Crown imperials in February? Yes, I know that you plant them in autumn and they flower in April or May. Reading about this remarkable plant in February, though, might lift our spirits as this month is often bleak, even though it’s short. Grown in Britain since before 1590 Crown imperial fritillaries (Fritillaria imperialis) come from… Read More »
Now is the time to plant hyacinths and tulips so you can enjoy their flowers in your garden in springtime. How to plant tulips Tulips don’t start to grow roots until about now, and planting them in November helps to avoid the disease known as tulip fire. They will flower from early spring to early… Read More »
Spring is now well underway and everything is growing fast, weeds included. Weeding now stops weeds getting well established. It makes all the difference! Here are six tips to help you. 1. Know your enemy A regular stroll around your garden will show you where the weeds are and where action is required. Get to… Read More »
Even if you have never made a cake in your life, with a good recipe you should be able to turn out a perfect lemon drizzle cake every time. This one addresses the most common weak spots; namely a lack of lemon and not enough drizzle. There’s nothing worse than a lemon drizzle that merely… Read More »
It’s time to spring clean your rattan garden furniture! We’re in that undecided period of the year when it’s far from clear whether it’s spring or whether it’s winter. There’s evidence on both sides. On the side of Spring – snowdrops, daffodils, birds singing, earlier sunrise, later sunset. On the side of Winter – snow,… Read More »
Get ahead of the sunshine curve When the sun is out we all want to take advantage of it – strolling, sitting, relaxing. Don’t waste time later thinking about ‘What if …?’ or ‘I wish I had …’ – get organised now and be ready! Buy one of our outdoor dining sets and receive a… Read More »
Planting your choice of bulbs now, in your choice of outdoor pots, will give you hours of pleasure as winter slowly turns into spring. And, as Christine Skelmersdale of Broadleigh Gardens says: It needs no special skills and is virtually fool proof. Prepare now – even though it feels like spring is months away! Spring… Read More »
Spring bulbs on my mind It seems a long way in the future but this is the time to order spring bulbs for planting in the autumn. I’d like my new bulbs to do two things: provide early nectar for insects after their long hibernation answer the question of what on earth I’m going to… Read More »
What is garden compost? In this post we’re talking about the compost made in a heap or bin out of garden and kitchen waste. We’re not talking about the commercially produced potting or seed compost for your seeds, seedlings and houseplants which comes in sacks from nurseries and garden centres. Phew! Glad we got that… Read More »
Do your plants need a tonic? Do you need a tonic? Sometimes everything starts to feel much too much and you begin to have that dragging feeling. Does that sound familiar? Perhaps you prescribe yourself a (gin and) tonic, begin to take some multivitamins or eat superfoods or other kinds of a pick-me-up, and then… Read More »