One of the things I use my greenhouse for is raising annuals every spring. One of my very favourites is the marigold because it flowers right through summer until the first frosts. The flowers come in sunny shades of mahogany-red, orange and warm-yellow and these colours attract hoverflies and pollen beetles. The hoverflies look like […]
This month Iām looking at what can happen when private gardeners take their passion public. Streissguth Gardens is a private/public enterprise that could be duplicated in neighborhoods all over the country. Recently, I went for an urban hike with friends on the east side of Seattleās Lake Union. On Blaine Street, we arrived at a […]
Mulch: the magic M-word that every gardener should know and practice, in the garden and even in the conservatory. Why mulch? Some may think that mulch is just cosmetic, improving the looks of a garden. That it does, but itās main attraction is far more complexĀĀāand interactive set of attributes that keep the garden looking […]
In and out of the greenhouse, this is the year of the courgettes. That is, if you can keep them watered. Courgettes are always producing madly at this time of year but the seemingly endless heat is seeing mine pumping out fruits as fast as I can pick them. The watering really has been quite […]
With gorgeous sky blue flowers all of summer the Blue Spider-wort is an ideal plant for a cool greenhouse. True itās a tad lax and can flop if not supported and the waist high stems of lanceolate leaves are not exactly stunning. However continuous displays of gentian blue flowers redeems all. As these lovely blooms […]
A selection of our latest adverts as seen in leading publications such as The Daily Telegraph, Country Life, The English Garden & many more. If you would like to request a brochure pleaseĀ click here.
Iāve been having one or two problems with Blossom End Rot, where the end of tomatoes becomes circular, black and flattened. It occurs in peppers and aubergines, squashes and watermelons but is most often seen in tomatoes and is caused by lack of calcium in the fruits. Plants growing in soil, growing bags and potting […]
Gardeners have a different perspective on the weather than most people. We are cheered by July downpours and winter storms that spread insulating snow. We love cool, wet springs that lengthen bloom time, while other people are anxiously waiting for the yearās first shorts-and-T-shirt day. Stretches of hot summer days may delight children and beachgoers, […]
I don’t think I can ever remember such a glorious June because it’s been warm – even in the wonderfully named Cold Aston! It’s a blessing for me (and the plants) after such a long, cold winter and my roses have really appreciated it. They are better than they’ve ever been at Spring Cottage. Most […]
āMighty oaks from little acorns growā is an old adage loaded with meaning, but one with special significance, I think, for us gardeners, knowing as we do that every garden begins with a seed. Seed can be āseed moneyā that lets us purchase a plot of land or rent space in a community garden. Seed […]
Hartley Botanicās RHS Tatton Park tradestand ā stand number 429 British greenhouse and glasshouse manufacturer Hartley Botanic is showcasing the drought-tolerant and tropical plants increasingly being grown by UK gardeners āunder glassā as a result of our warming climate at RHS Tatton Park this year. The stand, which features four of the manufacturerās handmade greenhouses […]
