
Sophie King
Sophie joined the Ideal Home team as Gardens Editor in June 2024. Her love of writing began as a child – spending a lot of her free time crafting fairytales or writing up wildlife projects.
After studying English at Royal Holloway, University of London, Sophie began writing for Grow Your Own magazine, which spurred on her love of gardening.
Sophie's tried growing almost every vegetable under the sun, and has a soft spot for roses and dinner plate dahlias. Her favourite rose variety is ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ and she loves 'Café au Lait’ dahlias. She's also a big fan of houseplants, especially orchids – she finds it impossible to resist adding more to her collection when visiting her local garden centre!
Sophie has interviewed a myriad of incredible gardening experts throughout her career, including guest stars on The Dirt, the gardening podcast she co-hosted during her time at Grow Your Own.
As Gardens Editor, Sophie's always on the lookout for the latest garden trend. She loves sharing growing hacks for every space, from herbaceous borders to compact balconies.
When she hasn't got her hands in the soil, Sophie can be found curled up on the sofa with her cat and a good book.
IDEAL HOME TRUTHS
Where’s your happy place?
At the end of my garden, there’s a gravelled area that’s secluded behind a trellis screen with a swinging bench. It’s incredibly comfortable, and I love lounging out there in the evening, surrounded by cosy festoon lights. Honeysuckle grows along the trellis and puts out a beautiful scent when it’s in bloom during the summer, too.
What’s your home addiction?
Orchids! I’ve been obsessed with them since I was a teenager, and they make a lovely feature in my bedroom. I’m especially fond of the light pink Dendrobium varieties.
What is your next home project?
I want to continue working on my bedroom. There’s a wall I’d love to make a feature out of with some nice wallpaper, so I’ll be hunting through the catalogues to find the right design.
Latest articles by Sophie King
-
5 things that can happen if you don't clean your BBQ – from food safety concerns to grilling performance mishaps
Here's why you should regularly clean your grill
By Sophie King
-
This is how often you should be watering drought-tolerant plants in the garden, according to experts
Here's how to get it right
By Sophie King
-
How to clean a BBQ – the best ways to keep gas and charcoal grills in pristine condition
Revamp your BBQ with our step-by-step guide
By Sophie King
-
My mum used this £12 childhood toy to grow clematis, and the results were impressive – and fast!
It's my new favourite way to grow climbers
By Sophie King
-
How to grow verbena – the best ways to plant, water and prune this drought-tolerant plant for beautiful sprays of flowers
Bees and butterflies love it!
By Sophie King
-
5 simple ways to get rid of thrips in the house and garden this summer
It's thunderbug season!
By Sophie King
-
5 of the best climbing plants for shade – these flowering climbers thrive on a shady wall, fence or screen
Flowers that don't mind a lack of sunshine!
By Sophie King
-
This affordable perennial will fill your pots with flowers in no time – and make them look effortlessly expensive
We love this easy plant pot hack
By Sophie King
-
6 cottage garden plants that thrive in shade – brighten up your garden with these flowering plants and foliage
Foxgloves, hostas and more
By Sophie King
-
3 reasons your roses are falling off the plant too fast – and how to help them last longer
Maximise that blooming potential!
By Sophie King
-
5 flowering annuals that thrive on neglect for a stunning garden with minimal effort
These plants can handle a bit of tough love!
By Sophie King
-
This £3 watering indicator from Amazon is helping me keep my houseplants alive – even during the hot weather!
It's simple, affordable and effective
By Sophie King
-
7 annual flowers that don't need deadheading – these self-cleaning plants will do the work for you!
Try these low-maintenance favourites
By Sophie King
-
This is the difference between pruning shears and scissors in the garden – they’re both essentials, but they have different strengths
Here's what you'll need each of them for
By Sophie King
-
How to shade a greenhouse – 6 different ways to protect your plants from the sun
There's an option for every budget!
By Sophie King
-
Where to plant hydrangeas – get these three things right and your shrub will thrive
This is the perfect position and soil type
By Sophie King
-
5 vegetables that love full sun – these crops produce their best harvests in the sunshine, and you can plant them now
If you've got a sunny garden, you'll have a lot of success with these vegetables
By Sophie King
-
3 ways to protect your lawn in a heatwave – keep your grass healthy amid this week’s high temperatures
These tips are simple but effective!
By Sophie King
-
This is what every type of garden shade means, from full sun to deep shade, to help you work out what will grow best in your garden
Time to decode those plant labels!
By Sophie King
-
7 vegetables you can sow in summer for quick harvests and late-season crops
You can even sow some veg in time for Christmas!
By Sophie King
-
The two key soil improvers you need to know about when sowing and potting up plants – here’s how to choose the right type
They'll help you grow healthy, thriving plants
By Sophie King
-
Don't confuse a leaf blower with a leaf vacuum – this is how to choose the right one for clearing small and large gardens quickly and easily
Can't decide which one to buy? Here's what the experts say...
By Sophie King
-
This easy-to-grow (and pretty!) flower could help you keep squirrels at bay in the garden – here's how to use it
It's a brilliant all-rounder
By Sophie King
-
5 reasons you need a garden fork – it's a staple in any gardener's shed, with so many benefits
We've rounded up all of the ways you can use one
By Sophie King