Down to Earth: After darkness comes the light
24 April 2022
Down to Earth: After darkness comes the light
24 April 2022In the garden as in life, we have to go through dark times in order to see the light, writes Cambridge designer Robert Barker
Down to Earth: Embracing wildlife in the garden
06 March 2022
Down to Earth: Embracing wildlife in the garden
06 March 2022Whether you’re feeding the birds or planting your borders, instead of trying to coax exotics into your garden, embrace the species which thrive there
Down to Earth: Why it's worth following your heart
30 January 2022
Down to Earth: Why it's worth following your heart
30 January 2022When Cambridge’s Robert Barker decided to change career lanes in his 30s and become a garden designer, it was a true follow-your-heart moment
Down to Earth: Structure makes winter gardens sing
09 January 2022
Down to Earth: Structure makes winter gardens sing
09 January 2022Give your garden structure in the form of hedging and it will look lovely year-round, even in the dead, dread days of January, says Robert Barker
Down to Earth: Get a tree for the garden this Xmas
12 December 2021
Down to Earth: Get a tree for the garden this Xmas
12 December 2021Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a tree - and neither are our gardens, writes Cambridge designer Robert Barker
Down to Earth: Time to take horticultural stock
05 September 2021
Down to Earth: Time to take horticultural stock
05 September 2021If this year’s changeable weather has taken a toll on your garden, September is the month to take stock. Cambridge designer Robert Barker explains
Down to Earth: The rewards of gardening wild
13 August 2021
Down to Earth: The rewards of gardening wild
13 August 2021Don’t get too hung up on weed-free borders and stripe-mown lawns. Gardening on the wild side brings its own rewards, writes Cambridge's Robert Barker
Down to Earth: Every plant has a happy place
04 July 2021
Down to Earth: Every plant has a happy place
04 July 2021Every plant has a happy place. Find it and your garden will thrive whatever the seasons throw at it, writes Cambridge designer Robert Barker
Down to Earth: Enjoy a day out with the NGS
09 June 2021
Down to Earth: Enjoy a day out with the NGS
09 June 2021The National Garden Scheme is back and June’s the perfect month to admire someone else’s handiwork, writes Cambridge designer Robert Barker
Down to Earth: Gardens are for life, not for show
02 May 2021
Down to Earth: Gardens are for life, not for show
02 May 2021A garden doesn’t have to be fit for Chelsea Flower Show to be your happy place, writes Cambridge designer Robert Barker
Down to Earth: Spring reminds us to seize the day
04 April 2021
Down to Earth: Spring reminds us to seize the day
04 April 2021The natural beauty spring brings is a timely reminder to enjoy the moment, writes Cambridge garden designer Robert Barker
Down to Earth: How gardening helps us look forward
03 February 2021
Down to Earth: How gardening helps us look forward
03 February 2021It’s time to open a new chapter, both in life and our gardens, says Cambridge designer Robert Barker
Down to Earth: The joy of bringing outside in
25 December 2020
Down to Earth: The joy of bringing outside in
25 December 2020Seeing red both indoors and out lifts festive spirits, writes Cambridge garden designer Robert Barker
Down to Earth: Paint your plot in autumn's palette
06 October 2020
Down to Earth: Paint your plot in autumn's palette
06 October 2020Though flowers may be fading, autumn can still be a season full of colour in the garden, writes Cambridge designer Robert Barker
Down To Earth: Time to take charge in the garden
18 September 2020
Down To Earth: Time to take charge in the garden
18 September 2020While we’ve little or no control over the world outside the garden gate, taking charge of our own plots feels especially good, writes Robert Barker
Down to Earth: How gardens give us solace
19 May 2020
Down to Earth: How gardens give us solace
19 May 2020No matter the size or state of your garden, it can provide much-needed solace, says Cambridge designer Robert Barker
Down to Earth with Robert Barker
12 April 2020
Down to Earth with Robert Barker
12 April 2020Full of hope, joy and colour, spring-flowering bulbs are among nature’s greatest wonders, writes Cambridge garden designer Robert Barker
Down to Earth with Robert Barker
03 March 2020
Down to Earth with Robert Barker
03 March 2020Spring’s small pleasures - birdsong, blossom, a blue sky - are among the keys to happiness, writes Cambridge garden designer Robert Barker