Mary Berry has shared a number of gardening tips over the years, but there’s one piece of advice she believes is the ‘most important’ – and an expert agrees.
Mary Berry urges gardeners to do 1 simple task for flowers to grow better(Image: Getty)
Mary Berry has spent decades showing the nation how to perfect their bakes, but her passion for gardening runs just as deep. With her forthcoming memoir, My Gardening Life, set to hit shelves on February 26, the former Great British Bake Off star is revealing the wisdom she’s gathered from years spent tending her plots.
Having served as a Royal Horticultural Society ambassador since 2014, Mary Berry has described gardening as “the second great love of her life”.
To assess whether Mary Berry’s horticultural guidance holds up to scrutiny, Patrick Martin, proprietor and gardening specialist at Frantoio Grove, a California-based regenerative olive farm, has examined some of Mary’s most widely circulated gardening recommendations. Patrick suggested that Mary Berry’s gardening philosophy centres on several fundamental techniques, most of which are backed by solid horticultural research.
That said, he observed that certain tips could benefit from additional detail, especially regarding deadheading.
Among the topics Mary Berry addressed in her book is the significance of deadheading, emphasising it extends beyond just roses, reports the Express.
One of the things that Mary Berry spoke about in her book is the importance of deadheading (Image: Getty)
She said: “I think the most important thing is to deadhead. We always think of just deadheading roses. But of all the other plants, the more you deadhead, the more you encourage growth.”
The specialist confirmed that “she’s right”, as when plants bloom, their natural objective is reproduction. Once a flower starts to fade and seeds begin to form, the plant shifts its energy from blooming to seed production.
Deadheading disrupts this process, encouraging many plants to sprout fresh blooms.
Patrick confirmed: “It’s one of the simplest ways to extend your flowering season. For plants like petunias, marigolds, zinnias, and dahlias, regular deadheading can mean weeks of extra colour.”
Deadheading foxgloves too aggressively can prevent them from reproducing naturally(Image: Getty)
However, whilst Mary’s passion for deadheading is commendable, the “more is better” mentality doesn’t always hold water.
Certain plants, such as foxgloves, hollyhocks, and forget-me-nots, depend on self-seeding to reappear the following year. Overzealous deadheading can hinder their natural reproduction.
Others, like hydrangeas and sedums, develop decorative seedheads that lend a touch of winter charm to the garden. Snipping off spent blooms too soon robs you of months of visual delight.
Patrick advised: “Before you reach for the secateurs, it’s worth knowing whether that plant is meant to reseed or whether those dried heads are part of the show, as blanket rules can backfire.”
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