Bloom Magazine UK

There’s nothing like being under the sun. Bask in it long enough and you’ll reach that beautifully languid state in which limbs sink heavy and all thoughts melt away. It’s not always a given, but summertime is our best chance to experience this bliss

Editor in chief Zena Alkayat Editor Laura Nicolson Art director Sarah Pyke Sub editor Euan Ferguson Writers Fran Bailey Dan and Josh Benson Eleftherios Fitsiolos Monika Kalinowska Bex Partridge Sonya Patel Ellis Claire Ratinon Vivienne Rickman-Poole

Whether your bushes are going into the soil or into a pot, a bit of ericaceous (acidic) compost will help them as they like this side of the soil pH spectrum. To get the plants well established, they will need regular watering – so don’t forget. It s

Observe the natural ecosystem, and how it changes throughout the seasons, and work with your garden’s natural strengths such as water sources or sheltering trees. You might notice the bees are particularly enjoying a patch of dandelions, and decide t

Whether you have a blank canvas, or are trying to renovate an established border, taking time to prepare thoroughly is important. Firstly clear the site – even established borders benefit from lifting out some perennials (which you can move or gift).

Remove the seeds from the chillies and plant the seeds one inch deep in a pot of well-watered compost. Reuse a sandwich bag to cover the pot, poking in a few air holes – secure with an elastic band. Keep moist in a warm sunny spot – pop on top of a h

The humble yet powerful earthworm is often portrayed as a lowly creature, but it hasn’t always been this way. Four thousand years ago Cleopatra declared them sacred: killing or exporting one was a crime punishable by death, for fear of offending the

The aromatic leaves were used as a culinary herb, and also used to staunch bleeding of wounds (soldiers were said to carry it into battle). A perennial with flat heads of many tiny white or pink flowers, yarrow likes a sunny position. This purple-flo

Polytrichum formosum Common in coniferous forests and Japanese moss gardens, bank haircap likes nutrient-rich hard surfaces such as rock shelves. It grows up to 10cm tall. Dicranum majus Found in moist and wet coniferous forests throughout the UK. In

1 Remember to keep picking your sweet peas to stop them from going to seed (and remove seed pods when you spot them). 2 Continue sowing rows of salad leaves as you harvest – and there’s still time to get some other veg in the ground too (see page 37

What’s your first memory of being outdoors? My dad was a gardener, so as soon as I could walk I was out helping – or more likely hindering – in the hundreds of different gardens he worked in. Most of the time I was left to explore the overgrown corne