Ruth Hayes
Ruth is a Contributing Editor for Homes & Gardens, and formerly gardening editor of Amateur Gardening magazine. She is horticulturally trained, with a qualification from the Royal Horticultural Society.
Her work for Amateur Gardening, the world's oldest weekly gardening publication, involved matching gardening tasks with each season, covering everything from sowing and planting, to pruning, taking cuttings, dealing with pests and diseases and keeping houseplants healthy. She is an expert in ornamental plants and edible crops, and everything she writes about and photographs is in her own garden, a mature plot in the south of England, that has been a work in progress since her family moved there in 2012.
Ruth's main interests are gardening for wildlife and organic gardening, as she firmly believes you don’t need to ‘nuke’ pests and problems with toxic chemicals, nor use peat composts to produce the garden of your dreams.
Latest articles by Ruth Hayes
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6 hanging basket mistakes – ensure these common errors don't ruin your seasonal displays
Get the best from your hanging baskets by avoiding these simple pitfalls
By Ruth Hayes Published
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What are the benefits of ground cover plants, and where should you use them? Our expert has the answers
These are the key reasons why no yard should be without these hard-working, versatile plants
By Ruth Hayes Published
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8 mistakes to avoid when taking plant cuttings – plus what to do instead
Avoid these common pitfalls when taking plant cuttings for successful propagation
By Ruth Hayes Published
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Pruning mistakes – 5 common errors and how to avoid them, according to a garden expert
Avoid these common pruning mistakes to ensure you have healthy trees and shrubs all year round
By Ruth Hayes Published
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Rose black spot – expert tips on how to prevent and beat this common disease
Keep rose black spot at bay with our expert advice
By Ruth Hayes Published
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Unusual compost ingredients – 10 surprising options to add to your heap
From hair to old wool socks, there are some interesting compost ingredients you might not have considered before
By Ruth Hayes Published
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How to make comfrey fertilizer – discover a natural way to boost your plants
Our expert explains why comfrey is an excellent natural fertilizer, plus tips on how to use it on your plants
By Ruth Hayes Published
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How to prune forsythia – expert tips for prolific flowering
Keep your forsythia flowering and healthy with our expert advice
By Ruth Hayes Published
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How to prune viburnum bushes – expert tips to keep them in good health
Discover how and when to complete this essential task
By Ruth Hayes Published
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How to transplant a shrub so it thrives in its new location
Our expert tips will teach you when and how to move a shrub safely and without killing it
By Ruth Hayes Published
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How do you warm up soil? Easy ways to prepare the ground for planting seeds
These simple yet effective soil warming techniques will get it ready for late winter and early spring plantings
By Ruth Hayes Published