JD
Jessica Dunn
Kitchen Garden & Wildlife Editor
Runs a productive small kitchen garden - greenhouse, four raised beds and an unreasonable number of tomato varieties - and shares it happily with the birds, bees and one very bold hedgehog. Covers grow-your-own, composting, wildlife gardening and the watering kit that keeps it all alive through a British summer. Believes every garden, however small, can feed somebody - even if it's the robin.
Articles by Jessica Dunn
- Greenhouse Shading: Blinds, Mesh and Paint to Beat Summer ScorchBeat summer heat & protect crops with smart greenhouse shading—discover how blinds, mesh & paint can slash temperatures and boost plant health.
- The Best Automatic Watering Timers and Tap ComputersTired of overwatering or forgetting your garden? The best automatic watering timers take the guesswork out, keeping plants thriving effortlessly.
- How to Grow Blueberries in Pots With Ericaceous CompostDiscover how to grow juicy blueberries in pots using ericaceous compost to create the perfect acidic environment for a thriving, fruit-filled harvest.
- Greenhouse Glass vs Polycarbonate: Which Should You Choose?Choosing the right glazing can make or break your greenhouse. We compare glass and polycarbonate on cost, insulation, and durability to help you decide.
- How to Grow Chillies From Seed on a UK WindowsillGrow fiery chillies at home with just a windowsill and some patience — no greenhouse needed. Here's how to get started from seed in the UK.
- How to Get Rid of Rats in the Garden Without Harming WildlifeDiscover smart, wildlife-safe strategies to banish rats from your garden—protecting your plants and local ecosystem without harmful chemicals or traps.
- Sprinklers and Oscillating Systems for Watering the Whole LawnDiscover how the right sprinkler system can transform your lawn care routine, delivering efficient, even coverage that keeps every inch lush and green.
- The Most Amazing Things You Can Grow in Pots – Even Without a Proper GardenForget needing a garden—your balcony or windowsill can grow tomatoes, herbs, even dwarf fruit trees. Small space, big harvests await!
- How to Create a Wildlife Garden That Actually Attracts Hedgehogs, Bees and ButterfliesTransform your garden into a wildlife haven! Discover simple, proven tips to attract hedgehogs, bees & butterflies right to your backyard.
- Grow Your Own Sunday Dinner: Potatoes, Carrots, Peas and MoreDig into garden-to-table magic! Learn how to grow classic Sunday dinner staples like potatoes, carrots, and peas right in your own backyard.
- The Fastest-Growing Vegetables: 12 Crops You Can Harvest in WeeksGrow food fast! These 12 vegetables go from seed to harvest in weeks, perfect for impatient gardeners craving quick, homegrown results.
- Raised Bed vs Greenhouse vs Pots: Where Should You Grow Your Vegetables?Discover which growing method maximizes your harvest—raised beds, greenhouses, or pots—and find the perfect fit for your space, budget, and veggie goals.
- What Vegetables Should You Plant Each Month? A Complete UK Growing CalendarGrow a thriving veg patch year-round with our month-by-month UK planting calendar—discover exactly what to sow, plant, and harvest each season.
- Small Garden, Big Harvest: 12 Vegetables That Produce an Incredible Amount of FoodMaximize every inch of your garden with these 12 powerhouse vegetables that deliver jaw-dropping yields—even in the tiniest spaces.
- The Best Tomato Varieties to Grow in the UK – 15 Types Worth TryingDiscover 15 top tomato varieties perfectly suited to the UK climate, from sweet cherry types to hearty beefsteaks, guaranteed to thrive in your garden.
- How to Grow Tomatoes That Actually Taste Amazing: From Seed to Summer HarvestDitch bland supermarket tomatoes forever—learn the expert secrets to growing sun-ripened, flavor-packed tomatoes right in your own backyard.
- 10 Vegetables That Practically Grow Themselves – Perfect for Beginner GardenersDiscover the easiest vegetables to grow with minimal effort—perfect for beginners who want a thriving garden without the guesswork!
- How to Plant a Container Pond and Attract WildlifeTransform any small space into a wildlife haven! Learn how to create a stunning container pond that attracts frogs, birds & insects in just a few simple steps.
- How to Choose and Site a Wildlife Log Pile or Bug HotelBoost biodiversity in your garden by learning expert tips on placing and building the perfect log pile or bug hotel to attract beneficial wildlife.
- Greenhouse Watering Made Easy: Capillary Mats and Auto SystemsDitch the daily watering grind! Discover how capillary mats and automated systems keep your greenhouse thriving with zero guesswork.
- The Best Self-Watering Planters for Holidays and Hot SpellsKeep your plants thriving while you're away! These top self-watering planters deliver hydration automatically, surviving holidays and heatwaves with ease.
- Vine Weevil: Spotting the Damage and Stopping ItTiny grubs, massive destruction—vine weevils silently devour plant roots before you notice. Learn to spot the signs and stop them fast.
- Cloches, Fleece & Mini Polytunnels: Cheap Frost Protection That Actually WorksShield your crops from frost with cloches, fleece & mini polytunnels—simple, affordable tools that extend your growing season and protect tender plants.
- Raised Bed Soil: How Much to Buy and What to Fill It WithDiscover the perfect soil mix for thriving raised beds—plus a simple formula to calculate exactly how much you need so you never over or underspend.
- The Best Greenhouse Staging and Shelving for Maximising SpaceStruggling with greenhouse clutter? Discover the best staging and shelving solutions to maximise every inch of space and boost your growing potential.
- Choosing a Garden Hose and Reel That Won't Kink or CrackTired of fighting tangled, leaky hoses? Discover expert tips for choosing a durable garden hose and reel that stays kink-free season after season.
- The Best Drip Irrigation Kits for Beds, Pots and GreenhousesDitch the watering can—these top-rated drip irrigation kits deliver precise hydration to every plant, saving you time, water, and guesswork.
- Building a Cold Frame: Plans, Kits and What to Grow in ItExtend your growing season year-round with a cold frame! Discover DIY plans, ready-made kits, and the best crops to thrive in this simple garden structure.
- Hedgehog-Friendly Gardens: Houses, Hedgehog Holes and HazardsDiscover how simple garden tweaks—like hedgehog holes and cozy shelters—can turn your outdoor space into a haven for these spiky, pest-munching heroes.
- Water Butts & Rainwater Harvesting: Cut Your Watering BillsDiscover how collecting rainwater with a simple water butt can slash your garden watering costs and help the environment year-round.
- Squirrel-Proof & Seed-Specific Bird Feeders for a Wildlife-Rich Autumn GardenTransform your garden into a wildlife haven! Discover the best bird feeders and tables to attract stunning species right to your doorstep.
- Raised Beds That Make Growing Veg EasierDiscover how raised beds transform your veg patch—better drainage, less weeding, and bigger harvests with half the effort.
- Slugs and Snails: What Actually Works to Stop ThemForget the myths—discover which slug and snail deterrents are backed by science and which ones are simply wasting your time and money.
- Compost Bins Compared: Tumblers, Daleks and Hot BinsDiscover which composter reigns supreme—fast-heating tumblers, classic Daleks, or insulated Hot Bins—to turn your kitchen scraps into garden gold faster.
- Greenhouses for Small Gardens: Lean-To and Mini OptionsMaximize your small garden's potential year-round with space-saving lean-to and mini greenhouses—big growing power without the big footprint.
