Since 2011 I have kept a long running post detailing the plants in my garden in St. Helens. My new garden in Cheshire was very overgrown when I moved in so most of it was removed or pruned hard during autumn 2015. The progress of the “re-build” of the garden can be found in my post Dove Cottage Garden but here I will give details of the planting along with links to the actual plants on external websites. Front Garden The […]
In June this year (2015) I moved from my four bedroomed, modern detached house, home for 16 years, to a three bedroomed cottage in a small village in Cheshire. I have dreamed for most of my adult life of a home in the countryside and after many false starts I finally managed to fulfil my dream. The new house is called Dove Cottage and is, in fact, a good, solid, three bedroomed house with small front and back gardens, there is […]
A photographic diary of the progress on our Allotment in Knotty Ash, Liverpool. August 2016 Yet another year had gone by without any entries about the allotment! The main reason for this is that we didn’t really change anything this year. We planted seed potatoes in black plastic bags to keep them out of the ground which has resulted in eel worm in the past. The harvest wasn’t very good in terms of overall weight but we got a few […]
A good night’s sleep – not only is it something we need, it’s something we crave. If you often find yourself awake, tossing and turning at night despite yearning for sleep, you’re not alone: according to the National Sleep Association, between 50 and 70 million US adults suffer from a sleep disorder. In fact, lack of sleep is such a prevalent issue that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently called insufficient sleep a “public health problem.” Several factors can keep us […]
Recent research has presented some interesting facts about the health benefits of house plants. For example, the pineapple plant has been found to improve air quality and reduce snoring whilst leaves from the feverfew have been proven to prevent headaches. Even looking at plants has been shown to lower pain levels and improve our mood. Many homeowners don’t realise that their homes could be polluted indoors too. Mould, paint and certain types of cleaning products can release harmful fumes. These are […]
How can you water your garden in the most efficient manner? For one, we don’t want to over water the garden and create puddles all around. Second, homeowners don’t want to pay for excessive water use. Here, we present to you some smart watering tips for your garden. Collect and Reuse Water One of the best ways to reduce your water bill is to reuse water. For example, you could use rainwater landing on the roof by installing a water […]
Spalding Plant & Bulb Company have set a challenge to find the best Spring Flowering Bulb Display for the patio using just five types of flowering bulb. The display I have in mind would suit a large round patio tub or container at last 40cm deep and should be placed in full sun to enjoy during April and May. If you don’t have a round container the display would work in a square or oblong as long as you remember to plant the […]
Waste Not Want Not: The Best Ingredients for Your Compost Bin Gardening is not just the art of cultivating good plants but also of cultivating good soil. And the answer to good soil lies in compost: a rich source of nourishment made from home waste. 1.6 million households in the UK create their own compost in this way. And whilst it’s popular and an easy means to achieve good soil, there is a skill involved. To create a dark, crumbly, […]