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 back 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. However, finding ways to establish successful planting schemes and create comfortable entertaining space helps to inform her writing.
Jayne’s favourite thing to do at weekends and on vacation is to source markets and charity shops for interesting finds. She loves 20th century ceramics and collects seascapes. Her travels have taken her around the world, not only to the US, but China, Australia, Italy, France and Morocco. The design for her front garden at home, with curved terracotta walls and cobalt blue planters, was inspired by a visit to the Jardin Majorelle in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Latest articles by Jayne Dowle
-
10 superfoods you can grow easily at home - boost the health benefits of your vegetable patch
Save your money and grow your own super healthy produce at home
By Jayne Dowle
-
How to make a garden smell nice – six ways to create a fragrant garden
Garden designers share how they curate a fragrant outdoor space
By Jayne Dowle
-
What is mindful gardening? The calming practice to introduce into your weekend routine
Forget meditation, mindful gardening is the way to get your garden under control and find a little inner peace
By Jayne Dowle
-
How to make seed pots out of newspaper for free - never waste money on seedling trays again
If you're growing your own this year make sure you give this hack a go
By Jayne Dowle
-
9 reasons your seeds aren't germinating, according to gardening experts
If you're seedlings aren't growing as you hoped it could be down to one of these mistakes
By Jayne Dowle
-
Garden trends – the key looks and ideas to bring your outdoor space into 2024
We talk to gardening experts about the latest styles, colours and plants leading the pack for the year ahead
By Jayne Dowle
-
How to grow crocus sativus - expert advice on how to nurture your own mini saffron farm
The autumn flowering beauties can be grown in the UK with a little care
By Jayne Dowle
-
When to plant lily bulbs - experts reveal the perfect time
Right now is the perfect time to be planting bulbs, but if you haven't got around to it yet this is the ultimate timing cut-off to get lily bulbs in the ground
By Jayne Dowle
-
When to plant crocus bulbs - get the timing right for a glorious February display
A garden must-have if you want to treat yourself to pretty and reliable plants in February and March
By Jayne Dowle
-
How to plant bulbs - the proper technique for planting spring bulbs in borders and containers
Make sure you're garden is bursting with colour come spring by following this step-by-step
By Jayne Dowle
-
Are you making one of these outdoor living room design mistakes?
Get your outdoor living space right first time with tips from the pros
By Jayne Dowle
-
Rock garden ideas - Experts reveal the 10 best ways to add one to your garden
Modern and inspiring rock garden ideas that will add a new dimension to your garden
By Jayne Dowle
-
Composite vs wood decking – Which is the best material for your garden decking?
If you're struggling to decide between the cost and look of composite vs wood decking, we've weighed up all the pros and cos for you
By Jayne Dowle
-
Experts warn against these 10 easily avoided window box mistakes
Avoid falling for one of these critical errors
By Jayne Dowle
-
Experts warn against falling for these 10 easily avoided hanging basket mistakes
Here are the common mistakes which spell disaster for your hanging baskets, with expert advice on how to fix them
By Jayne Dowle
-
Tapestry lawns - everything you need to know about the latest lawn trend
Forget what you knew about lawns, there's a new wild trend taking them over this year
By Jayne Dowle
-
Drought-tolerant gardens - how to make this chic and practical trend work for you
Planning, planting and maintenance ideas for gardens happy to cope with even the hottest, driest summers
By Jayne Dowle
-
Garden border ideas for beautiful planting schemes all year round
Create a garden border you can be proud of with these inspiring garden border ideas
By Jayne Dowle
-
How much does a garden designer cost? Here's what to expect
We break down the cost of getting a garden designer, and evaluate whether it's worth it
By Jayne Dowle
-
Jobs to do in the garden in February – what to start planting and preparing
It might be cold outside, but there are still plenty of jobs to do in the garden this month...
By Jayne Dowle
-
New build garden ideas to fill a new outdoor space with colour and character
Stop your new build garden looking the same as your neighbours with smart planting and design ideas
By Jayne Dowle
-
Terraced garden ideas - 10 ways to create a lively multi-dimensional outdoor space
Turn a disjointed space into a beautiful tiered garden filled with smart terraced garden ideas
By Jayne Dowle