A new year and one we can welcome with a new sense of optimism! Our gardens were so important for us last year, both for relaxation and our mental wellbeing and many of us have learnt new skills to practice this year. Enthusiasm is a great thing, but if there is one sound piece of…
The weather may be cold, wet and windy, so there will be some days when your best gardening can be done by finding a comfy chair by the fire with a cup of coffee and getting on line to order some seed and plant catalogues. You can of course do all your browsing online, but…
Patio containers can give your garden an instant boost and with a bit of care can last all summer. However, plants in containers need attention and summer is the most critical period as plants can soon run short of water and nutrients. Check the compost moisture levels daily from April to September (twice daily in hot…
Formal lawns, made of short, well maintained grass first appeared in France in the 1700s, and the idea soon spread to England and the rest of the world. Unfortunately the maintenance of these lawns was rather labour intensive and inefficient with labourers using scythes, sickles or shears to hand-cut the grass. Employing scythes-men was expensive,…
Did you know it is possible to collect 24,000 litres (5,280 gallons or 150 water butts) of rainwater from your roof each year. Rainwater is simple to collect; just divert the water from your drainpipe into a water butt or wheelie bin. There’s a huge selection of butts and rainwater systems available and many local…
It may not be the most glamorous of tasks but cleaning and repairing the greenhouse in preparation for the season’s seedlings, cuttings and plug plants is best done before you get too busy. Removing algae, moss and grime will let more light in and will also help to control pests and disease. Choose a dry…
Paddling pools become a staple piece of garden furniture for many families during the summer. Whilst these plastic blow- up pools provide plenty of fun for the kids they can also play havoc with your lawn. Many people leave their pools filled with water for days and sometimes weeks and when the pool is eventually…
Fireworks bring a sparkle to November with many of us choosing to celebrate Bonfire night from the comfort of our own homes. Whilst most of us love the colour and noise that light up the sky we do not love the aftermath in the garden. Fireworks are a reminder of the gunpowder that Guy Fawkes…
