Over the past fifteen weeks of COVID-19 lockdown, I have shared my garden, live, every Friday morning on Instagram. My ‘Weekly Wander‘ has allowed me to showcase my garden as it has grown away and burgeoned through the season. Every week an enthusiastic gathering of gardeners (is there a collective noun for lots of gardeners?) has tuned in and watched my garden’s progress. Along the way (he said, avoiding the much overused word ‘journey’) trug-loads of gardening questions have been put to me.
Mike’s ‘Weekly Wander’ – Week 14Watch Mike’s ‘Weekly Wander’ – Week 14 by clicking this link.
It occurred to me that there are many, many aspiring amateur gardeners out there. Gardeners who want a beautiful green space of their own, no matter what the size. Whilst I trained professionally as a gardener, I clearly remember my very early days of making mistakes (and there were many), muddling through and trying to do my best. It was hugely frustrating at times. Things were different in those dark, ‘Neanderthal’ days (yes, I really am THAT old). There was no Instagram. There was no easily accessible community of gardeners on Facebook. I had Alan Titchmarsh in my lounge on a Friday evening for half an hour, but he seemed not to notice that I had my own specific questions, individual concerns and associated problems.
And so I am introducing #GardeningMadeEasy.
My idea is not rocket science, it’s been done before in various guises, I suspect. #GardeningMadeEasy is about sharing my love, passion and knowledge of gardening and plants with others. I certainly don’t know it all, but I know a fair amount and I love chatting (as you will have noticed) and sharing that knowledge with fellow gardeners.
Whether you are a complete newbie to gardening or looking to increase your existing gardening knowledge and skills I will be here to help.
#GardeningMadeEasy will be driven by the gardening jobs that need to be done right now to help your garden, your pots, containers and hanging baskets flourish. There will be:
- Easy to follow, live Instagram demos and talks with the experts
- Helpful IGTV videos, and
- Plain English blog posts
I will aim to demonstrate, explain and de-mystify some of the gardening basics and some of the more complex tasks that budding amateurs will want to strive to achieve.
Amongst MANY gardening topics I will explain:
- Confusing gardening terminology
- Different composts and soil improvers and when & how to use them
- How and when to feed and fertilise plants
- Pruning and propagation
- Pests & diseases and how to use them effectively.
I’ll also be lifting the lid on some garden design tricks of the trade, which you can use in your green patch.
I’ll not be able to cover everything, of course, but you’ll be able to message me with any problems you are struggling with.
If this is something that will be of interest to you, please SUBSCRIBE to my blog (www.mike-palmer.com) and my Instagram feed (@mikepalmer01) to see all details of live demos and talks, IGTV videos and blog posts and SHARE with all of your gardening family and friends.
Thank you.
Mike
MIKE THE GARDENER 