5 Tips on growing roses using organic methods in your garden
Grow roses organically without using systemic herbicides to create a sustainable healthy ecosystem. Tip 1. Plant roses suitable for your garden’s environment The best time to source plantsis by mail order from November through to March when the soil is moist and not bitten by frost. bare rooted plants from David Austin are of good quality, with […]
Choosing plants to suit climatic changes of hotter summers and wetter winters
The Climate Is Changing With the increasing changes in much of the UK’s climatic weather gardening with plants that tolerate drier hotter summers and wetter winters are becoming increasingly important. The good news is that these tough plants don’t need a lot of looking after once established, aren’t too bothered by pests and diseases and don’t […]
Get Creative With Drought Tolerant Plants
In this garden near West Parley, Ferndown, Dorset I was asked if I could come up with easy maintenance, drought tolerant planting plan, for a South facing border, to add interest, and attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. In this particular planting, there is a good mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs, perennials, grasses, […]
Artificial lawn grass is having a devastating effect on the environment
Open Letter To The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Dear Secretary of State, We are writing to express our horror at the growing demand for artificial turf/plastic grass – and to implore you to immediately ban its sale. As Secretary of State and head of DEFRA, you have stated that your aim […]
Contemporary Mediterranean Garden Makeover
We were asked to make a difference to a beautifully designed but overgrown contemporary Mediterranean garden and bring back a sense of calmness and control. The garden was primarily planted with structural evergreen hedging, shrubs, subshrubs, potted olives, tropical plants, ornamental grasses and a cherry tree. After the initial garden visit and quotation price was […]
Why choose hedging over a fence or wall?
Planting hedges in your garden has so many positive benefits Apart from being the cheaper option to fencing or a wall, hedges are aesthetically pleasing, sustainable and good for wildlife bringing flowers, berries and leaves. Hedge roots act like a sponge absorbing and holding onto rain water, resulting in less surface run-off and more water […]
Shrub border planting to encourage birds and wildlife to the garden
This planting is a mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs with flowers, berries, textured and coloured leaves to encourage birds and other wildlife to the garden. Here a video has been included to enable the viewer to see the plants in their final position and looking brilliantly radiant in the autumn morning sunshine. Most of […]
Top Garden Maintenance Jobs in May
Gardening jobs for May The weather will be warm enough to plant out bedding plants at the end of the month. Collect rainwater for garden plants and save on your water bills. Hoe around plants and on hot days leave to dry out in the sun. Don’t forget to open greenhouse vents and doors on warm days […]
The importance of winter pruning for trees and shrubs
1. Introduction: The importance of winter pruning for trees and shrubs Proper winter pruning is essential for the health and aesthetics of trees and shrubs. Winter is the ideal time to prune because the plants are dormant, which reduces the risk of damage or disease. Pruning during this time helps promote new growth in the […]
How To Maintain A Beech Hedge
The Key Maintenance Tasks Beech hedges will provide years of beauty and protection with very little care. The most important maintenance tasks are: Like all plants, your beech hedge needs to be watered on a regular weekly basis, for the initial first three months of being planted, if there is no rain. Water thoroughly ensures […]
