This archive brings together practical, experience-led articles from The Backyard Farmer, covering gardening, DIY, indoor growing, foraging, reviews, and sustainable living. Each post is written with real-world use in mind — focusing on working with nature, building practical skills, and making sustainable choices more accessible.
How to get rid of ground elder is a challenge many gardeners face. Originally introduced to the UK by the Romans as a food source, it has since become a relentless invader in many gardens. Thanks to its aggressive underground rhizomes, it spreads quickly, creeping
In this article, we will look into hydrangea plant care and pruning. You can find Hydrangeas in the UK in many gardens, and it is easy to see why. The hydrangea plant produces huge and beautiful flowers throughout most of the year. British gardens will
Introduction: When to Prune Roses in the UK Want your rose bushes to bloom big and healthy each summer? It all starts with good timing. In the UK, the best time to prune most roses is late winter, from January to early March, just before
There is lots of talk around whether you cut wet grass and the simple answer is yes – However, there are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to cutting grass when wet. We will go through them in this article, by the end you
Introduction to Growing your own Chillies Learning how to grow chillies from seed indoors is easier than you might think—and it’s one of the best small-space gardening projects for UK homes. Whether you’re using a sunny windowsill or a simple LED grow light, you can
Bug hotels provide nesting and sheltering spaces for solitary bees, beetles, ladybirds and other beneficial garden insects. They can be built from simple materials such as untreated wood, hollow stems, bark, dry leaves and old bricks, many of which you may already have in the
Introduction Banana peel fertiliser has become a go-to method for gardeners looking to reuse kitchen scraps and boost plant growth naturally. While banana peels were once tossed straight into compost bins, they’re now gaining attention as a stand-alone, DIY fertiliser. Often referred to as “banana
Is Dandelion Tea Good for You? Benefits, Side Effects & How to Brew It Dandelion tea — whether made from the root, leaves, or flowers — has been a staple in traditional herbal medicine for centuries. Today, it’s still enjoyed as a comforting, caffeine-free herbal
Yes, you can make money growing plants in the UK, but for most people it works better as a bit of side income than a full-time wage. The easiest place to start is usually not with unusual “high-value” crops. It is with simple plants people
What this article will cover: How to make a small batch of jam in 30 minuites Ingredients: What you will need: Pair your delicious homemade jam with the perfect flapjacks—learn how in our guide on How to Make the Best Flapjacks. Directions Where can I
How to grow a Herb Garden for beginners This article will teach you what you need to set up a herb garden – a simple, easy and rewarding way to get into growing your food. We will look at what a herb garden is, the
Have you wanted to get stuck into foodscaping but you’re not sure how? Well the Backyard Farm is a great place to start. This blog was built from my experience of getting started with foodscaping with very little knowledge to begin with. Some ways to