Practical notes for people who garden
Every two weeks we send one letter about the work in the yard right now, and the choices that make the next season easier.
The address goes toward the newsletter and third-party offers, and you can drop it at any point. See our Privacy Policy.
What the letter covers
- Lawn alternatives
- Planning a second season
- Composting without a system
- Shade planting that works
- What actually needs watering
In practice
No catalogue links
Nobody pays us to mention a variety or a supplier.
Small spaces first
Containers, balconies and narrow plots get equal attention.
Failures included
What died here, and the reason, gets published alongside what worked.
Wildlife considered
Planting choices that support pollinators without becoming a project.
What an issue looks like
In this issue
- Lawn alternatives
- Planning a second season
- Composting without a system
- Shade planting that works
Plus a line or two of comment, and a one-click unsubscribe at the foot of the email.
Before you sign up
How often does the letter arrive?
Every two weeks for the letter itself. Between issues you may also get a promotional offer from one of our advertising partners.
I have shade and nothing seems to grow there.
Shade planting is one of our regular subjects. We cover which plants take dry shade, which need moisture, and how to tell the two conditions apart before you buy anything.
Can I compost without buying a bin?
Yes, and we write about it often. A working heap needs air, a mix of materials, and patience more than it needs equipment. We walk through the version that suits a small yard.
What does the letter cost?
Nothing. It is free to read. There is no paid tier, no account to set up, and no password to remember. We do not sell anything through it.
How do I stop the letter if it is not for me?
Every issue has an unsubscribe link. One click stops it, and it takes effect right away. You do not need to write to us or give a reason.
Do you know whether I read it?
We record whether issues are opened and whether links are clicked. We use that only to stop mailing addresses that never open, so we are not sending to people who have drifted away.
What happens to my address?
It is used to send you the letter and promotional offers from third-party advertisers. We never sell, rent, or trade the list, and we do not hand it to anyone.
Does signing up here save my details on this site?
Signing up records your address, the page you signed up from, your IP and the time, after you tick the consent box. Nothing else about your visit is kept.
Are there ads in the letter?
Some issues carry an offer from a third party. Those are marked as advertising, and the advertiser is responsible for its own site and claims, not us.
How often it arrives
Twice monthly, on no particular schedule.
Get the letter
Plain notes on gardens, sent every two weeks