Acer palmatum ‘Aureum’ Acers (Japanese Maples) come in all shapes and sizes. The word ‘palmatum’ means ‘five leaves’ – like the palm of a hand. Some cultivars have very finely ‘cut’ leaves, and they will be more prone to scorching and drying out in the wind. Always place your Acer in a partly shady spot …
At this time of year, if you’ve got a raised bed in your garden for growing vegetables, chances are you follow a “no dig” method of gardening, in which case it’s time to add your new organic layer to bed in before you plant your spring veg. There’s no better way to do this than …
I’m about to talk dirty to you – (but it’s not what you think!) Read More »
You bought the wrong plant for your soil, aspect, moisture level, or pH level – here’s how to know soil comes in three broad types – clay, silt and sand. Clay can be identified by how ‘claggy’ the soil is – does it turn into a quagmire in the rain, and hard as rock in …
Three reasons why all of the plants you bought at the garden centre died Read More »
As Autumn sets in and the trees begin to turn from green to brown and drop their seeds in many different forms, the flower beds are changing too. It might be tempting to clear all the dead clutter and dig over afresh, but STOP. There’s huge value in waiting; and a large part of that …
Hedgehogs are in decline in the UK and as an essential part of our ecosystem both wild and suburban, it’s important that gardeners make efforts to welcome their presence in the garden. I’ve gathered up a few of the best ways to encourage these charismatic creatures to your garden – and make them happy enough …
Three ways to attract hedgehogs to your garden (and keep them there) Read More »
On the surface of it, it’s hard to see how you can eliminate plastic from your garden. Plastic pots, planting labels, seed trays…the range of plastic items available from garden centres is overwhelming. However, with a little forethought it is possible to minimise, if not fully eliminate, plastic from your garden. Why not have a …
Plastic Free July – How to go plastic free in your garden. Read More »
If you’re a gardener you’ve probably seen or heard of No Mow May. The organisation Plantlife promotes the scheme, which encourages gardeners or any lawn-custodians such as local councils, to put the mower in the shed for the whole month. This is to help the natural grasses and flowers flourish, and is also vitally important …
No Mow May – Give the mower a miss – your garden will thank you Read More »
One of the signals of summer that nature affords me every year is the arrival of Swifts after their admirable migration efforts from their winter holidays in Africa. They arrive in late Spring, exhausted and in need of a little recovery before they create their nests, raise their young and then depart with the waning …
This week, the weather is feeling warmer and more spring-like, and I certainly welcome the signs of new life in the garden. The bluetits are choosing their favourite nest box (they are a regular and welcome visitor to my garden) and sparrows have been spotted gathering nesting materials. There’s a great sense of anticipation, as …
When the Weather is so cold, it’s difficult to imagine Spring arriving with its green shoots and blossom. However it will return,so it is time to start garden planning for the year ahead. I’m going to divide this guide into three sections: flowers, fruit and veg, and wildlife. Flowers: Having a wide variety of flowering …
