Free peat-free leaflet It’s important for garden centres to help their customers understand that ‘peat-free works differently.’ We have been involved in several projects to assist garden centre staff in this area and to enable them to help customers with this change too. We have produced three short videos in partnership with the Royal Horticultural…
May gardening tips Sometimes it can be a bit bewildering to know what to do in the garden each month, so here are our top eight pointers that should help you: It is very important to keep weeds down this month. Check all wood and fence panels for wear and protect with paint or preservative.…
Flowers to attract butterflies and moths Butterflies are among the most beautiful wild creatures you can attract to your garden, but they are becoming rarer. You can help reverse this decline by creating a butterfly garden. Plant nectar-rich plants and you will never be without butterflies or moths. Grow a garden with lots of herbs…
Grow your own chillies These colourful fruits can be grown on windowsills and terraces in pots for the enjoyment of both gardeners and cooks. Even if you have just a small outdoor space or a window box, chilli peppers are fun to grow. They can be many colours of the rainbow including green, purple, yellow,…
Tomato growing – our 10 top tips Growing from seed If you are starting tomatoes from seed, be sure to give the seedlings room. Close conditions inhibit their growth, so transplant them as soon as they get their first true leaves and move them into suitable pots about two weeks after that. Tomato seedlings need…
Jobs to do in the garden in April There is still a lot to tend to in the garden this month and below are some of the key jobs that will need your attention now. Fertilise If we have a spell of wet weather, mulch around azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons, this helps keep moisture in…
Winter colour The strength of a garden can be measured by what it looks like in the winter. It’s fairly straightforward getting spring, summer or autumn colour but the winter interest is the backbone. This structure can be created with a number of evergreen shrubs, some of which will also flower in the winter too.…
Winter houseplant watering tips Help keep your houseplants looking healthy and happy for as long as possible with these simple tips. Remember living indoors isn’t natural for plants so you need to provide an environment to suit its needs. Centrally heated homes mean dry air and this can cause problems. Stand large plants in a…
Helpful hint with hedging Bareroot hedging plants make a more economical way of creating a traditional form of hedge or screen. Before you decide the varieties, you would like to include, think about what you are looking to achieve and whether you would like to attract wildlife to your outdoor space in the process. No…
Jobs to do in the garden in September part 2 – look after your lawn The days of luscious green lawns are quickly coming to an end. You can begin to mow the lawn less frequently now and give it a good autumn feed to help build up grass roots for the winter. You can…