This is not to be confused with your own garden compost made from decomposed plant matter. Commercial compost is the range of products sold in plastic wrapping in garden centres, DIY shops and sundry retailers. The contents of these types of compost vary and can affect the growing result considerably. All have a base which [...]

1. Begonia tubers for super flower heads and potted plants These plants can have massive blooms and or large numbers of blooms on the same plant. They can be used in pots and containers or used for bedding. There are new varieties being launched regularly. This year Thompson Morgan are selling a scented variety in [...]

Tips on what can be turned into Compost Add a thin layer of garden soil to your heap to help activation. You can add a proprietary activator like Garrotta if you wish. Have more nitrogen base items than carbon to help rotting Use the following table as a guide Type of Material Carbon/ Nitrogen/ Trace [...]

Hot compost heaps are just that, hot, they can be so hot you can’t keep your hand in (though why you should want to put your hand in the middle of a compost heap I am not sure). The heat is generated by the decomposition process helped by all the biological activity. Microbes, worms and [...]

I am fond of the double peonies that flower so extravagantly in June. Over the years the plants give a great deal of pleasure lots of colour and a light and welcome spring perfume. That is not to say the single and specie Peonies are not also worth a place in the garden. As plants [...]

Acclimatised to Global Warming? Easter snow flurries and April frosts have hampered planting so far this year, but gardeners will be hoping that the May bank holiday weekend offers some respite from the unseasonable cold and rain. Gardens will catch up from the colder than average start to spring. In fact we have been getting [...]