Orchids are very popular as Christmas and New Year gifts so if you received one and are now wondering how to care for it properly, then here are my top tips to help keep it looking good for longer, says our CEO and trained horticulturalist, Peter Burks. Orchids have a reputation for being difficult to…
Nothing beats eating the veggies you have grown yourself, says our CEO Peter Burks. Peter is a keen allotmenteer and trained horticulturalist, who has worked in directorial and senior management positions for garden centres nationwide for more than 40 years and has a degree in horticulture from the University of Bath. This is what he…
Gardening brings delight and happiness to people of all ages. Not only is it a great way to remain active, but it is also a genius way to have immediate access to fresh fruits and vegetables. If you’re keen to develop your green thumb but live without a large outside area or are unable to…
Sustainable gardening is a type of cultivation that emphasises techniques for preserving and enhancing natural ecosystems, conserving resources, and fostering biodiversity. Adopting sustainable gardening has several benefits. By feeding the soil and fostering beneficial insects and birds, it not only aids in lowering our carbon footprint and water conservation but also encourages a healthier garden.…
George Clairmont runs a youth nature and conservation club and would like to highlight a recent presentation, on how conservation and recycling efforts, can be done in the home garden. Their focus is on how they can create rain gardens to recycle water, prevent water pollution from storm water runoff and how to plant native…
Rainwater harvesting is an invaluable practice for gardeners and will revolutionise the way we nurture plants and cultivate green spaces. With increasing awareness of water scarcity and the need for sustainable solutions, gardening expert and author, Sarah Raven, has created a list of ways to harvest rainwater this summer. Sarah explains, “Harvesting rainwater is a…
Charles Dowding has made no dig popular with millions of gardeners. They love how it’s good for the soil, healthy for plants and easier plus timesaving for them. His growing methods are applicable for small areas and large ones and are used worldwide. Since 1982 he has created and cropped four no dig market gardens…
Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias and Pieris are all stunning spring flowering hardy shrubs. These all fall in a category of plants known as ‘ericaceous’, as they have a need for acidic soil. This can easily be provided by planting them in ericaceous compost and feeding with an ericaceous fertiliser such as Miracle Gro for Rhododendrons, Azaleas…
As water becomes an increasingly scarce resource in many parts of the world, the importance of finding alternative sources cannot be overstated. Harvesting rainwater is one such method that has gained popularity in recent years. Water butts, or rain barrels, are a simple and effective way of capturing h20 that would otherwise go to waste.…
May is such a lovely month in the garden with all your planting plans being able to go ahead with the wonderful shows of colour.