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
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What trees to plant in February — 5 of the best fruit and ornamental varieties you should be planting now
It's the perfect time to plant bare-root trees
By Sophie King
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5 jobs to do in a vegetable garden in February to guarantee a year of strong, healthy crops
Your most productive vegetable garden yet? Right this way...
By Sophie King
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Sarah Raven reveals her two golden rules for dahlia success — and how to guarantee they aren’t eaten by slugs and snails
These dahlia tips could be the key to thriving plants this year
By Sophie King
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How to grow basil indoors — the foolproof way to fill your kitchen windowsill with this fragrant herb
It's a staple in the kitchen
By Sophie King
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How to repot houseplants in 5 easy steps — it's the key to thriving indoor plants
Give your indoor plants a fresh new home
By Sophie King
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Can you lay turf in February? Yes, but only under these conditions, warn lawn experts
Make sure your garden is ready for new turf this month
By Sophie King
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Don't fall for these 8 patio heater mistakes, warn experts — this is how to heat your outdoor space safely (and efficiently!)
These are the most common patio heater pitfalls
By Sophie King
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5 winter lawn care mistakes that could be damaging your grass, according to leading lawn experts
Watch out for these common winter lawn mishaps
By Sophie King
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Sarah Raven's new dahlia collection with Cath Kidston guarantees a designer-worthy cut flower garden, even for beginners
Choose from five beautiful collections
By Sophie King
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What is crop rotation? The secret expert gardeners use to guarantee a successful bumper crop of vegetables every year
It's the key to vegetable garden success
By Sophie King
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How to chit seed potatoes — 4 simple steps, and why gardening experts say it's key to bumper harvests
Grow more gardener's gold than ever before
By Sophie King
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I was sceptical, but these expert-approved plants and flowers convinced me that Mocha Mousse, Pantone's Colour of the Year, is the perfect colour for gardens
These are the best varieties for coffee and chocolate tones
By Sophie King
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Are greenhouses worth it? 5 of the best benefits for your most productive garden yet
We've weighed up the pros and cons of buying a greenhouse
By Sophie King
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Are heated propagators worth it? 3 reasons you should buy one before spring
Squeeze everything out of this gardening year...
By Sophie King
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Experts reveal the most active garden pests to watch out for in winter — and how to keep them at bay
What's chewing your garden shed?
By Sophie King
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How to grow a Christmas tree from a cutting — 5 simple steps to a free Christmas tree
Simon Akeroyd's expert advice
By Sophie King
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11 garden trends predicted to rule the gardening world this year, from weather-resilient gardens to heirloom vegetables
Get ready for 2025's biggest garden trends
By Sophie King
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Should you mist plants in winter? Here's why you shouldn't skip this important care tip
Hold onto that plant mister...
By Sophie King
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How to remove ice from a driveway – and the one method experts say you should never do
What you should and shouldn't use to defrost your paving
By Sophie King
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What to sow in January – 5 vegetables and flowers to start now for spring harvests and blooms
Crack open that seed tin and get started!
By Sophie King
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Do houseplants go dormant in winter? Here's what happens to indoor plants during the colder months
To snooze or not to snooze? We asked the experts...
By Sophie King
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What to do with a wreath after Christmas — 8 creative ways to preserve, reuse and recycle real wreaths
Wondering what to do with a fresh flower and foliage wreath after Christmas? Take a look at these ideas...
By Sophie King
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When to take hardwood cuttings — experts reveal the best time to start propagating new plants for free
Free plants? Right this way...
By Sophie King
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How to grow indoor azaleas — a complete guide to beautiful winter blooms, from watering to deadheading advice
Indoor azalea 101 — everything you need to know for flourishing houseplants
By Sophie King