On my Garden Shelf

If a picture tells a thousand words this 2 foot run of shelf in my shed will generate a couple of chapters.

Centre stage is the large tub of Slug and Snail Killer. No holding back punches on this lable, at least I hope ‘it does what it says on the can’. I have bought these mini pellets from Wilkinson’s as a cheap means of protecting the new herbaceous plants like Delphiniums as they emerge from the winter soil.

It is a testament to my untidiness that the tub is on top of some secateurs that look like immature broad beans. Hidden away behind a green jar is a ph meter that tests the alkalinity-acidity of my soil and compost using a long thin probe. J Arthur Bowers lime and Epsom salt tonic flank the slug pellets.

Hanging from nails in the wall are sundry pieces of wire, raffia and a pair of reading glasses that I need when reading out the measurements of concentrated fertilizers etc.

Ornaments for The Garden

Sorry this is not a picture from my garden which is virtually ornament free. This garden centre is having a sale (I thought everything was always for sale).  After the cold winter some of your garden ornaments may need replacing or you may want to decorate a new part of the garden.

Garden Ornaments

• Ornaments work best with hard landscaping.
• Small and medium ornaments tend to get lost as vegetation grows from late spring. In winter spots look bare that in summer are thronged.
• Beware unnatural colours when selecting your ornaments unless you are A Dermot Gavin type of gardener.
• Ornaments need to be kept clean to look their best.
• Expensive ornaments should be fixed down to deter thieves.

Tip - Plan to spend at least as much money on good plants as you would on a good ornament. A plant should get better with age whilst most ornaments will do the opposite.

This stand at the garden centre was at least as colourful as any bloomin’ garden!

Fence Care

As the algae has grown on this fence so it looks progressively more unsightly. I believe it is still well protected but any sales force for fence care products will try talk you into a respray.

Part way through the new treatment the fence is being painted by brush. It is hard to get into nooks and crannies and when you do it takes up a lot more solution than you ever expected.
A sprayer will also use up the Weathershield, Cuprinol or Ronseal but is quick, even in application and able to reach the parts other methods can not. A sprayer is a good investment if you have a large fence area to cover.

Creosote has been banned as fence treatment for several years. Most current substance make no claim to extend the life of wood but claim to be water repellent and add colour. I leave it to you to decide if you like this orange colour.

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Fun Seeds for Children

Children are often environmentally wise, eco-friendly and concerned about the environment.
Seeds can be used to explain about food miles and geography in a fun manner.
Kids also enjoy growing plants in their own patch or plant pot.

Kids Fun Seeds

• Chose seeds that are large enough to handle like peas, nasturtiums, beans or sunflowers.
• Marrows grow large and quickly to hold the attention.
• Mustard and cress and sprouting Mung Beans can be grown indoors and eaten within days.
• Thompson & Morgan sell a range of kids seeds shown above

Bonsai Equipment

Starting Bonsai need not be daunting. Growing from seed will take too long unless you have great patience. I suggest you buy a couple of ready grown bonsai trees and learn the craft on them. You could start with a sizable seedling from your garden if you prefer.

Containers are crucial in creating good aesthetically pleasing Bonsai and a wide range are available from garden centres. Bear in mind that most Bonsai will live outdoors so the pots should be frost proof.

Equipment and Tools

• Cutting and pruning tools include concave branch cutters, knob cutters and shears.
• Wiring tools include pliers and wire cutters.
• A selection of wire of different gauges in aluminium or copper will be used.
• Potting tools add refinement to the Bonsai process. A scoop, traditional brush,trowel, root hook and mesh will all be a pleasure to use.

8 Piece Premium Bonsai Tree Care Kit  

Bonsai from Amazon£29.99
Items included within this kit -

• 250ml of best selling liquid bonsai feed,
• 250ml of Leafshine, Humidity tray,
• 100grms of 2mm wire,
• 180mm Long handled scissors, Coco brush for safely cleaning the surface of the soil,
• 1 bottle of bonsai revitalisation liquid used for giving your tree a healthy boost of minerals and vitamins,
• A copy of   101 best selling bonsai tips and hints.

The kit is a bit heavy on chemicals and treatments. I did not start feeding my Bonsai until 12 months after potting. They may have been a bit reluctant to grow for this reason.

Read Gardeners Tips on Bonsai

Growing Kits for Chillies

Reduced from over £12 to under £6 you can grow five different types of chilli plant with this red hot gift box. Buy from Amazon

• Growing your chillies is simple – everything you need is inside this gift box, including a booklet containing growing tips.
• This gift box is an ideal present for food lovers, and once grown could provide them with a supply of fresh ingredients for all their Indian, Tex mex and many more favourite cuisines.
• This complete kit includes everything you need to get started, including natural coconut husk starter plant pots and compost discs, which expand when they are watered.
• You will get enough seeds to grow a selection of hot, vibrant chillis, including Tabasco, Demon Red, Hungarian Hot Wax, Jalapeno and Anaheim chilli plants.

Disclaimer from Amazon: ‘ This pack contains real plant seed. The seed can die before or after germination. Please plant your seed as soon as possible. Occasionally, due to the nature and availability of the seed, it may be necessary to substitute certain seed varieties with alternatives. Please retain packaging for future reference. This is a novelty gift and must be regarded as such. This product is not suitable for children under 36 months as it could cause a choking hazard. To be used under the direct supervision of an adult.’

Cat Repellers

Are you plagued by neighborhood cats or random visitors sitting on your prized plants. If so there are varoius measures you can consider.

DIY Methods of Cat Repulsion

• One trick is to create some flickering random light reflections as a deterrent. CD’s on a string or some plastic bottles half filled with water in your borders. Cats see the light reflections, gets spooked, and hopefully slinks away.
• Grow ‘Coleus Canina’ the “pee-off plant” or the “scaredy cat” coleus.  It gives off a smell that cats just can’t stand but humand find OK.
• Put branches of thorny plants under bird feeders or grow some Berberis.
• Improve your fencing.

Extreme Methods

• Buy an infra red detecting  ‘Defenders Mega-Sonic cat repeller’ to protect your garden habitat and encourage wildlife and birds back into it.
• Try ‘Get Off My Garden Cat & Dog Repellent’ available as Crystals or spray.
• What other animal dares to intrude on a big cat’s territory? ‘Silent Roar’ fertilizer uses non-toxic pellets soaked in real essence of lion dung.

Guide to Stump Grinding

Stump grinding enables the removal of a tree stump from the ground after it has been cut down.

How it Works

• A stump grinder of a size relevant to your garden is used to remove stumps.
• The grinding can be done when the tree is cut down or some years later.
• Most grinders have a vertical rotating disc with teeth.
• This cuts the wood reducing the stump to mulch.
• A stump grinder is a key tool for the arborculturist rather than the hobby gardener.

Other Issues

• The grinding produces a mulch that can be removed, left to rot down (slowly) or used even though it starts off a bit cosmetically challenged.
• For professional results rent a machine with an operator or employ a proper service.
• Infected wood should always be disposed of away from the garden.
• Removing the stumps helps the eradication of Honey fungus as it has nothing to feed on.

Health and Safety book

Garden Benches or Seats

When you have done your gardening jobs for the day you will have earned a cup of tea and a sit on your favourite seat or garden bench. From there you can admire your hard work and plan the next list of tasks that need to be undertaken. Gardeners Tips recommends you substitute gin or wine for the tea if the task list is too long!

Benches by Tati include the interestingly shaped teak banana bench. Made from seasoned, kiln dried teak hardwood from sustainable plantations.

A companion seat is two individual wooden seats joined at an angle so you can converse comfortably over your drinks.

Tati products are quality items delivered ready assembled and they make attractive addition to any garden, decking, outdoor poolside or patio area.

What to Look for In a Garden Seat

• Garden furniture needs to last through some tough weather conditions. It pays to buy seasoned hardwood products.
• Opt for the best quality you can afford.
• Good furniture sets-off your garden and will be an inviting feature.
• Ensure the furniture is in-keeping with the size and nature of your garden.
• Locate your seat in the sun with good views and enjoy regularly.

Be Organised in your Garden

Burgon and Ball are one of the top names in garden equipment supply. Their new ‘Tool and Tuck Box’ is a robust affair suitable for taking down the allotment. It will hold your ‘veg patch essentials such as a trowel, secateurs, twine, labels, etc – while the sliding compartment in the lid holds vital gardener sustenance – sandwiches and cakes (contents not included!)’ from amazon

To take your seeds down to the allotment you may want to consider a special storage box.
Buy a special seed storage box from amazon for less than £10 or the Burgon and Ball Seed Packet Organiser £19.95

Alan Titchmarsh Gardener’s Organiser also from Amazon circa £13.

Read Seed Storage Tips at Gardeners Tips