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
- 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.