Jayne Dowle
Jayne Dowle is an award-winning freelance gardening, homes and property writer who writes about everything from swimming ponds to skyscraper apartments, for publications including Sunday Times Home, Times Bricks & Mortar, Grand Designs, House Beautiful and The Spectator. Awarded the Garden Journalist of the Year accolade at the Property Press Awards in 2021, she has a degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Oxford and a lifelong love of homes, interiors and gardens. Her first memories include planting potatoes with her grandfather and drawing houses. Her own garden - her fourth - at home in a 1920s house in Yorkshire, is south-facing and on the side of a valley. It’s a constant challenge
Latest articles by Jayne Dowle
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Neglect this backyard cleaning task and you could 'decrease your home's value by 20%' say property experts
Landscaping It’s hard to prevent moss and algae forming on your patio at this damp and chilly time of year, but well worth the effort, according to these experts
By Jayne Dowle Published
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Experts reveal how to make white bark trees gleam this winter
Plants It's all down to simple soap and water
By Jayne Dowle Published
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Will putting a tennis ball in a pond prevent it from freezing? Experts weigh in on the debate
Gardens This handy tennis ball hack is said to help save your fish and wildlife this winter, but do the experts think it's guaranteed to stop your pond freezing?
By Jayne Dowle Published
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10 clever L-shaped patio ideas that will transform how you design your paved space
Ideas Both functional and attractive, these L-shaped patio ideas can help you organize your backyard space efficiently with clear zones for entertaining and relaxing
By Jayne Dowle Published
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Don’t kill your poinsettia with the cold, experts warn
Plants It brightens up the dark days of December, but remember, this festive favorite isn't a fan of the cold
By Jayne Dowle Published
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Don't neglect this simple task if you want to avoid snow mold ruining your lawn, say the experts
Landscaping Allowing debris and organic matter to build up on your lawn helps provide the perfect conditions for damaging snow mold, so get out the sweeping brush now
By Jayne Dowle Published
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Don't make this mistake if your trees and shrubs are covered in snow, says this garden expert
Plants Heavy snow can be very damaging to plants, but experts reveal there are certain things you shouldn't do when trying to protect your prize specimens
By Jayne Dowle Published
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Monty Don says bubble wrap will save your plants – and save you money – this winter
Plants According to the garden expert, creating a ‘hot box’ out of this handy household staple will help your tender plants survive a cold snap
By Jayne Dowle Published
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This old-fashioned gardener’s hack will keep your plants safe from frost this winter
Plants It’s cheap and easy and could save your tender backyard plants this winter
By Jayne Dowle Last updated
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This sustainable, money-saving gift is the perfect holiday offering, say the experts
Plants If you want to save money and be sustainable this season, share your favorite plants with friends and family
By Jayne Dowle Published
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Why doing less could be better for your backyard soil, says this expert on World Soil Day
Gardens As we celebrate World Soil Day this week, there are plenty of sustainable ways to improve your own backyard dirt
By Jayne Dowle Published
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This colorful plant is a must for winter, says British garden expert Alan Titchmarsh
Plants It’s easy to find, plant and grow with little attention, so it’s no wonder this garden expert recommends super cheerful winter jasmine
By Jayne Dowle Published
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Expert reveals a simple trick for showing off your winter containers
Plants This expert garden designer recommends layering and staging containers to add shape and interest when things begin to look bare
By Jayne Dowle Published
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Queen Consort Camilla reveals she's a fan of this eccentric garden feature
Gardens Who would have thought the new Queen Consort would be a closet collector of that eccentric English garden ornament – the gnome?
By Jayne Dowle Published
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The cost of living crisis is putting exotic orchids under pressure – expert issues stark warning
Plants Rising energy bills are even affecting nurseries producing this elegant and hugely popular houseplant, but can anything be done?
By Jayne Dowle Published
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Monty Don's foolproof tip will protect these tropical plants over winter
Plants The expert gardener says tree ferns need a little extra TLC when temperatures drop
By Jayne Dowle Published
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Buckingham Palace gardener reveals the Royal secrets of this famous garden, but what next?
Gardens Now he’s custodian, everyone’s talking about how King Charles will take forward this gorgeous historic green space in central London
By Jayne Dowle Published
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Will King Charles still have time for his secret gardening skill now he's the monarch?
Gardens The new King is patron of the UK’s National Hedgelaying Society and has laid miles of hedgerow around his Highgrove estate. But will he still have time now he’s on the throne?
By Jayne Dowle Published
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The Bridgerton-inspired gardening trend that's set to be big in 2023
Gardens The New Victorian garden trend will be huge in 2023, according to a garden trends forecaster
By Jayne Dowle Published
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How the Great Crested Newt stopped King Charles in his tracks
Gardens When his Highgrove estate set out to build a new gift shop, King Charles's staff were warned that if the protected species was found, work would have to stop
By Jayne Dowle Published
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Mum's the word if you’re looking for cheap and cheerful garden color this fall
Plants Choose chrysanthemums this fall if you want an outdoor plant that keeps blooming through rain, hail, wind and snow
By Jayne Dowle Published
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Forget spring bulbs, this is the most popular fall-planted crop
Grow Your Own Easy to grow and exciting to taste, the humble garlic bulb is proving a hit with home gardeners
By Jayne Dowle Published
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Why this old-fashioned gardening tip could save your favorite plants this fall
Plants Use a stake or pole to mark out the position of gone-to-ground perennials and you’ll never dig them over by mistake
By Jayne Dowle Published
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Take a tour of America’s oldest public garden, the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, and discover its key ideas
Gardens First created in the 17th century, the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is still bursting with inspiration for plant lovers
By Jayne Dowle Published
Gardens