An Interview with The Middle Sized Garden

We recently spoke to Alexandra over at The Middle-Sized Garden about growing techniques, gardening tips, and effective seasonal gardening. Check out what Alexandra had to say below:

Our Interview with The Middle-Sized Garden 

1. What challenges have you faced owning a middle-sized garden?

The biggest challenge is that the garden is big enough to be quite a lot of work, but not quite big enough to have everything you want in it. For example, we’d love to have a greenhouse, but would have to re-design a part of the garden to get it in.

The size also impacts on the budget – you can spend quite a lot per square foot on small courtyard gardens to make them look absolutely perfect, but it would be hugely expensive (and time-consuming) to be perfect in a middle-sized garden.

2. Have you tried out a variety of growing techniques to find one that suits you and your garden?

I grow from seed, but I don’t have a greenhouse, so space is limited. I also buy plants from nurseries and market stalls, but you need 3-5 of each plant to make an impact in middle-sized beds, so the cost can add up.

3. On your blog you say that you try to garden without chemicals as much as possible. How easy have you found it? Have there been any major challenges?

It has taken me a while to realise that there is a real role for fertilisers. Vegetables and container plants need extra nutrition, above what you can provide with compost.

Otherwise, I have found that hand weeding is as effective as sprays. So I’ve increased my use of fertiliser but decreased my use of chemical weed controllers.

Once again, the challenge is that it’s difficult to be ‘perfect’ without spraying practically everything. But if you’re satisfied with ‘reasonably good’, then you can minimise your use of products.

4. Gardening is actually much more year-round than many people believe. What tips do you have for year-round gardening?

My absolute top tip is to keep gardening through the winter. There’s lots of tree and shrub pruning to be done. Dig up any plants you’re going to replace and cover the beds with compost.

Repair sheds, fences, etc. while there’s relatively little vegetation – there really are a lot of jobs you can work your way steadily through.

Then, in spring, you’ll be ahead of the game.

5. Do you try to make sure that your garden is looked after each season, from plants to garden buildings and structures?

I find there is always a corner of the garden that needs sorting. It’s like the Forth Road Bridge. But that’s OK. The great thing about gardens is that they grow, so gaps will always cover themselves up.

in focus flowers with garden behind

6. Do you have any tips for gardening on a budget?

Sow plants from seed. Swap plants with friends. Check free recycling websites for garden equipment. Make your own compost, so you don’t have to keep disposing of green waste.

7. Did you ever receive any tips from friends or family that encouraged you to try new things in the garden? If so, what were they?

Tips from friends are at the heart of my gardening. Every time someone who loves gardening comes round, we go around the garden and talk about what I could do.

My tip is to encourage gardening friends to give their opinion. And don’t worry if you don’t agree or if they sound a bit critical. Just think about whether they have a point.

8. Do you set yourself goals for what you want to achieve in the garden each month/season?

Sort of. Mostly, I’m catching up with myself.

9. Have you got any tips for quick-fixes to make your garden look tidier and more professional?

All homes and gardens look better if everything is clean and tidy.

Take a big dustbin bag round the garden and pick up every blown-about plastic pot. Sweep or pressure-wash terraces. Wash down garden furniture. Take dying plants out of pots – they’ll look better empty.

10. If there is one thing you couldn’t be without in your garden, what would it be?

The potting shed. It’s a glory hole that takes everything.

Thanks for speaking to us, Alexandra. Here at Shedstore, we also believe that potting sheds are invaluable to gardeners. Click here to view our fantastic range of potting sheds for sale and here to view our full range of gardening products.