As the stakes rise for our natural world, it’s time to harness the collective potential of our gardens and greenhouses as a force for good. Our life support is on the blink. This prospect would be scary enough if it were happening in one of our hospitals, but what elevates it to terrifying status is […]
The holiday season is upon us and in the Clarke residence it shows its face with the resurrection and plugging in of the Psychedelic Christmas Tree. As a couple of old groovers, this totem has particular significance, marking our first Christmas in Iowa in a rental and not knowing a soul in the state. […]
Color, form, and ease of maintenance are the top criteria when it comes to growing beauty in the greenhouse. Here are seven of the latest offerings that caught my eye; many will come to market for the first time in 2024. All have been chosen by the National Garden Bureau (NGB). So, brighten up your […]
We are excited to share an inspiring video that unveils and demonstrates the installation of our beautiful Hartley Botanic Grand Lodge in the USA. This video takes you on a journey through the detailed installation process and the dedicated craftsmanship that goes into every Hartley Botanic Glasshouse.
It’s the focal point in most homes at Christmas, but is the traditional Christmas tree an essential ingredient for the festive season? With the cost-of-living crisis biting some families hard, every purchase at this time of year needs scrutiny and that includes our festive decorations. You don’t need a statement Christmas tree to complete your […]
You need a warm sunny greenhouse for this tropical gem, the Roselle, which for much of the year is not the most stunning looking specimen. Though the leaves are very rich in Vitamin C and often eaten as spinach and added to curries I’m not recommending it for those. Nor are the pale yellow hollyhock-like […]
There is not a great deal going on in the greenhouse at the moment. It is doing its job, protecting those plants that need to be kept out of winter rains, or that need just a little bit of protection from the cold, and those plants are in a bit of a holding pattern – […]
Real gardeners go out whenever they can and, at this time of year, there’s a lot to do. I’ve been busy, very busy, because it’s been dry and cold rather than wet and warm. Several white dumpy bags full of leaves, testament to my efforts, are discretely tucked away on the far side of my […]
This image is a testament to climate change! Harvest any crops which remain in the unheated greenhouse. Start Amaryllis bulbs into growth as soon as you can, watering sparingly at first; just trickle a little tepid water around the bulb, increasing the amount as the bud appears. Once it is growing strongly, keep the compost […]
About twenty-five years ago I bought some asparagus roots, planted them and waited to enjoy the stalks. The bed has provided fresh asparagus since that time. Every year, I add more seaweed and well-rotted horse manure or compost to the bed and have been rewarded every spring with fresh asparagus. But now I find that […]
