ready for the new nursery season. First open the vents and door, empty all the contents out and start from the bottom up. Clean the glass and frames of algae and dirt with warm soapy water removing and preventing growth of mould and mildew. Cleaning the windows will also ensure the most light gets inside and to your plants. Use a water-vinegar solution rather than harsh chemicals to get those panes sparkling. Remember that September can also still have some really warm days so keep on top of watering this month too!

More, more, more

Continue to deadhead the plants in your pots and containers to keep them looking fresh and encourage as many new blooms as possible until the first frosts. To increase your plant stock for next year, divide congested clumps of perennials. Gently work outwards from the crown to divide the plant using your either your hands or garden forks, depending on their size. Some plants send out plantlets so these can be teased out and replanted. As you replant or pot up, water well and mix in some compost to the soil to encourage growth. September is also a great time to propagate cuttings from your tender perennials – keep them in a frost-free environment, preferably on a windowsill inside, as their roots establish.

Nourish = flourish!

Add some compost to your soil – adding a layer now will help nourish the soil by the time spring comes around, to leave you with revitalised earth that the plants will flourish in. Autumn is also a good time to fertilise your rose bushes using a special formula to promote root growth rather than foliage. Planting roses is also good to do around the start of September, at least six weeks before the first frosts, to give the roots time to establish themselves before they go dormant over winter.

For more ideas, inspiration, plants, tools and more visit our garden department page now.

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You may not see me on your screens every week through the summer, because I’m having (what I’m told is) a well-earned rest! It’s been such a busy season, with QVC work, as well as all the content creation I get up to. I’m loving it though.

I’m especially liking flower shows being back! I was very lucky to go to the press day of Hampton Court recently. Once we were through the gates, everything felt nice and normal, and it was great to be surrounded by plants, and my plant friends.

Of course, I came away with quite a few purchases. I absolutely adored the floral marquee and was quite taken with some flowers made of paper, oh the irony!

Of course, I soon got those plants planted into my borders at home. They are looking really, really full.

People often wonder how I created the garden so quickly, I think that’s because I’m so impatient, so I planted big plants, and planted them really closely together. Probably nothing that the books would tell you to do….!

I have been particularly excited about my “pink squirrel” flower this week, plus I can see a Tiger Lily on the way, I might camp next to it just so I can see it when it opens…

Whilst in my own garden, I have been spending a few moments in my egg chair each day, it’s one of the best things I have bought from QVC.

That is, until I got my electric BBQ. game changer!! I think I’ve become a QVC addict myself, as I just ordered the Sealy mattress last week too…

I’m just loving the warm weather now and trying very hard not to complain about it. Especially because I was always grumbling when it was cloudy and a little bit autumn-like at the beginning of the month.

We are going for plenty of walks, discovering new places in Suffolk, as well as places I haven’t been to for years.

The wildflowers seem particularly special this time of year, or perhaps I am looking at them differently.

I’ve also been working on some content around gardening projects for kids, because I’m sure there’s many that need to be kept entertained during the summer holidays!

This is the part where I usually give you gardening jobs, but this month there isn’t much to do. I would prefer you to just enjoy your garden, with the occasional wobbly session of deadheading, with a glass of wine in your hand…!

Until next month, take care,

Michael

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