Frequently Asked Questions
At Scotland Grows, our purpose is simple: to celebrate, inform, and connect Scotland’s gardening community through trusted, useful, and engaging gardening content with Scotland firmly at its heart.
We believe Scotland deserves gardening coverage that reflects the places where we actually garden, the conditions in which we grow, and the people who make our horticultural community what it is.
Scottish Gardening at Our Heart
Scotland Grows is a Scottish gardening magazine and podcast, not simply a gardening magazine and podcast published in Scotland.
Our content has a clear relevance to gardening in Scotland, whether through our climate and growing conditions, our gardens and landscapes, our people and organisations, our events and horticultural heritage, or the communities that garden here.
That doesn’t mean every plant, person, or idea we feature has to originate in Scotland but we always consider what it means for gardeners growing here.
Trusted, Practical Advice
Our readers should be able to trust the information they find in Scotland Grows. We work with experienced gardeners, horticulturists, growers, designers, writers, and other knowledgeable contributors to provide practical, seasonally appropriate advice.
Expertise matters, but gardening knowledge should never feel exclusive. We aim to make our content useful and accessible whether you’ve been gardening for 40 years or have just bought your first packet of seeds.
People as Well as Plants
Gardening is about much more than plants. We celebrate the people who make Scottish horticulture what it is, from professional horticulturists, garden designers, growers, broadcasters, and nursery owners, to volunteers, community gardeners, allotment holders, charities, gardening groups, and passionate individuals doing remarkable things in their own corner of Scotland.
A famous name doesn’t automatically make a story more important. Sometimes the most interesting gardening stories are happening quietly in gardens and communities that deserve a wider audience.
Gardening Is for Everyone
There is no single type of Scotland Grows reader, and there is no single type of Scottish garden.
You might have several acres, an allotment, a suburban back garden, a shared back court, a balcony, a doorstep, or a collection of pots on a windowsill. If you grow something, you garden.
We aim to reflect different levels of experience, different kinds of growing spaces, and the enormous variety of gardening that takes place across Scotland.
Independent Editorial Judgement
Our readers come first.
Editorial coverage is chosen because we believe something is useful, interesting, inspiring, entertaining, or worth knowing about, and we welcome news, ideas, products, events, gardens, people, and projects for consideration, but inclusion is always at the Editor’s discretion.
Positive, But Credible
Scotland Grows was created to celebrate all that is good in Scottish gardening, and positivity remains an important part of who we are.
We aim to publish accurate, responsible, and credible information, and we do not knowingly publish misleading claims. Where appropriate, we check facts, question information supplied to us, and distinguish between editorial opinion and established fact.
Gardening Beyond the Garden
We believe gardening matters. It can support wellbeing, encourage wildlife, produce food, bring communities together, connect generations, protect horticultural knowledge, encourage creativity, and strengthen our relationship with the natural world.
That’s why the pages of Scotland Grows aren’t only about what to plant and when. They are also about why we garden, the places in which we garden, and the people we meet along the way.
Where Scottish Gardeners Gather
Above all, we want Scotland Grows to be a place where Scotland’s gardeners can recognise themselves. A place to learn from trusted voices, discover new ideas, celebrate Scotland’s gardens and gardeners, and hear stories from across our horticultural community.
Wherever in Scotland you garden, whatever you grow, and however much space you have, you are part of the #ScotlandGrows community.
Scotland Grows: Where Scottish Gardeners Gather.
What our readers say…
“Subscribed and sat reading Issue 6 with a cuppa. Delightful having an entire magazine that is well-written and focussed on Scottish growing. Can’t wait until the kids go to bed so I can read the back copies.“
Alienna Tennyson
“In a time when climate change is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, an innovation like this which has to be as close to net zero as possible is surely a winner!”
Helen Rushton
“At last a magazine for us Scottish gardeners!“
Growing a Scottish Garden
“On behalf of the members of Busby & Clarkston Horticultural Society, may I say our members enjoy your Scotland Grows magazine immensely.”
Fergus Cumming
“Creativity in launching an eco-friendly online magazine that is 100% focussed on the requirments of its growing readership. Articles are informative, helpful, well written and inspiring.
Already generated discussions with our community so a ‘virtual’ magazine has physically brought people together – a great success for a new publication!“
Gordon McIntosh
“Just what Scottish horticulture needs. The more means we celebrate our diverse gardens, gardeners and our whole industry, the better.
I am really proud of it, massive congratulations to all the team! A proper celebration of Scottish gardening well written! Looking forward to the next issue!“
Brian Cunningham, Beechgrove Garden Presenter & Head Gardener at Scone Palace
“Hi, loved the first edition, thank you! I have longed for a magazine that wasn’t written for English climates and soils but for our different climate.”
Yvette Jones
“This online gardening magazine allows me to stay in contact with what is happening in my native Scotland. Now living in New Zealand I love the articles and photos. Gives me lots of ideas for presents for friends and family.”
Anthony McGlennon
“A truly unique product – no other gardening magazine is so specific to Scotland. It arrives regularly in my inbox, packed full of great advice and well edited content – it’s really inspired me!”
Anne Simpson
“Nice to see that there is a magazine tailored to Scottish gardens!”
Edible Gardens
“I’m really excited about the magazine as it’s exactly what we need in Scotland!”
AJR Greenspace
“What a really enjoyable and well produced magazine.
Mike Rossi
Thank you!”
“A magazine that finally promotes Scottish gardening and the growing conditions we face! This online mag is excellent!
Elizabeth Schofield
“This is a really innovative approach in garden journalism. Completely paperless magazine and the only one dedicated to Scotland, bringing Scottish gardeners together to share ideas specific to Scotland’s growers, and growing a sense of community.”
Tracy Crawford
“We so hope the Scotland Grows team get all the recognition they deserve for creating such a brilliantly innovative product which has revitalised the Scottish gardening market!”
Daniel Doherty