Down to Earth: What to look for in the November garden
27 October 2023
Down to Earth: What to look for in the November garden
27 October 2023November may bring damp days and dark nights, but there’s delight to be found in the garden
Down to Earth: Trees can’t fail to attract attention in autumn
10 October 2023
Down to Earth: Trees can’t fail to attract attention in autumn
10 October 2023“Whether you are present enough to appreciate trees and nature all year round or not, it is hard not to take notice during autumn. . .”
Down to Earth: Why September is time to take stock in the garden
07 September 2023
Down to Earth: Why September is time to take stock in the garden
07 September 2023In the wake of fickle summer weather, September is the time to take stock in the garden, says Cambridge designer Robert Barker
Down to Earth: How to make your garden truly family-friendly
07 August 2023
Down to Earth: How to make your garden truly family-friendly
07 August 2023The school holidays call for a child-friendly garden. It’s wise to make changes temporary, though, says Cambridge designer Robert Barker
Down to Earth: Reset your garden for summer’s heat
21 July 2023
Down to Earth: Reset your garden for summer’s heat
21 July 2023Instead of resenting summer’s hear, we need to reset both our minds and our gardens and make the most of it, writes Cambridge designer Robert Barker
Down to Earth: Why June is time to stop and smell the roses
29 May 2023
Down to Earth: Why June is time to stop and smell the roses
29 May 2023With gardens reaching their peak in June, now’s the time to sit back and admire their beauty, says Cambridge designer Robert Barker
Down to Earth: Waking up to the miracle of spring
19 April 2023
Down to Earth: Waking up to the miracle of spring
19 April 2023"April is when spring hits us in the face like a splash of cold water and our hibernating senses wake up," writes Cambridge designer Robert Barker
Down to Earth: Time to give the garden some TLC
05 March 2023
Down to Earth: Time to give the garden some TLC
05 March 2023Instead of making grand plans as spring begins, it's time to give your pots and borders some simple TLC, writes Cambridge designer Robert Barker
Down to Earth: Follow nature's example and go slow
22 January 2023
Down to Earth: Follow nature's example and go slow
22 January 2023Instead of resenting January’s quiet days, enjoy the small, simple pleasures a winter garden can bring, writes Cambridge designer Robert Barker
Down to Earth: Plant carefully for festive colour
21 December 2022
Down to Earth: Plant carefully for festive colour
21 December 2022lant carefully and your plot can be full of colour come Christmas, writes Cambridge designer Robert Barker
Down to Earth: Bringing outside in is good for you
06 November 2022
Down to Earth: Bringing outside in is good for you
06 November 2022Late autumn’s glowing colour palette can lift spaces and spirits, writes Cambridge garden designer Robert Barker
Down to Earth: A garden should be for all seasons
11 October 2022
Down to Earth: A garden should be for all seasons
11 October 2022A good garden shouldn't become dull and boring come autumn/winter. Pick the right plants and your scheme will shine, says Cambridge's Robert Barker
Down to Earth: How to deal with garden drought
03 August 2022
Down to Earth: How to deal with garden drought
03 August 2022Summer’s hot, dry days can wreak havoc in our gardens. The solution? From irrigation to mulching, the secret is to be prepared
Down to Earth: Lawns aren’t the be-all and end-all
09 July 2022
Down to Earth: Lawns aren’t the be-all and end-all
09 July 2022Lawns are lovely, but they aren’t the be-all and end-all of a good garden design, as Cambridge’s Robert Barker reflects
Down to Earth: Plant a legacy for the Jubilee
05 June 2022
Down to Earth: Plant a legacy for the Jubilee
05 June 2022For Cambridge garden designer Robert Barker, the Queen’s Jubilee is a prompt to plant a legacy for the planet, whether woodland or wildflower meadow
Down to Earth: May will always be Chelsea month
23 May 2022
Down to Earth: May will always be Chelsea month
23 May 2022For Cambridge garden designer Robert Barker, May brings back memories - of the whirlwind that was his Chelsea debut
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
