Growing Lawns from Seed

By on June 13, 2008 in Flowers and Plants

The best times of year for sowing a lawn are March and early September. The ground will be warm or warming up and there should still be enough moisture to encourage the grass to grow. Dependant on the location and use of the lawn choose a seed mix not one individual variety. For sports fields [...]

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Extending the Bulb Flowering Season

By on June 12, 2008 in Flowers and Plants

Spring flowers are always well received as a way to herald the coming summer. Because spring bulb flowers are highly valued take the opportunity to extend the flowering season, especially in key pot locations. How To Have Bulbs flowering for several weeks in Spring Choose sets of bulbs to flower at different times throughout the [...]

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Growing Potatoes in Pots

By on June 11, 2008 in Flowers and Plants

If you have a small garden, but would like to grow some potatoes, try growing them in pots. What you need for growing potatoes in pots: A large pot 30 cm in diameter. Fill the pot with suitable compose, leaving a few inches for earthing up later. Plant the potato seeds at the usual time. [...]

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How To Get A Bigger Tomato Crop

By on June 10, 2008 in Flowers and Plants

Tomatoes are great fun to grow. They can also be very rewarding; to get a bigger crop follow these simple but effective tips. Pinch out side shoots to focus energy on forming fruits rather than green growth. pinch out the growing tip when 6 trusses have formed Allowing only 5 -6 branches enables the energy [...]

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Growing Aquilegia – Columbine

By on June 10, 2008 in Flowers and Plants

The long spurred Aquilegias are showy perrenial plants that are easy to grow from seed sown March to June. These cottage garden favourites grow up to three feet tall on thin stems without hindering other plants. They are not too fussy about conditions tolerating some shade and dry spells. Tips on growing Columbine – Aquilegias [...]

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Growing Tips for Rudbeckia

By on June 9, 2008 in Flowers and Plants

Rudbeckia is a favourite of the cottage garden. Rudbeckia comes from the family Asteraceae whose members are commonly known as coneflowers; the others are Echinacea, Dracopis and Ratibida. The variety Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullvantii ‘Goldsturm is a favourite of gardeners for its very long flowering period. Rudbeckia are fairly easy to grow preferring Full sun [...]

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Sunlight Through Autumn Leaves

By on June 9, 2008 in Flowers and Plants

I took this photo in Autumn last year, outside Merton College, Oxford near to Christchurch Meadow. The natural sunlight highlights the colours of the changing leaves.

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Gardening Links

By on June 9, 2008 in Gardening, House & Greenhouse plants

BBC Gardeners World – Gardening site of BBC Royal Horticultural Society – gardening online Unwins – Seeds online Debby’s Garden Links – Directory of categorised links to UK gardening related websites. Nicky’s Seeds Flower seeds herb seed vegetable seeds garden sundries. Purveyor of quality seeds worldwide of all your favourite, rare and unusual seeds, Garden [...]

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How To Take Root Cuttings

By on June 9, 2008 in Tips Hints and Ideas

Root Cuttings make an excellent way to increase the number of plants. They can be taken in the middle of winter when not much else is happening in the garden. Plants which can be Grown through taking Root Cuttings Phlox Mint, Japanese Anemones Primulas

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Tip for Sowing Peas and Sweet Peas

By on June 9, 2008 in Flowers and Plants

An excellent way to start off sweet peas, is to use a piece of old guttering. Fill the gutter with compost and place seeds at appropriate intervals (3cm apart). They can be sown from March to May Place the piece of guttering at a slight angle so that excess water will drain away. Keep well [...]

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