Mill Hill Gardens

13/08/2026

Going to be 30°C+ today, so gardening in this weather is going to be interesting! 🥵

If you’re gardening in the heat too: start early, drink plenty of water, take regular breaks in the shade and don’t push yourself when it’s too hot. A hat and sunscreen are essential, too.

The plants might be thriving… I’m not sure I will be! 😂🌱

27/07/2026

If you know, you know… 😅🌱

Spend five minutes weeding and somehow every seed in the garden ends up stuck to your fleece. By the end of the day I’m basically a walking seed packet.

The glamorous side of gardening that nobody talks about! 🌿

26/07/2026

24/07/2026

I think this might be one of the most incredible insects we get in the UK. 🇬🇧

The Hummingbird Hawk-moth hovers like a hummingbird, feeds on nectar without landing, and never fails to stop me in my tracks.

Have you ever seen one?

23/07/2026

Sometimes you’ve just got to stop and appreciate the little things… 🐝🌸

This bumblebee was making the most of my cut flowers today, and I couldn’t resist watching for a minute.

22/07/2026

Yes… I pose with cabbages now. 🥬😂

But if you’ve ever tried growing brassicas organically, you’ll know they’re anything but easy.

If it’s not the slugs, it’s the rabbits. If it’s not the rabbits, it’s flea beetles. Then come the pigeons, the cabbage white butterflies… and just when you think you’ve got them looking perfect, one of the dogs decides to walk straight over them!

So yes, I’m ridiculously proud of this cabbage. Every leaf feels well earned. 💚

Who else has won (or lost!) the battle with brassicas this year?

22/07/2026

The finished garden

22/07/2026

It was an absolute pleasure to volunteer on Carolyn’s show garden at flower show. It was a brilliant experience working as part of the team to prepare the garden before the show opened. From the final planting touches to making sure every detail was just right, it was a reminder of how much work goes into creating a show garden.

I always enjoy stepping outside my usual routine, learning new techniques and working alongside people who are just as passionate about horticulture.

Experiences like this make me an even better gardener for my own clients, and I’m already looking forward to the next opportunity.

Have you visited an RHS Flower Show this year?

14/07/2026

Hedge cutting today!

10/07/2026

Two days of harvest from my allotment. 🌿💐

A little flower-heavy this time! I’ve already harvested plenty of vegetables over the last couple of days (more than I can eat!) but forgot to film them. 🤦🏼‍♀️

There’s something so satisfying about filling a basket with food and flowers you’ve grown yourself. The dahlias are finally getting going, and they’re looking right at home alongside the veg.

I’m Cat, a gardener based in Wakefield, sharing the realities of growing your own. What’s been your favourite harvest this week?