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Category: Gardening

General gardening tips and hints

Get Ahead of the Garden Game

Get Ahead of the Garden Game

Gardeners get ahead of the game as experience tells them to remember earlier lessons.

mauve-garden

A garden is for life not just Spring and Summer so you need to play a long game and plan ahead. Our top tips for 12 months time follow but you also need to think about the medium and longer term.
Trees will grow more rapidly once established like the Cupressus I have just had to cut back. Conifers may grow 10% a year and as these had grown to over 24 feet when the situation really needed a 10 foot maximum I had a problem and a lot of work to do.

Shrubs need space to spread and as you plant them think what they will be like in 3+ years. You do not want to be moving prize Camellias or Peonies once they are established.  Plant short lived  or less important plants near them that can be discarded as your prize shrub matures. Hedges get thicker and wider even with regular pruning so allot enough space when you set out. Do not let them get out of hand and block light, paths or  access.

Hard landscaping is even more permanent than most plants. Marry your landscaping to the key core trees and plants you want to build the garden around. Prepare in detail and put in long lasting foundations not quick fixes.

Top Tips for a Grand Garden Next Year

  • Feed your bulbs and let them die down naturally. Order more bulbs now.
  • Grow biennial plants from seed eg. sowing Wallflowers from June and pinching out the plants to make them bushy.

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Wildflower Seed Suppliers

Wildflower Seed Suppliers

new-picture-3

In addition to our sponsors, Thompson Morgan click on advert to buy your seeds and sundries, the following companies supply Wild Flower seeds and plants.

Reputable suppliers will not take plants from the wild or endanger any threatened species. Most offer advice and will help select a range of seeds appropriate for the location and region where they are to be grown. Native species will perform better and be more use to wildlife. Seed mixtures are usually available and are an economic and successful way to buy.
wild flowers

Top Suppliers

  • British Seed Houses Ltd  01925 654411
  • John Chambers 01933 652562
  • Landfill Flowers Ltd 0151 7371819
  • MAS      01249 819013
  • Emorsgate Seeds  01533 829028
  • Naturescape  01949 851045
  • Natural Surroundings  01263 711091
  • HV Horticultural   01747 811778
  • Yellow Flag Wildflowers   01452 311525

Website for Wildflower Plants

Green Roof Of Sedum or Grass

Green Roof Of Sedum or Grass

Bear the weight of wet soil in mind but enjoy the fun of a green roof. Try maintain easy access to make life simpler.

grass-roof

The Ecology Building Society as befits it’s brand values has a green roof on it’s HQ building. Green roofs can be a mixture of grasses or Sedums or both and all have similar benefits.

Benefits of Green Roofing

Golden Acre green roof

  • Improves energy efficiency with a natural thermal insulation.
  • Green roofs remove CO2 from the atmosphere to maintain the area of green plant growth.
  • Providing a natural and safe area for insects and a aesthetically pleasing wildlife habitat.
  • Good sound insulation is provided by the layers needed for a green roof.
  • Water and run off drainage control is increased.

Further Tips

  • The independent Green Roof organisation ‘livingroofs’ has more information.
  • Seed mixes are available containing plants able to withstand the rigours of a roof top environment species such as Chives, Oregano, Blue fax, White Stonecrop, Tunic flower and Ornamental grasses.
  • Sheffield University hosts the Green Roof Centre

Green roof

Gardening for Wildlife

Gardening for Wildlife

Book Cover

This book is a joint publication between RHS and the Wildlife Trusts and covers a surprising array of subjects in an easy to follow manner. I have picked up some quick tips to put on my Twitter feed.

The Wildlife Trusts

  • With 765,000 members The Wildlife Trusts are the largest UK voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving the full range of the UK’s habitats and species, whether they be in the countryside, in cities or at sea.
  • Wildlife Trusts manage 2,256 nature reserves covering more than 90,000 hectares. They stand up for wildlife, inspire people about the natural world and foster sustainable living.
  • Wildlife gardening is much more than just making friends with the local birds, hedgehogs and dragonflies. It’s a way of connecting to the whole web of life. Years ago the countryside was rich in wild plants and animals but today that’s no longer true. Many of the creatures that thrive in gardens – for example frogs, goldfinches and sparrows are having a hard time in their old haunts.
  • Gardeners can make a real difference. Key garden features are trees and hedges, dead wood, water, and a real variety of plant shapes and sizes. Once we provide these simple needs, we can see gardens not just as our outdoor rooms, but as an interconnected network of green patches that together amount to a very special nature reserve whether in the heart of the metropolis, or within the wider countryside.

Tips for Wildlife Gardening …

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Tips for Growing Annual Lobelia

Tips for Growing Annual Lobelia

Fine seed slow to bulk up – our tip is to buy kinder pots or germinated seedlings unless you want a lot of plants.

Photo cc by storebukkebruse

Lobelia annuals can be excellent fun to grow. Given the right conditions they can grow quickly after a slow start and   flower from June until late autumn.

The blue or purple Lobelia are often coupled with Alyssum for the edge of borders to give a cottage garden effect. …

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Spring Spraying Fruit Trees Against Pest and Disease

Spring Spraying Fruit Trees Against Pest and Disease

Spring spraying of apple and pear trees is essential to avoid various troubles. Leaf, blossom and fruit problems need tackling with controlled spraying at the right time. It is a mistake to wait until you see signs of attack because it will be too late to remedy the problem, prevention is better than cure.
apple blossom
The first spray against scab and fungal problems should be made around mid-April. Traditionally Lime sulphur was used to control fungi, bacteria and insects living or dormant on the surface of the bark. That tends to burns leaves so it is not used on evergreen plants. Modern methods spray with Copper Sulphate, Bordeaux mixture or a fruit tree recommended systemic fungicide such as Dithane.Start spraying in April, again after petal fall and at the end of June, failing that read the instructions on the bottle. …

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Tips for Growing Aubergines in the UK

Tips for Growing Aubergines in the UK

Aubergine

Grow Eggplants from Seed

  • Fill a pot with seed compost then firm lightly.
  • Scatter a few seeds across the surface – not too thickly
  • Cover with a thin layer of soil or vermiculite, water and label.
  • Place in a propagator or warm spot or on a windowsill with a plastic bag over the top to help germination. Remove bag when seeds have germinated in about 7-10 days.
  • When seedlings are 3cm tall give each their own 7.5cm pot.
  • Pot into a larger pot with general purpose compost when roots show through drainage holes.
  • When plants are 25cm tall, stake with a cane and pinch out the top to make new branches.
  • Plant into large pots for a sunny sheltered spot or grow in a greenhouse
  • Pinch out the growing tip when 18″ high and the side shoots when 3/4 fruit are set
  • Feed, using a high potash feed, when the fruit has set .
  • Aubergines can suffer from blossom end rot, so ensure that plants do not dry out.

Watering
Aubergines are incredibly thirsty and dry compost will quickly lead to a check in growth.
Ensure that the plants never dry or the fruit will be poor and tough.

Feeding
The first flowers will appear when the plants are quite small.
Give high potash feed when first flowers show.
When this happens feed weekly with a liquid feed tomato fertiliser.

Cropping
Fruits can be harvested with scissors or a sharp knife about August-September
Each aubergine or eggplant will produce up to 3 or 4 fruits, depending on variety and the weather.
Pick when skin is shiny and fruit is a good size.

Aubergines from Thompson Morgan

Aubergine and Varieties to Grow

  • Egg-plants or Aubergines are related to potato, tomato and deadly-nightshade.
  • Aubergines may survive outside in mild areas but they like warmth.
  • Old varieties had bitter flesh that needed salting but modern varieties are now much more palatable.
  • Outdoor fruits will be smaller.
  • For the small fruited cultivars it might be six inside and three out of doors
  • Aubergine Baby Rosanna F1 produces an abundance of golf ball sized, bitter free baby fruits throughout the summer on dwarf plants.
  • Spineless plants of Aubergine Calliope produce a heavy crop of oval, baby fruits that mature to a cream streaked purple colour.
  • Traditionally coloured black varieties include Florida High Bush and Moneymaker F1.

Seed varieties from Thompson Morgan
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Grow Heathers – Ericas, Callunas and Daboecia

Grow Heathers – Ericas, Callunas and Daboecia

Will you go lassie go?
Heather on the Dales way or Le Tour d’Tykeland
dales way2 039

If you grow heathers you will know why we do and these recommendations come from other Heather growers.

Reasons for Growing Heather

  1. Heathers can provide a rich and changing variety of colour from both foliage and flowers all year round.
  2. Many of the easiest heathers are at their best in the drabbest months.

    3. Heather april
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Lewisias Updated Information

Lewisias Updated Information

Lewisia

I have talked before of Lewisia becoming trendy and offered some growing tips.
I have had more years of experience and like the way my plants are performing.
The above plant is flowering amongst the old leaves of the primula that cropped up in the sandy soil of my rockery.

Description of Lewisia

  • From the Portulacaceae family most Lewisias could almost be mistaken for succulents.
  • They produce thick or fleshy, green, shiny waxy leaves in rosettes
  • Lewisia grow 6-10″ high and flower on straight stems that are prone to lean over.
  • Flowers are profuse, round-shaped and occasionally doubles or semis.
  • Lewisia blooms come in bright pink,  apricot, white, or plum red.
  • Most varieties are evergreen but resent damp on the leaves.

lewisia-cotylodion

Tips for Growing Lewisia From post ‘Lewisia Trendy, Bright and Breezy’ Aug 2013

  • Whilst Lewisia are perennial plants are very susceptible to winter wet rot. Over winter under glass if needs be.
  • As Lewisia are very low growing it is common to grow in pots or containers so the flowers can be seen.
  • The clump forming Ashwood Strain is recommended as a particularly good mix producing large semi-double flowers in a wide range of colours.
  • With judicious deadheading Lewisia will bloom from April to the end of September, particularly if kept in an alpine house or cold greenhouse.
  • In an Alpine garden surround the base of the plant with rock chips to prevent rot. Lewisias prefer sites with abundant spring moisture followed by a dry, cool summer.
  • Other species to try include Lewisia; Pygmea, Rediviva, Brachycalyx, or hybrids Heckneri or Phyllellia Obtain plants from Pottertons and various nurseries or your local garden centre.

Varieties of Lewisia

  • Lewisia rediviva, also called bitter root lewisia has thick, fleshy, deciduous leaves and pink to white flowers. Detailed growing information is available here.
  • Lewisia cotyledon has persistent leaves and grows in the form of mat like rosettes. ‘Little Plum’ has deeply veined flowers in white with pink or red stripes.
  • Hybrid lewisias are available as inexpensive seed mixtures.
  • The Alpine garden society lists 100 cultivars and species and in the Alpine Gardener vol 82 No 3. there is a wealth of knowhow about Lewisia cotyledon one of the colourful and popular species.
  • Lewisia tweedyi is shorter at 6″ tall but has 3″ wide blooms in white and cream. Great for a rockery or alpine house.
  • Groups include cotyledon, pygmaea and rediviva.

Bibliography and Sources

Book Cover

Lewisia Roy Elliot AGS

Kew Lewisia monograph series.  The main concern in this work is with the nineteen species of the genus Lewisia, a

More Photographs of Lewisia

National collection of Lewisia can be seen at Ashwood Nurseries

Growing Alstroemeria – Quick Tips

Growing Alstroemeria – Quick Tips

Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria or Peruvian Lilies make great flowers for picking and are long lasting in a vase. When established they are easy to grow.

Get your plants from Thompson & Morgan who supply plants and seeds. The seeds need patience and some skill.

Culture of Alstroemeria

  • Plenty of organic matter and regular watering  helps Alstroemeria thrive.
  • Alstromeria like a sheltered site in sun or partial shade. They can form good solid clumps and some varieties self seed.
  • Taller 3 feet plus Alstroemeria need staking or they may be knocked down by rain or wind. Ligtu hybrids should be self supporting.
  • Apollo varieties cope well with frost and flower in three or four separate flushes.
  • Deadhead regularly by pulling out the flowering stem.

    • Alstromeria …

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