5 flowering plants for a cosy fall garden

Crocus speciosusYes, you can still enjoy these lovely plants in the fall! The crocus speciosus, or Bieberstein’s crocus, is the most popular fall crocus, with pretty, soft purple blue petals and a mustard yellow centre. The crocus is an easy plant that enjoys moist (but not wet!) soil and lots of sunshine. Fun fact: this crocus multiplies itself, so you’ll have even more flowers to enjoy next fall!CallunaThis traditional autumn plant is usually found on meadows and moors, but grows just fine in gardens as well. We know the calluna, or Scotch heather, as purple queen of the fall forest, but these days the plant can be found in many different colours. Place a few of them together in a planter or different pots for a vibrant, happy garden.ChrysanthemumChrysanthemums are available in pretty much every colour of the rainbow, and grow strong from August until November. When most flowering plants are ready to give up the fight at the end of autumn, the chrysanthemum pushes on. Go chrysanthemu

Read more ....

The Frenchie Gardener: How to grow your own on smaller surfaces

I often hear people around me saying “No, gardening is not for me” or “All my plants are dying, I don’t have a green thumb”. What if I would tell you that I was thinking exactly the same? I was visiting a gardening center to get some flowers for my balcony, like most people do in spring time. At the entrance of the shop, I saw this huge shelf full of radishes, lettuce, tomato and eggplant seeds. I stopped and looked at it for a while. “I would love to grow these, but come on Patrick, you know how this will end right?” But I had this shopping impulse buying act (probably the best one I ever had!) and I got myself some seeds, pots, soil and went back home. I was already thinking about failure, because I had some bad gardening experiences in the past. I managed to kill my aunt’s cactus in only three weeks, many of my indoor plants did not make it for long and I also remembered this basil plant from the grocery store which surely died after a few days. But I was watering it? I even tried t

Read more ....

5 Fun windowsill styling tips

Your windowsill is more than just a place for plants. It's an opportunity to bring nature indoors, add personality to your home and create a little extra privacy from the outside world. Whether you love a lush urban jungle, a minimalist look or growing your own herbs, these windowsill ideas will help you turn your window into a green eye-catcher.1. Think big, grow tallLooking for a stylish way to create more privacy? Large houseplants are your best friend. By placing tall plants in beautiful pots near your window, you can soften the view from outside while keeping your space light and airy.The elho Brussels Round is a round, and elegant plant pot that lets plants speak for themselves. Combine the pot with a large zamioculcas or strelitzia, these plants love a spot in the sun in front of the window.2. Mix and matchDo you like a slightly messy, bohemian interior and don’t mind letting your neighbours know? Use your window sill as a proud display of your style by mixing up different plant

Read more ....

Everything you need to know about having a birdhouse in your garden!

While we enjoy the scent of flowers, the green leaves on the trees and all the sounds nature has to offer, birds are looking for a safe place in that same environment. A place where they can nest, sheltered, safe and dry, and raise their young in peace. By putting up a closed or open birdhouse in your garden, you help support biodiversity. The benefits of a birdhouse in your garden:·         It makes it easier for birds to find a safe place to nest and raise their young.·         They contribute to the variety and ecosystem in your garden.·         Great tits and blue tits enjoy eating caterpillars, aphids and other insects that can harm plants. A birdhouse can therefore be a natural way to help keep pests out of your garden.·         In winter, it serves as a shelter, helping birds stay out of the cold, wind and rain. Ideal for helping them through the colder months.·         A birdhouse brings life and atmosphere to your garden. It’s a small gesture with a big impact. Not only will y

Read more ....

Growing potatoes in a pot

I have a vegetable garden of 100 m² myself. That’s by no means small, but in my opinion it’s too small to dedicate a large section to potatoes. The amount of time that part of the garden would sit unused is quite long, and I think that’s a shame. That’s why I choose to grow potatoes in a pot. A potato pot can be placed wherever you like, so make sure to put it somewhere nice and sunny.One of the biggest advantages of growing potatoes in a pot is that you can harvest them over a longer period. With a potato pot you don’t need to remove the entire plant from the pot whenever you want some potatoes. Simply lift out the inner pot and harvest only what you need at that moment. This allows you to enjoy your harvest for longer and makes growing your own potatoes even more rewarding. Another major benefit is that the risk of diseases such as Phytophthora is lower because the plant is not growing directly in open ground.Growing your own potatoes in a potato pot – step-by-step guideStep 1Choose

Read more ....

This is how you start your own vegetable garden

Plan your vegetable gardenI make a plan for my vegetable garden every year. That's always one of my first pieces of advice when people ask me how you can get more out of the vegetable garden. With a plan you have actually thought of everything before the season starts and you know what you want to do. You can also just start, because I also did this in my first year (2013). The disadvantage of that is that you often start sowing too late, you immediately start sowing outside while it's better to start indoors first and that some plants don’t have enough space to grow. A few years ago, I sow my tomato plants much too late (in May), so I was unable to harvest any tomato that year. By making a vegetable garden plan, you create a better overview, leaving you more time to enjoy the garden and to rummage in the soil. It is not for nothing that this is "My stress free zone".A plan consists of a drawing with the correct dimensions of your vegetable garden or place where you want to grow your v

Read more ....

Sowing, growing & harvesting: here’s how!

SowingHow do you get started? Fill your grow pots and/or seed tray with seed compost, sprinkle in the seeds and gently firm the soil. Then moisten the soil with a plant mister. Why use a mister instead of a watering can? A watering can can wash the seeds away, which is the last thing you want. Handy plant labels make it easy to keep track of what you're growing. Place the pots and/or seed tray on a suitable saucer and put the grow house on top. To keep the grow house nice and humid, close the ventilation sliders.GrowingTime for a move! Repotting your seedlings into a larger grow pot or growing table gives them a better environment to thrive in. Carefully place the seedlings into the soil and water them with a watering can. This is fine now, as the seedlings won’t wash away. Using a growing table? Keep using your grow house too. It gives your plants extra protection. Open and close the ventilation sliders from time to time so your plants can enjoy a fresh supply of air.HarvestingIt won’

Read more ....

Growing tomatoes in a pot

We all know tomatoes. In recent years, supermarkets have started offering more and more varieties, colours and flavours, from large beef tomatoes to small, sweet cherry tomatoes. Of course, they all have that distinctive tomato flavour, but depending on the variety, some are a little sweeter while others are slightly fresher in taste. How fun is it to grow your own tomatoes and harvest unique varieties that you won’t easily find in the shops?The good news is that you don’t need a large vegetable garden. Growing tomatoes in a pot or growing tomatoes on a balcony is easy and often results in a surprisingly generous harvest. Even if you only have a terrace, patio or sunny windowsill, you can successfully grow tomato plants. With the special tomato pot from elho, a tomato plant in a pot gets exactly the space it needs to grow healthy and strong.Ready to get started? Below, you’ll find all the steps for successfully growing tomatoes in pots.Step 1 // Start sowingIf you want to grow a tomato

Read more ....

Tips to make a small garden look bigger

How do I make my garden or balcony look peaceful?A tidy space is a happy space! One of the most effective ways of making a small garden look bigger is creating a sense of tranquillity. Just like inside your home, keeping things neat and organised can make even the smallest outdoor area feel larger. Hide items such as bicycles, rubbish bins, and toys behind a fence, a hedge, or a simple storage cabinet. Not only does this keep clutter out of sight, but it also creates a calmer atmosphere and frees up visual space.Another useful tip for making a small garden look spacious is to create harmony with colour. Too many different colours can make a garden feel busy and overcrowded. Instead, choose a consistent style and a colour palette that complements your home and outdoor space. The Vibia Campana, Barcelona, and Loft Urban collections from elho are available in a wide variety of colours, making it easy to find shades that work beautifully together and help create a cohesive look.Vertical ga

Read more ....

Collecting rainwater

Heavy rainfall and downpoursYou’ve probably noticed that in recent years, rain can suddenly come down much harder and in much larger quantities. Back gardens covered with paving quickly become flooded, and densely built-up cities with lots of basement homes can end up underwater. Everyone gets caught up in the chaos. Personally, I don’t find it that surprising. When you see and read how people sometimes treat our planet, I can understand why nature is reacting this way.If you’ve spent years trying to understand nature, for example by growing your own vegetables, you quickly realise that you can’t control it. Nature simply does what it wants. It’s messy, unplanned and unpredictable. If you’re not used to that or haven’t noticed it, I understand why it might make you frustrated. But if you do understand it, perhaps you can make small changes in your daily life that help create a difference over time.This certainly isn’t a call for attention or an attempt to push anyone towards an ultra-g

Read more ....

Getting started with your own vegetable garden even in late summer

Creating your own vegetable garden is a rewarding and therapeutic endeavor, even as summer transitions into fall. Not only does it contribute to your well-being, but it also fosters a deeper connection to nature and a heightened appreciation for the food you consume. The best part? You can embark on this journey at any time of the year. In this article, we'll guide you through the initial steps of setting up your own garden and provide insights into the tasks to tackle during the late summer months. A Garden for All Seasons Timing matters, but the good news is that starting a vegetable garden can be a year-round affair. While not all crops thrive throughout the entire year, and indoor sowing takes center stage in December, you can use our Green Basics Grow Garden .  Each month offers its own set of possibilities, even in the heart of summer, you can initiate your garden, setting the stage for a bountiful harvest in the upcoming fall or winter. Just as in summer, the fall presents an id

Read more ....

Floor Korte: Late summer and autumn in the vegetable garden

Are you still enjoying the afterglow in the vegetable garden after the holidays? Or is your head already in the autumn and you think there is nothing left to do but chores? There is still plenty of work to be done in the coming period. In this blog I will show you what you can still grow and bloom in your own vegetable garden in late summer. From indoor and outdoor sowing to tips on care. This way you can enjoy a fresh harvest all year round.Harvesting in the vegetable gardenThere is still plenty to harvest this season. Below you will find a number of varieties that can be found in my garden:TomatoesIn September there are still enough hours of sunshine for the tomatoes that are still green to ripen and turn red (or the color of the tomato variety). Heat and sun are really important with tomatoes. Are the tomatoes not yet red, but the plants are already collapsing and are they ready? Place the green tomatoes in a basket or bowl next to some other red tomatoes and you'll be fine!Zucchini

Read more ....

The Frenchie Gardener: grow tables are my partner in veggie crime

So let me explain to you why the grow tables could also become your favorite! As for every urban gardener, we all have limited space to grow so we are always looking for solutions that can both be space efficient and provide enough room to nature to grow healthy greens. The elho grow tables have this dream combination:Regarding space optimization, they have a perfect balanced size which makes them fit even on small balconies. On top of this (versus garden planters) they are surrelevated which frees up some precious floorspace to place other pots or gardening equipment underneath.In terms of volume, here again, they are providing a perfect balance of length and soil depth, offering a great overall soil volume of 56L for the grow table xxl and 96L for the grow table super xxl. This combination makes the grow tables very flexible to grow leafy greens but also root vegetables.Grow houses saved my life!Another huge advantage is that you can add a specially designed grow house to your grow t

Read more ....

How do I prepare my rain barrel for winter?

Preparing your rain barrel for winter is a simple way to help protect it during the colder months. When water freezes, it expands, which can lead to cracks or damage. That's why it's important to think about your rain barrel and frost before temperatures drop below zero.Many people ask: Should a rain barrel be emptied in winter? The answer is yes. Draining excess water helps prevent damage caused by freezing water and keeps your rain barrel in great condition for seasons to come.How to winterize your elho rain barrelOpen the tap and let any remaining water drain away. Placing a bucket or basin underneath can help collect the water.Once most of the water has drained, gently tilt the rain barrel to remove the last bit of excess water.If the tap is already frozen shut due to rain barrel freezing, carefully warm it with a hairdryer. Once thawed, you should be able to open or unscrew the tap more easily. Should a rain barrel be emptied in frosty weather?If frost is on the way, it's best not

Read more ....

These growing mediums are suitable for your elho self-watering insert!

I have done pretty much research and tested which soil types fit best in the elho self-watering insert. I now know that potting soil, pon or leca balls work best.Potting soilI prefer to work with old-fashioned potting soil myself. This has always resulted in beautiful healthy plants. Of course you can also use a mixed potting soil, for example with perlite (volcanic puffed rock that provides extra drainage) in it. A simple method, but success is guaranteed. All plants are suitable for a self-watering insert. However, I do recommend to repot your plant into a self-watering insert when you have to repot anyways, for example if your plant needs a larger pot size. This way you will not disturb your plant unnecessarily. Always choose at least one pot size bigger than the current one.Repotting to an insert is simple: You fill the bottom with a layer of potting soil and place the plant in the insert. From now on you only have to fill the insert when the indicator is in the minus!Mineral plant

Read more ....

Planters as a solution: smart tips for outdoors

Rolling green for a beautiful viewThe sun is finally shining, and you're ready to enjoy your outdoor space. The last thing you want is a distracting view of wheelie bins, a bare fence, or a less-than-beautiful wall. Luckily, greenery can transform any corner into a place you'll love spending time in.With elho planters, it's easy to create a greener and more inviting garden. The June Brick Divider is perfect for adding height and privacy with lush plants, helping to soften views and hide unwanted distractions. Thanks to the integrated wheels, you can easily move it whenever your outdoor space needs a refresh. Looking to create cosy corners or divide different areas of your garden? The Pure Cone Long offers a stylish and versatile solution that blends beautifully into any outdoor setting.Planters that bring walls and fences to lifeA plain wall or fence doesn't have to stay boring. With the right greenery, even the simplest outdoor spaces can feel vibrant and full of character.The Vibia C

Read more ....

Happy and healthy houseplants in Summer

Watering plantsNow your plants receive a lot of light and warmth, they will grow a lot. This means they will need more hydration and you will notice that the soil dries out faster. Fortunately, you can solve this easily by watering your plants more often. But be careful with giving too much water because then root rot is lurking. But how do you know what is the best amount of water to give? That is indeed not always easy, but your fingers are the best tool for this!Regularly stick your finger about 5 cm into the soil to feel whether it is dry or moist. Some plants like to dry out between watering, others prefer to stay moist all the time. As a basis, you can assume that plants with thick leaves such as the Crassula (Jade plant), Kalanchoe and the Hoya prefer a drier soil and plants with thin leaves such as the Begonia, Calathea and the Fittonia prefer a little more moisture.Watch out for bright sunJust like us, plants can be burnt by the sun. Some plant species burn faster than others.

Read more ....

Vertical gardening on your fence or balcony

Do you enjoy natural surroundings and especially the tranquillity that greenery evokes? Then you'll probably want to bring that feeling into your own outdoor space too. But what if you only have a small garden or balcony? The solution is simple: vertical gardening!A vertical garden on a fence or balcony is one of the easiest ways to add more greenery without taking up valuable floor space. Whether you dream of colourful flowers, fragrant herbs, climbing fruits, or even a vertical vegetable garden on a fence, there are countless possibilities. With the right approach, even the smallest outdoor area can become a lush and inviting retreat.In this blog, you'll discover how vertical gardening outdoors can transform your garden, fence, or balcony into a green oasis for both people and wildlife.The benefits of vertical gardening and green wallsThere are many reasons why vertical gardening has become so popular in recent years.Plants naturally absorb water and release it again through their le

Read more ....

Growing your own strawberries? Use a strawberry pot!

There’s nothing quite like picking fresh, sun-ripened strawberries from your own garden or balcony. The good news is that growing strawberries in pots is easy, rewarding, and perfect for small outdoor spaces. Whether you're planting strawberries in pots for the first time or looking for tips on caring for strawberry plants in pots, this guide will help you enjoy a delicious harvest.Planting Strawberry Plants In PotsSuccessfully growing strawberries in containers starts with choosing the right pot and soil. Fill your elho stawberry pot with a light, well-draining potting compost or a high-quality peat-free potting compost for strawberries. Mixing in a little compost can further improve fertility and support healthy growth.When planting strawberry plants in pots, place one strawberry plant in a pot and ensure the crown sits just above the soil surface. Planting too deeply can cause rot, while exposed roots may dry out and damage the plant. Whether you're planting strawberries in a dedica

Read more ....