Bag yourself some salad Bags of salad leaves ready-to-use are some of the first things you see in the supermarket fruit and veg sections when you stroll in – they are there all year round. Sow & grow your own But now is the perfect time to sow and grow your own salad leaves such…
The moon and potato planting Gardening is rich with time‑honoured traditions and steeped in folklore, writes GCA CEO and horticulturalist, Peter Burks. One of these is that seed potatoes should be planted on Good Friday. Devil isn’t at work I always try to find the scientific reason behind such rules and, despite being told by…
April gardening jobs checklist April is one of the most exciting months in our gardening calendar. With longer days, warmer soil and plants bursting into life, it’s the perfect time to get stuck into the key jobs that will set your garden up for the months ahead. While spring is now well underway, frosts remain…
What to prune now March officially marks the real start of our gardening year. As temperatures rise and plants wake up, it’s the ideal moment to tackle key pruning tasks that will set your garden up for a strong growing season. Many plants are still dormant or just beginning to show new shoots, making this…
Gardening jobs to tackle in March March marks the true beginning of the gardening year in the UK. As daylight stretches and temperatures rise, the garden begins to wake from its winter rest. It’s the perfect time to get ahead with key tasks that set the tone for a successful growing season. Prepare beds and…
Gardening jobs to tackle in February February might be feeling soggy under foot, but it’s an exciting month in the gardening calendar if you’re able to get outside and do a few jobs, between the wind and rain that is. It’s usually a month full of gardening hope as the days slowly begin to lengthen…
Things to do in the garden in January January may feel quiet in the garden, but it’s the perfect time to prepare for the year ahead. While growth slows during winter, there are plenty of tasks to keep you busy and set the stage for a successful spring. Plan your planting Use this downtime to…
Packing up your tools for winter A bit of prep at this end of the year will pay dividends in the spring, so rather than watching the telly this afternoon, get a bit of fresh air. Once the jobs are done you have every right to feel very smug indeed and think about how much…
Look after your garden wildlife this winter At this time of year, the wildlife in our gardens will need a little bit of extra help to keep it going during the colder days and nights. Here are our handy hints to help keep your friendly mammals, birds and insects well-fed, safe and cosy: To help…
What’s the right fresh Christmas tree for you? Our member garden centres offer a selection of Christmas trees. But which one should you choose? Here are some of the benefits of three of the main varieties that are usually available at our member garden centres. Norway Spruce The Norway Spruce is the traditional Christmas tree…