With the arrival of July and hotter weather, many gardeners leave the garden to fend for itself. Unfortunately, this doesn’t help the harvest. Although your planting may be done, to ensure good yields you need to spend time in the garden to water, weed, and check for insect pests. Some crops will benefit from a modest sidedressing of nitrogen fertilizer […]
When looking to improve your garden it can be a good idea to take inspiration from your surroundings. Why confine your creative thoughts to standard garden themes. If you look around to draw inspiration you’ll be surprised at the amount of ideas you can get. The Challenge My client had a postage stamp sized plot in the heart of the […]
Dahlias, especially small flowered kinds, have great possibilities as border plants. They may be used in masses or planted in combination with annuals and perennials. Most of the small Dahlias are early and profuse bloomers, starting to flower in July and continuing right through till frost. Dahlias in combination with other flowers should be planted as early as the ground […]
We are just not satisfied with ordinary gardening any longer. Water gardening is sweeping our country. More and more people are adding water features to their landscape. Water has been a part of landscaping throughout the ages. Within the last few years water gardening popularity has increased by leaps and bounds. Why are ponds and waterfalls becoming more and more […]
Herbs, in my opinion should be grown in every garden. Not requiring a lot of space or care, the benefits are immense. Think about various dishes that are made and you will find at least one herb flavouring it; potatoes and chives or lovage, tomatoes and basil, spaghetti sauce and oregano, and many more. Herbs like other plants fall into […]
Seed sowing Many garden plants are propagated from seed and good germination is encouraged by providing the seeds with the best conditions. Moisture and air must be present in the propagating medium (whether soil or a special compost) and the temperatures must be suitable. Very high temperatures are seldom necessary. Most garden and greenhouse sown seeds need temperatures of 50-60°F […]
The zucchini is starting to produce and summer salads are a staple of evening dinners. It’s tempting at this time of the year to put your feet up, relax and enjoy the bounty of your hard work. Yet by November, I’m often left wishing I had put in a little more effort in July so that I could harvest fresh […]
These are crops grown especially for salads and those which, although suitable for other use, may also be added to the salad bowl. You should create your own salad recipe of plants. Lettuce is the foundation of most salads and the gardener may take his choice from the many butterheads, crispheads, cos and loose leaf varieties. `May Queen’ is liked […]
People are wanting plants that are a little more unusual in their gardens. Hybridizers are changing commonly see plants; developing variegated foliage, producing unique blossom colours and changing flower shapes and sizes. Even though these old varieties are becoming new and are in demand again, some unchanged old varieties, not commonly seen are making their way back into gardens. Most […]
There is a large family of plants commonly called the Primrose. These mostly hardy perennials are native to Europe, North America and some parts of Asia, with one variety, Primula magellanica, is native to South America. The many varieties available to gardeners can be grown in either bog or woodland gardens, rock gardens and as houseplants. Primulas mostly require a […]