I sowed the plants for the polytunnel before we started building the polytunnel. First things first, I started all those tender, warmth loving things by my feet in my office, cosied away in a heated propagator, and later moved them up onto the office windowsill and later still out into the greenhouse. There they patiently […]
Time and space management in the greenhouse is essential to keep it productive and prolific, but keeping up with the lush greenhouse growth this season has proven to be a bit of a challenge and if I don’t catch up soon there’s a chance that the greenhouse might burst from inside like a puff ball […]
Peat-free compost – bought and home-made – is the way forward, so discouraging us from making full use of our own compost is hardly the way to boost sales. It was impeccable, if ironic, timing. After a few joyous hours of serious riddling, during which I’d rediscovered long-forgotten muscles, followed by some blending and mixing, […]
This greenhouse family gives us surprisingly tough house and conservatory plants, also loved as outdoor summer bedding and happy in fairly cramped containers. These have gorgeous flowers and beautiful foliage year round in a bewildering range of colours. With different leaf shapes and patterns, even trailing varieties, many are scented and some can be used […]
Our neighbouring school, Greenfield Primary are the proud owners of a brand new Hartley Patio Glasshouse. As we all start to appreciate the value of organic home grown produce it is important that our children learn about where our food comes from, the environmental benefits of growing our own and the pleasure it can give […]
The long range weather forecast for June suggests a typical British summer with continued unsettled weather, now that is mixed news for the gardener! My tropical border has finally been planted out and the sun and rain will help the plants to establish quickly, though higher temperatures would help – the plants might think that […]
We are happy to feature this guest post written by Ben Raskin, Head of Horticulture at the Soil Association. It is often said that we know more about the moon than we do about what goes on under our feet, and the more we learn about our soils the more complicated we realise they are. […]
Hartley Botanic is proud to announce that our garden has been awarded Best Tradestand at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2014. The garden, which was officially opened by Raymond Blanc OBE during press day on Monday 19th May, features a choice selection of different greenhouses including the new Westminster design. The magnificent structure is a […]
One of my big hopes for this year is to have a fine cut flower patch. I want to be able to pick bunch after bunch of lovely flowers for myself, for birthday presents, for my mum when she’s looked after the kids. It’s an investment. A cut flower patch requires an awful lot of […]
Hartley Bean Feast May 2014 When you begin the greenhouse journey, even before you have even parted with any hard-earned cash there’s so much to consider and decide. Greenhouse gurus are generous with their advice regarding siting, ventilation and features, but the most vital consideration of all is its size. Most potential greenhouse gardeners are […]
Raymond Blanc OBE is proud to ‘open’ the Hartley Botanic Westminster Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show Stand TR1 On Monday 19 May, Raymond Blanc OBE will join his friends from Hartley Botanic to officially open their garden at the Chelsea Flower Show, Stand TR1. The highlight of the garden will be a showcase of […]
TV presenter David Domoney yesterday presented Cranberry Academy, Alsager with a stunning Hartley Botanic greenhouse worth £4,000 for its fantastic effort during the fourth annual national ‘Get Your Grown-ups Growing’ initiative hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Campaign for School Gardening. The Cheshire-based academy devoted an entire week to a Get Your Grown-ups Growing […]
