Brighten up your borders with Clematis
One of the most rewarding sights in my garden this year has been the Clematis. Over the years I have planted a number of early and late flowering Clematis below my established shrubs which has meant that when you least expect it wonderfully coloured flowers emerge from the shrubs foliage. Not all Clematis are suitable for this treatment, try the small-flowered species which flower in early spring on last season’s growth. The stems can look a little unsightly during the winter so grow these through evergreen shrubs to disguise the Clematis stems. Once they have finished flowering carefully remove dead or damaged ...
How to become an Organic Gardener
"Take Control of What Your Family Eats Each Day" For some people, gardening is a passion. Some people garden just as a hobby. For still others, it’s a way to feed their families. We think Shirley Maclaine’s character in “Steel Magnolias” said it best. “Because that’s what Southern women do – we wear funny hats and grow things in the dirt.” You don’t have to be from the South or be a woman, or even wear a funny hat to enjoy gardening. The thrill of seeing your first red, ripe tomato or watching your first stalk ...
Harvest and Preserve your Garden Produce
Make the most of your gardens soft fruit and tree fruit my turning it into jam, cordials and preserves. You can eat your produce immediately or keep it to eat throughout the autumn and winter or you can dress them up and hand them to friends for Christmas presents. The best time to gather your fruit is on a dry day and choose berries which are just under-ripe. Lakeland have all you need to harvest, prepare and preserve your produce. Everything from the new Berry Picker through to an electric Jam Maker and the humble Jam Jar. Harvesting and Preparation made easy Berry Picker Berry Sieve Berry ...
Why Brits should consider taking their work outdoors
From humble shrubberies to outdoor offices, how the modern garden is inspiring one in three of us to work, rest and play outdoors There’s nothing better than a summer’s afternoon spent pottering around in the garden, but now it seems our gardens have an even more important role to play in our lives than first thought. New research released today shows over a quarter of us use our gardens as a retreat from the world, more so than any other area of our homes, while over a third say their outdoor oasis is where they find the opportunity to refresh and revive ...
The Top Ten Garden Pests
According to the RHS the following are the top ten garden pests in the UK. Click on the links at the end to find out more from the pages of the Royal Horticultural Society: Slugs and snails tend to be the number one problem in our gardens. Most damage happens during Spring and Autumn when seedlings, vegetables and ornamental plants are destroyed. More on slugs and snails. Harlequin Ladybird is a foreign ladybird and was unknown in Britain until 2004. Since then it has spread quickly throughout the UK eating native laybirds and other aphid predators as it goes. It is of ...
Gooseberry Sawfly
If you love to grow gooseberrys you will know the frustration of the gooseberry sawfly whose larvae can strip the leaves of gooseberry bushes. I read an article recently about an organic solution to this pest; pick a bucket of foxglove leaves and pour over two pints of boiling water, leave for two days, strain and spray on gooseberry plants before any caterpillars appear. So if you have foxgloves in your garden why not give it a try. There are a couple of other non chemical controls: Regularly check the plants from mid-April onwards for sawfly larvae and pick them off by hand. A pathogenic ...
Produce a colourful display in just a few weeks
Earlier in the year I decided to clear out a small bed which had become overgrown with conifers and ivy. I dug out the roots and added some fertiliser and waited until the weather warmed up. Over the last year or so I had accumulated a number of annual seed packets so in early June I took a small bucket, added some sharp sand and mixed all all the seeds. Then, after watering, I scattered the seeds/sand mixture over the prepared area and covered it with garden netting to keep the birds away. Within a couple of weeks the seedlings germinated and after another ...
What’s the difference between Chinese Wisteria and Japanese Wisteria?
Wisteria is a wonderful, colourful climber which is very easy to grow and has hanging, fragrant clusters of flowers during May and June Ideally Wisteria should be grown against a wall or fence with a sturdy support system in place. However, it can be grown as a tree or shrub if pruned correctly. There are two main species of Wisteris; W. floribunda or Japanese Wisteria and W. sinensis or Chinese Wisteria. Wisteria floribunda flowers in May and June with clusters of flowers reaching up to 46cm (18ins) in length. The flowers range in colour from white through pink to shades of blue and ...
The 12 Step Beginners Guide to Pruning
Not all shrubs require pruning but you may want to consider it in order to shape the plant, to encourage vigorous growth, flowering or fruit production or to remove dead, damaged or diseased material. Here is a beginners guide to pruning: Pruning is best carried out immediately after flowering to ensure a good display the following year but a general pruning in Autumn is also usual particularly for roses Always cut at a downward angle to allow rain to fall away and not sit on the cut Pruning to remove spent flower heads is always a good idea as it stops the plant spending ...
Jobs to do in July
Flower/Plants Sow biennials Divide flag irises Feed baskets and patio pots each week with liquid fertiliser Take cuttings from climbers Pinch out the tips of chrysanthemum shoots to encourage flowers Fruit/Vegetables Water early potatoes if the weather is dry Prune cordon gooseberry plants Sow outside: lettuces, radishes, spring cabbages, endives, kohl rabi, French and runner beans, spinach, turnips and beetroot Pick off damaged fruits from apples and pears Plant out sweetcorn and other crops raised under glass // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ google_ad_client = "pub-4778078756781322"; /* BlogWhite 468x60, created 15/12/09 */ google_ad_slot = "8075603395"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60; // ]]> Greenhouse Open all vents and doors early each ...
Alternative Lawns
A lush, well manicured, green lawn is most people's idea of the perfect lawn but if you are looking for something a little easier to maintain or just fancy something a bit different then why not sow a wildflower or chamomile lawn? Creating a colourful wildflower area in your garden is extremely easy and your garden will soon become a natural haven for beneficial insects as well as various species of butterflies. Wildflower Lawn A wildflower lawn is just a patch of grass that isn't cut as short as usual and where you encourage low-growing wild flowers, such as primroses, violets ...
Using a Cold Frame to extend the Growing Season
To get the most out of your garden you need to be able to shelter your plants from cold weather during the winter and early spring. A cold frame is a relatively inexpensive and simple structure providing the ideal environment for sheltering plants and for growing cool-weather crops. Cold frames do not require an outside energy source as they rely on the heat of sun making it economical as well as practical. If needed, some "hot" manure can be added beneath the compost to add some bottom heat. // < 
How should I clean my garden decking?
During this lovely time of year and after the harsh winter weather, people often ask themselves 'how should I clean my garden decking?, it's a mess'. It seems that the first few days of British summer always bring people out in numbers to the garden and the condition of their decking after the winter months is quite poor. There is also an important safety aspect for keeping your garden decking surface clean, as it will prevent the surface from becoming slippery. Cleaning and maintaining hardwood decking isn't hard and will ensure that the structure will remain in great condition for years to ...
Grow your own Saffron
Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world used in either sweet or savory dishes. It has a wonderful sweet, earthy taste and is a popular spice for rice. Saffron comes from the bright red stigmas of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus). Plant the bulbs during August in a nice sunny spot or a pot on a hot patio and they will produce lovely scented blooms during the autumn year after year. Once the flowers open look for the red ribbons dangling from the centre of the flowers, pick them carefully with a pair of tweezers and either use them in ...
Pond Plants
There are four types of pond plants: deep-water aquatics, marginals, submerged oxygenators and free-floaters. For your pond to remain healthy you will need a few plants from each type except free-floaters. Marginals: These plants grow in shallow water round the edge of the pond. They not only look good their roots use up lots of minerals which would otherwise feed algae. Examples of marginal plants include Japanese water iris (iris laevigata), the cardinal flower (lobelia cardinalis) and flowering rush (butomus umbellatus). Deep-water: These plants grow in much deeper water and should be placed at the bottom of the pond. Waterlilies are a deep-water ...
13 Steps to Building a Garden Pond
There are several points you need to consider before building your pond: Should it be formal or informal, natural or modern? Do you want to keep fish, grow plants or attract wildlife? Are there children to keep safe? Once you have answered these questions you need to decide where you want to site the pond or water feature bearing in mind the following: A pond should be kept away from big trees and shrubs so ensure their roots don't puncture the lining and to avoid leaves falling into the water. If you want to keep fish you need to have a ...
Springwatch 2010
Springwatch is returning to our screens on Monday 31 May at 8pm on BBC Two. Join Chris, Kate, Simon, Martin and Gordon for three weeks of live animal drama in glorious high definition! Once again the Springwatch team will be celebrating the best of our wildlife bringing you news and action live from across the country. As in previous years you are invited to get involved as your input makes the Springwatch programme so much more special and rewarding. For extra insight into some of Springwatch's big stories and your chance to give your views take a look at the Springwatch blog. ...
Our Plant of the Month – Euphorbia
Euphorbias are a vast genus of fully hardy perennials with about 2000 varieties. The like full sun or partial shade in light, well-drained soil. They are fast growing and flower during April and May with insignificant flowers. It is the bracts which give the colour, ranging from limey yellow to bright orange. Euphorbia require little care, just cut back the faded flower stems in the autumn. Take care when working with euphorbia as the milky sap is poisonous and can cause skin irritations. The Euphorbia in our garden is Euphorbia polychroma whose dark green, lance-shaped leaves are topped with a froth ...
The Pretty way to Compost your Kitchen Waste
If you have ever composted you will know that it is not the most glamorous of pastimes but things are about to change thanks to Lakeland. Composting is something that most gardeners feel strongly about and regularly dispose of their gardening waste in a compost bin or pile throughout the year but you don't have to be a gardener to compost. Composting is a great way to recycle kitchen scraps that would normally be thrown away with the normal household waste. You can, of course, put your scraps in bowl or bag and transfer them to your compost heap or green bin ...
Grow Your Own Vegetables
Growing your own vegetables, salads and herbs can be extremely satisfying. Not only do they taste much better than shop bought vegetables they are also cheaper and tend to provide us with more vitamins, minerals and nutrients. It is also so much more convenient to pop out to your garden than to trek down to the shops for a couple of fresh tomatoes and a lettuce. So, there's no excuse not to grow your own, you don't need a large garden or an allotment, just a few pots on the patio will do if space is limited. Preparing the Soil Digging breaks up compacted layers ...
What are we up to?
Bents Garden Centre
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!Just spent a lovely morning at Bents Garden Centre near Warrington. The weather here is better than it’s been... (more...)
Rowan Tree
Loving the Rowan Tree in our garden with it’s bright red berries ….. the magpies are going mad over them! The Rowan or Sorbus sargentiana is a slow-growing tree with large, sticky red buds... (more...)
We have cabbage whitefly
We have cabbage whitefly on the Brussels sprouts at the allotment! Here’s what the RHS has to say about what it is and how to treat it: Cabbage whitefly is a sap-feeding insect that can infest... (more...)
More Gardening Register ChatGardening News
Now is the time to replace your tired looking lawn
September and October are the best months to lay new turf, seed a lawn or carry out lawn maintenance tasks such as fertilising, topdressing and overseeding. It is important that your new, or repaired,...
Hosepipe Ban Lifted
United Utilities have lifted the hosepipe ban in the north west. This is good news in that we now have sufficient water for the region, however, we can all still do our bit and continue to save water...
Knowsley Flower Show
The Knowsley Flower Show is in the grounds of the home of the National Wildflower Centre in Liverpool and is the largest free horticultural show in the North West of England. This year is the show’s...
More Gardening NewsJobs to do Now
Jobs to do in September
Flower/Plants Prune rambling roses Cut back perennials once they have finished flowering Collect seed from perennials and store in a cool place Take cuttings of lavender Cut everlasting...
Now is the time to replace your tired looking lawn
September and October are the best months to lay new turf, seed a lawn or carry out lawn maintenance tasks such as fertilising, topdressing and overseeding. It is important that your new, or repaired,...
Harvest and Preserve your Garden Produce
Make the most of your gardens soft fruit and tree fruit my turning it into jam, cordials and preserves. You can eat your produce immediately or keep it to eat throughout the autumn and winter or you...
More Jobs to do NowQuestions and Answers
How can I keep my garden chemical free?
Question: To keep roses free from disease and bugs what can I plant with them to achieve this and make my garden chemical free. Answer: There are several points to bear in mind to reduce problems...
Weedkiller
Question: I recently got involved has a volunteer in creating a community garden for elderly people the area we have was very overgrown we have now hacked it all to the ground with strimmers etc. but...
Pampas Grass Pruning
Question: Hello, I have just moved house and inherited a large pampas grass which is approx 10 feet across and is overhanging the footpath and my driveway, it also has last seasons plumes and appears...
More Questions and AnswersPets and Wildlife
Springwatch 2010
Springwatch is returning to our screens on Monday 31 May at 8pm on BBC Two. Join Chris, Kate, Simon, Martin and Gordon for three weeks of live animal drama in glorious high definition! Once again...
Big Garden Birdwatch
This weekend, 30-31 January, is the RSPB’s biggest event of the year; encouraging people to count the birds in their garden. To tie in with this event, the RSPB are offering new adult members...
Why should you feed the birds during the winter?
Over recent years there has been a decline in the number of hedgerows in our countryside leading to a shortage of berry laden trees and shrubs. Planting shrubs and trees such as Rowans, Cotoneasters,...
More about Pets and WildlifeBuy Plants, Flowers, Seeds and lots more
Grow your own Saffron
Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world used in either sweet or savory dishes. It has a wonderful sweet, earthy taste and is a popular spice for rice. Saffron comes from the bright red stigmas...
Quirky Father’s Day Present Idea
I have come across a lovely idea for father’s day on 20th June. It is a knocker for the garden shed door; a great novelty idea! They are available from Crocus.co.uk for just £5.99 and are...
Our Plant of the Month – Euphorbia
Euphorbias are a vast genus of fully hardy perennials with about 2000 varieties. The like full sun or partial shade in light, well-drained soil. They are fast growing and flower during April and May...
Buy More Plants and Gardening ProductsGardening Articles
Brighten up your borders with Clematis
One of the most rewarding sights in my garden this year has been the Clematis. Over the years I have planted a number of early and late flowering Clematis below my established shrubs which has meant that...
How to become an Organic Gardener
“Take Control of What Your Family Eats Each Day” For some people, gardening is a passion. Some people garden just as a hobby. For still others, it’s a way to feed their families....
Harvest and Preserve your Garden Produce
Make the most of your gardens soft fruit and tree fruit my turning it into jam, cordials and preserves. You can eat your produce immediately or keep it to eat throughout the autumn and winter or you...
Gardening Articles
Do you love your garden but not sure of the best way to prune your clematis, propagate plants for next year, make the best of your lawn or produce good quality compost? If...
Mulch and Mulching
Mulching is the application of organic matter on any exposed soil between plants, shrubs and trees and should be carried out while the soil is warm and moist. Benefits of Mulching To retaining...
The Top Ten Garden Pests
According to the RHS the following are the top ten garden pests in the UK. Click on the links at the end to find out more from the pages of the Royal Horticultural Society: Slugs and snails tend to...
Gooseberry Sawfly
If you love to grow gooseberrys you will know the frustration of the gooseberry sawfly whose larvae can strip the leaves of gooseberry bushes. I read an article recently about an organic solution to...
Produce a colourful display in just a few weeks
Earlier in the year I decided to clear out a small bed which had become overgrown with conifers and ivy. I dug out the roots and added some fertiliser and waited until the weather warmed up. Over...
What’s the difference between Chinese Wisteria and Japanese Wisteria?
Wisteria is a wonderful, colourful climber which is very easy to grow and has hanging, fragrant clusters of flowers during May and June Ideally Wisteria should be grown against a wall or fence with...
The 12 Step Beginners Guide to Pruning
Not all shrubs require pruning but you may want to consider it in order to shape the plant, to encourage vigorous growth, flowering or fruit production or to remove dead, damaged or diseased material. Here...
Alternative Lawns
A lush, well manicured, green lawn is most people’s idea of the perfect lawn but if you are looking for something a little easier to maintain or just fancy something a bit different then why not...
Lawn Problems
Even after following a strict maintenance programme you may find your lawn occasionally requires additional work or succumbs to pests or diseases. Thatch Thatch is a build-up of dead bits of grass...
A New Lawn from Seed
Growing grass from seed costs a lot less than using turf but you can only really sow a lawn during April-May or September-early October. It takes 4-6 months before you have a usable lawn so it is usually...
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