While it may be cold, frosty and even snowy in February the first welcome signs of spring are starting to show. Bulbs such as Snowdrops, Woodland Cyclamen , and Aconites will be coming into flower as will garden plants such as Hellebores. In the garden it is the time to start to prepare for the spring as well.

Seed potatoes will now be in stock at garden centres.  Varieties of potatoes are divided into early, second early and main crop varieties. If space is limited then concentrate on the early varieties. These tend to be less prone to pest problems. Second early varieties take 16 to 17 weeks to mature while main crop potatoes take 18 to 20 weeks. The main crop varieties produce the biggest crops and are the best if you want varieties to store. Most centres will stock small packs of unusual varieties that enable you to try them out in the garden, or even grow them in a container!

Potatoes need for chitting around six weeks before planting – place the potato tubers with the round end (which has most of the buds that will form the new plant) upwards in old egg boxes with plenty of natural light. The potatoes will be ready for planting when the new shoots are 1.5cm to 2 cm (0.5 to 1inch) long. They will be ready for planting from Mid March to April.

This is a good time to prune back summer flowering Clematis such as Jackmanii Superba, Ville de Lyon and viticella types. The varieties flower on the new growth made during the spring and summer so these need to be cut back to around 15-20cm (6-8”) from the ground to a strong pair of buds. 

Other things to do in the garden this month:-

·         Prune autumn-fruiting raspberries and feed with Westland Sulphate of Potash Fruit & Flower food

·         Give established blackcurrants their annual prune, aim to prune out a quarter of the old stems

·         Finish planting any bare root fruit canes, bushes and trees

·         Place forcing jars over clumps of rhubarb

·         Plant out onion sets

·         Sow veg. seeds such as broccoli, early carrots, cut and come again lettuce, parsnips

·         Sow peppers, aubergines, chillies and tomatoes indoors to give you the earliest plants for growing in the greenhouse

·         Sow broad beans individually in 3in pots and leave to germinate on the windowsill

·         Cut back overgrown shrubs and feed with slow-release fertiliser such as Westland Bonemeal Root Builder

·         Sow annual flower seeds under cover, for example Alyssum, Busy Lizzies, Cosmos, Petunias and Sunflowers

·         Top dress containers by replacing top inch with new compost

·         Mulch beds and borders with a Chipped Bark

A new year and new beginnings, whatever is going on in the wider world the garden is constant joy as it changes through the year.  Working in the vegetable garden or on the allotment gives a huge uplift to the spirit especially as you gather in the crops you have grown. Get your children involved in the garden by giving them a small area to tend and pass on your enthusiasm for gardening.

January is a good time to take stock of the garden and make plans for the coming year.  Keeping a diary of the successes and failures in the garden is a great idea to so that you avoid repeating the mistakes you made in the garden, and more to the point develop on your successes. Use it to record sowing dates, varieties used and harvest dates. Use it too to make notes of your friends gardening successes or things you see when you visit gardens. If you like visiting gardens have a look at the National Garden Scheme website – www.ngs.org.uk . Across the UK gardens of all shapes and sizes open to the public for charity under the NGS banner.

The end of January sees the arrival of seed potatoes in garden centres. The range of varieties can seem daunting – but don’t be afraid to ask for help. These days it’s possible to buy sample packs which enable you to try out different varieties – ideal too for planting in containers.

January can see the pesky pigeon eating the leaves of cabbages, sprouts and sprouting broccoli. To protect the place netting strung tautly over the top of the crops and down the sides. 

Start to prepare Rhubarb for forcing. Select a root or two of rhubarb and add a mulch layer of material from your compost heap to around 15cm (6”) deep. Top off with buckets or large pots to help force some early stems that will come through pink and tender.

Other things to do in the garden this month

* Prune Apples, Pears, Currants and Gooseberries

* Cover beds with cloches or polythene to warm the soil ready for early sowing

* Sow early veg under cover: for example, Leek Edison, Onion Unwins Exhibition, Strawberry Temptation, Tomato Moneymaker, Broad Bean Aquadulce Claudi

* Take root cuttings from perennials including oriental poppies, pulsatilla and echinops.

* Keep a check on newly planted roses and shrubs

* Put out food and water for wild birds

* Check newly planted shrubs.

* Aeriate lawn taking care not to stand on waterlogged areas.

* Keep plants in containers protected from frost and check weekly to see whether they need watering.

* Feed established trees in late January with Growmore Garden Fertiliser

The garden in December is a quiet month in the calendar, especially with everything else going on in getting prepared for Christmas, but if its dry and clear then there’s still work to be done in digging over the vegetable patch or removing those remaining leaves.

The garden is still a great source for Christmas decorations. Collect decorative seed heads as well as the traditional holly and ivy.

Providing the weather is still open this time of year is ideal for planting fruit trees and bushes.  Apple trees are normally grafted onto a rootstock which controls how big a tree it makes. A M26 rootstock produces a small to medium sized tree, while a M106 makes a bigger tree and is suitable for the larger garden.  Ask one of our experienced members of staff for more details. Before planting any fruit trees make sure the ground is well prepared and that any persistent weed such as couch grass (also known as twitch) is removed. 

If you have an old apple tree in your garden you might like to try establishing Mistletoe on it. This plant is a parasitic plant which doesn’t have roots in the soil but lives on the branches of its host, and can grow on trees such as domestic apple, crab apple, lime, black poplar, hawthorn, crack willow, ash, sycamore, pear, whitebeam. If the tree is healthy it doesn’t normally harm the host, just taking some minerals and water. The best time to establish the plant on the tree is in February or March so keep the mistletoe you buy at Christmas in a vase of water in a cool place such as a shed after the festivities are over. Make a small cut on the underside of a branch about 5ft above the ground and place the berry into the cut and then wrap with a piece of sacking or cloth. This prevents the birds taking it. Success isn’t guaranteed but its fun to try. 

·                                 Sow windowsill crops including herbs and salad leaves.

·                                 Harvest autumn sown winter salads

·                                 Spread a thick layer of organic Farmyard Manure around the base of fruit trees.

·                                 Propagate your favourite fruit, such as currants and gooseberries by taking hardwood cuttings.

·                                 Protect plants and pots from frost damage by placing inside or wrapping in horticultural fleece.

·                                 Plant a winter planter to add colour to your patio.

·                                 Water houseplants sparingly.

·                                 Clean house plants regularly to keep the leaves free of dust.

·                                 Continue to tidy the borders removing dead foliage and debris and cutting back overgrown plants.

·                                 After heavy winter rain, top up mulches around the base of your trees.

·                                 Don't add fertiliser or plant food at this time of year as it could promote early growth that would be affected by frost and freezing winds

I always associate November in the garden with the faint smell of wood smoke, but often with clear sunny days. In the garden there’s still plenty to do.  Clear fallen leaves of grass areas or the turf underneath will soon show signs of damage.  Tidy up borders and remove any weeds so that come the spring your garden will stay clean.  Perennial weeds can be treated with Roundup to ensure that the roots are killed as well. 

Give a final prune to any hedges around your garden. To make the clear up job easier after you have finished pruning lay a plastic sheet as close underneath the hedge so the clippings fall on it. Then all you have to do is gather up the sheet! 

As the days get colder don’t forget to look after the birds in your garden. The range of different feeds available for birds has increased enormously over the last few year, your local garden centre will be able to give advise on what’s best. 

November is an excellent time to plant shrubs and trees as the soil will be warm and moist which aids good root growth so the plants become well established before the spring.  If however the ground is frosty (or even snowy as it was last year) then its best to wait till the frosts have gone. 

If you haven’t already done so there’s still time to plant up your tubs and containers to give lots of colour to your patio through the winter. Winter flowering heathers mixed with pansies make an ideal combination, or why not try planting a Skimmia rubella with its dark red plume of flower in the centre of the container and surround it with trailing ivies.  In order to prevent containers becoming water logged during the winter always stand on decorative feet.  

There is still time to plant a wide range of bulbs to fill your garden with colour next spring. In fact almost every bulb planted now will give a reasonable display although traditional planting times are always best for long-term well-being of the plants.   

After last winter when so many plants were lost to frost now’s the time to protect tender plants from wind and frost with fleece or if in a container move into a glasshouse or conservatory. If that’s not possible wrap the container in bubble plastic. If they are in a more prominent place then disguise the plastic with an outer layer of decorative hessian. Tie the leaves of cordylines up vertically. This will prevent water accumulating at the point where the leaves join the stem and then freezing which will result in the stem rotting off in the winter. 

Here are some more things to do in November:

·                Apply grease bands to fruit trees to protect them from winter moths.

·                Clear and prepare the ground to make new fruit or veg patch.

·                Clear the crops that are over and dig in organic Farmyard Manure.

·                Sow windowsill crops including herbs and salad leaves.

·                Grow sprouting seeds for the kitchen.

·                Start a mushroom kit

October in the Garden

Leaves of trees and shrubs are turning russet colour and berries are bright orange and scarlet. As we prepare for the first frosts of the winter it’s time to protect tender plant material and tidy up beds and borders as we replace summer bedding with spring bulbs, winter pansies and wallflowers.

Beds and Borders

Although its not been the warmest of summers Lincolnshire has had quite a dry summer compared with the north of England and Scotland. Some plants have come through the dry period better than others – Cone flowers (Echinacea) and rudbeckia have done well.  They now have a recently increased colour range that with fresh breeding includes oranges and yellow shades as well as the more usual pinks. If you are replanting a hot, dry border look out for yellow ‘Sunrise’ and orange ‘Sunset’. Helenium, sedum and asters (often called michaelmas daisies) will also be giving a last display. Many of these autumn flowering plants are susceptible to powdery mildew attack, especially when the soil is dry, and should be sprayed with a fungicide at the first signs of the white deposit.

Perennial autumn anemones often called Japanese anemones make a great display at this time of the year in white or magenta pink blooms. They too are tolerant of dryish soils and can tolerate a fair amount of shade.

It’s time to clear out summer bedding plants as they finish flowering or when the first frosts turn leaves black. Place all annual flower plants onto the compost heap and dig out as many weeds as possible.

As most people found last winter dahlia tubers do not survive harsh winters and if they are to survive from year to year need to be lifted now and stored in a frost free shed or garage. Dig up the tubers and knock off as much soil as possible with a blunt stick. Cut back the stem to leave just 15cm (6”) and turn this upside down so that all moisture drains from the hollow stem. Leave in an airy place for a fortnight to allow the tubers to dry off completely before dusting with sulphur powder and wrapping individually in newspaper. Place in a cardboard box in a frost-free position.

Gladioli corms and begonia corms should be treated in the same way, as these too are subject to frost damage and storage rots.

If you have a sheltered conservatory or a well-lit porch you could pot up tender fuchsias to extend their useful life in a protected frost-free position. Before planting the roots in pots of fresh Miracle-Gro All Purpose Potting Compost check over the roots to ensure they are free of vine weevil grubs. These crescent-shaped white bugs with brown heads can be left on the lawn for the birds to feed on.

When the beds are clear take the opportunity to dig in well-rotted organic matter from your compost heap or similar material bought in bags such as Levington Soil Conditioner or Miracle-Gro Soil Improver.

In the cleared flower borders plant daffodils, narcissi, hyacinths and crocus early in October so they can develop a good, strong root system while your soil is relatively warm. To prevent these glorious spring bulbs from getting weaker and weaker each year feed the soil now so these new roots can absorb balanced nutrients throughout the winter. For maximum growth add a slow release plant food so that the plant can draw nutrients during autumn and again in the spring when growth is strong and the bulb is creating the flower buds that will form the blooms for the subsequent year’s display. If your soil is short of organic matter then digging in Bulb Booster Compost will provide a reservoir of moisture and nutrients.

Autumn is the best time of year for planting trees and shrubs. The cooler temperatures above ground mean that shoots, stems and leaves are only growing slowly - whereas below ground the soil temperature stays warm enough to encourage the growth and spread of roots.

Patio

Hyacinths and late-flowering tulips are not best displayed in the flower border, but are perfect for pots. The waxy petals of highly perfumed hyacinths need to be proudly displayed close to the house so that you get full benefit from their beauty and heady scent. Likewise tulips that bloom in May are just a nuisance in flower borders as you may be itching to clear the bed ready for summer flowers just when they are at the peak of their show.

Because different varieties of tulips bloom at different times mixing them up is not the way to achieve the optimum display. Why not plant up one variety per container and then move the pots around so that those showing flowers are moved to the front of your patio display. Variety names of tulips seem to develop year after year so recommending varieties become more and more difficult.

Early flowering starts in March or April with dwarf Greigii and Kaufmanniana tulips such as Red Riding Hood, Cape Cod (red with yellow flushed edges) and Pinocchio (red with white edges). Depending on the number of containers you have to fill you could continue with the May blooming Darwin Hybrids such as Apeldoorn (red) Apeldoorn Delight (yellow flushed with red or Olympic Flame (bright yellow streaked with red). Latest of all are the lily-flowered tulips that have reflexed and pointed petals that form urn-shaped flowers on tall wiry stems. Queen of Sheba is red with white highlights, while Maytime is lilac mauve with the same white edges. Perhaps most attractive of all is the soft pink blooms of China Pink.

After planting your spring bulbs it is well worth topping off the container with spring bedding such as wallflowers, winter pansies or double daisies (bellis). These will not only provide a contrasting flower form but will also give some physical support to the tall stems of some of these tulips.

Lawn

Keep the lawn and surrounding flower borders free of fallen leaves as much as possible. This will reduce the possibility of bare patches developing on the grass and reduce the hiding places for harmful slugs and snails.

Now that grass growth has slowed down you can improve the drainage on the lawn by spiking the whole area with a garden fork driven into the soil at least 10cm (4”). Autumn rains will penetrate deep down and lawns that have been parched during the hot, dry summer will quickly recover from drought conditions.

If your soil is heavy clay it’s a good idea to fill these holes with sharp sand to keep the new drainage holes open and aerate compacted areas. Not only does this allow more air into the root area but it allows more water to easily penetrate to root level. Improving drainage will also help to reduce the spread of mosses on damp soil surfaces and increase the effectiveness of moss killers.

Continue feeding and watering pots, containers and vegetable and harvesting your crops as and when they are ready. 

Plant up colchicum and autumn flowering crocus to give you a fantastic flower display in September and October. When planted in clumps under trees in an otherwise bare bed,

Colchicum ‘Innocence’ will provide a dazzling white contrast to dark soil.

During drought periods (if we get any!), spike the lawn surface with a garden fork to ensure that all available moisture whether from rain or sprinkler gets down evenly to the roots rather than running off to the edges of the lawn.  

Strawberries are the easiest fruits to propagate as they produce tiny plantlets at the end of runners at this time of the year. To encourage them to root tidily, peg down the new plantlets into individual pots of Multi-Purpose Compost using wire or a straightened-out paper clip. After a month or so the runners to these new plants can be cut and the rooted

plants moved to a new row that has been enriched with Miracle-Gro Fruit & Vegetable Compost. Tidy up parent plants that you wish to keep with a pair of shears, cutting off all this

year's foliage.  

Here are some more tips on what to do in the garden this month:

·         Lift onions and dry on rack.

·         Continue to harvest veg such as peas and runner beans.

·         Harvest first apples and pears if ready.

·         Water and feed tomatoes.

·         Protect salad plants from slugs and snails.

·         Keep feeding your container plants

·         Use water wisely, consider setting up a waterbutt.

·         Prepare your pots and containers well in advance if you are planning a holiday.

·         Prune late summer flowering shrubs after flowering.

·         Prune Wisteria now to encourage the development of new flowering spurs for next year's display of flowers.

It’s July when all the hard work of the spring really starts to pay off. Your hanging baskets and containers will be in full flower, the flower garden will be full of colour and in the vegetable garden you will be starting to harvest salad crops and new potatoes. Hopefully the weather is fine so that you can enjoy using the garden to entertain family and friends with barbeques or just to sit out in the sun!

If it is dry you will need to ensure that you continue to water your bedding plants and any newly planted shrubs and trees. Its always best to water in the evenings when its cooler so that the water has a chance to get into the ground. A good long soak once or twice a week is always better than just sprinkling water over the plants every day, as it gives the soil a chance to absorb the water. Mulching your shrubs with decorative bark will also help to retain water. 

Don’t forget to feed your tubs and containers as the initial nutrients in the compost will soon get used up at this time of year. Use Miracle Gro plant food or All Purpose Soluble plant food.

Here are some tips on what to do in the garden this month:

·          Lift new potatoes

·          Pinch out outdoor tomatoes when 4 trusses have formed.

·          Keep the fruit garden well weeded so that the weeds do not compete with your plants for vital moisture and nutrients.

·          Clear crops that have come to an end, feed soil with Growmore Garden Fertiliser and start replacing with new crops.

·          Trees that have been recently planted, even up to two years ago, need careful attention if the weather is hot and dry.

·          If the weather is hot and dry some rose varieties and shrubs can quickly succumb to mildew.

·          Deadhead flowers as they fade to encourage more flower growth.

June has the promise of hot summer days, and a time to enjoy the garden, with the first spring crops coming to fruition and summer bedding plants coming into flower.

There’s still plenty to do of course with fruit, vegetables, containers and baskets needing regular feeding and watering. At this time of year rain soon evaporates as the ground is relatively warm so it’s essential to ensure that your crops are well watered.  In the vegetable garden you need to continue sowing vegetables to ensure a season long supply. 

The lawn too will require mowing and feeding too if we have rain. However if the weather is very dry stop mowing and do not feed at all. It will lose its colour, but will soon green up again once it rains again.

Here are some tips on what to do in the garden this month:

• Earth up potatoes to ensure a bumper crop.
• Liquid feed container and greenhouse crops try Nutri Fruit & Veg Feed.
• Continue to sow salads, runner beans, peas, lettuces.
• Now’s the time to sow winter Flowering Pansies, Wallflowers and Sweet William in trays of John Innes Seed Sowing Compost.
• Lift and divide overgrown bulbs like daffodils.
• Feed clumps of spring flowering bulbs with a liquid feed such as Nutri Plant Feed to help them prepare for next years show.
• Plant out summer bedding plants once all risk of frost has passed.
• Plant up containers using a Multi-Purpose Compost.
• Plant up hanging baskets, mixing in Water Saving Gel and slow release fertilisers with compost.
• Keep slugs and snails at bay, especially around Hosta try Slug Attack or Slug Buster.
• When you have cut the lawn apply the Liquid Aftercut Lawn Feed and Conditioner to the lawn as a tonic.
• Make a check on the condition of the lawn, in particular for weeds and moss that may have invaded the lawn

This time of year is ideal for planting one of our most colourful flowering plants the Fuchsia. It can be used either in indoor as a houseplant or outdoor in the border, in baskets and in containers. They come in a range of shapes, sizes and flower colours.

The first fuchsia to be discovered was Fuchsia triphylla on the island of Hispaniola, which we know today as Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It was found by a French monk who named it after the German botanist Leonart Fuchs. There are currently 110 known species which are mainly native of South America, with a few from Central America and also from New Zealand where they occur naturally in the interior of forests or in damp and shady mountainous situations.

From the species there are now many thousand hybrids which range in hardiness and use. Here are some suggestions of varieties suitable for use in the gardens of Lincolnshire.

 Hardy Fuchsias  

These varieties will normally survive most winters, but they may well suffer in extremely cold weather. They are ideal for planting in shrub borders and will give colour through the summer right through until the autumn.

F Beacon                              Dark Pink and mauve flowers

F Display                              Central tube of the flower is a deep pink with rose pink outer

F Dollar Princess              Double flowers with cerise crimson outer and purple centr

F Tom Thumb                    Red and mauve flowers, compact growth. RHS Award of Garden Merit

F Hanna                                Red outer and white centre

 Trailing and Bush Varieties 

These varieties are ideal for use when planting up tubs, container and hanging baskets. Use the trailing varieties in baskets so they hang down over the basket, while the bush varieties go well in planted containers and tubs.

 Some suggested varieties include,  

F Annabel                           Pink and white double flowers. Trailing to semi bush variety

F La Campanella               White and pink semi double flowers. Trailing

F Marinka                            Bright red flowers.  Trailing

F Swingtime                       Red and White flowers. Trailing

F Carmel Blue                    White outer and purple centre. Bush

F Mieke Meursing           White and pink flowers. Bush

 How to Get the Best from Your Fuchsia 

Dead heading fuchsias regularly will provide continuous flowering rather than flushes of flower.

All Fuchsias but especially those grown in tubs and baskets will respond well to a high nitrogen feed initially and then a feed of high potash when in flower. Do ask in you local garden centre for advice on what feed to give. In the garden fuchsias do best in a sheltered shaded position with a fertile, moist but well drained soil.

 Things to be Doing In the Garden In May and June 

·         When planting bedding or shrubs make sure you water  the plants well before planting

·         Lawns will be growing quickly now and will require regular cutting

·         Set up your own compost bin. Grass mowing’s, mixed with vegetable peelings will produce a rich compost which will add nutrient to your garden. Don’t just give it free to the council! 

·         Treat weeds in lawns with a selective week killer such as Verdone Extra Ready to Use

·         Plant up patio containers – put a feature plant in the centre such as a cordyline and surround it with bedding plants of your choice, such as Impatiens or Petunias. There are now several specialist composts such as Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Compost which is less likely to dry out in the summer.

·         Sweet corn, runner beans, French beans, squash, courgettes and outdoor cucumbers are best sown in pots and kept under glass till the end of month when the danger of frost has passed. They can then be planted out in the garden.

·         The seeds of hardier vegetables can be sown directly into shallow drills out in the garden include carrots, lettuce, broccoli, spinach, radish and peas.

·         Earth up potatoes in May to protect the tender shoots from frost.

·         Check roses for signs of aphid and ask at your local garden centre for the best method of treatment.

With the clocks changing at the end of last month the longer days and lighter evenings gives us more time to enjoy the garden as well as to get the garden in shape for the spring and summer.

Lawns will now be growing well and you will need to start to cut them fortnightly or even weekly if the weather is fine. Now’s a good time to feed the lawn to keep them looking at their best. Its also an ideal time to sow or turn new lawns.

The early spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils will be starting to go over but the tulips should be at their best this month. Don’t be in a hurry to take the foliage off the bulbs – leave them for at least six weeks so that the bulbs can store sufficient food to take them through into next year.

Hardy perennials will be starting to grow and it’s a very good time to lift and divide large clumps. Using a spade simply dig up the whole of the clump and then using the spade carefully divide the clump. You should get several new plants that you can replant in the border.

In the glasshouse now is the time to be sowing greenhouse vegetables such as tomatoes. You can also start frost tender vegetables such as courgettes and runner beans in pots either in the glasshouse or on a warm windowsill.

As spring breaks and the garden comes alive, the state of your lawn is a critical factor in the appearance of the whole garden. Bring your lawn up to scratch now to realise its full potential. The grass will start to grow and now is the time to start to give it its first cuts. Start off with the mower set so that it cuts just the top third of growth.  Don’t cut the lawn if it is frosty or very wet.

If your lawn has moss in it March is the ideal time to treat it. Ask at the centre for advice on what to use. 

Now is the time to start sowing vegetables such as carrots, radishes and lettuces outdoors. Plant out onions from sets as well as your first early potato’s. Weed the fruit and vegetable beds so that they have a good start.

Sweet peas should be sown now so that they establish well. Sow in John Innes Seed and Sowing compost in small pots under cover. 

Other things to do:

Prune bushes and shrubs to encourage new growth

Plant Gladioli and Lily bulbs around the borders for summer growth

Divide and replant congested herbaceous plants

Sow hardy outdoor flowers such as Love-in-a-mist, cornflowers and calendula

Gardening in January and February does rather depend on what the weather is doing. Hopefully after all the cold and snowy weather we had before Christmas it will be a mild start to the year.

If the ground isn't frozen outside then it's a good time to start your winter digging on the vegetable patch, taking care to remove any perennial weeds such as couch grass you may find. Before you start to dig spread a layer of compost such as farmyard over the surface. As you dig the area the manure will get worked into the soil enhancing its nutrition.

Indoors prepare seed potato for planting later in the spring. Place the seed potato's in old egg cartons with the rose end (where you can see tiny buds) upwards. The trays should be kept in a cool but light place for four to six weeks prior to planting. This will encourage the buds to start to grow but they should remain short and dark green. If they turn white and become elongated they aren't  getting enough light. 

Other things to do:

• Prune Apple and Pear trees
• Keep an eye out for weeds in the vegetable garden
• Start to sow seeds under frost protection such as a greenhouse.
• Check that the snow and frost hasn't loosened newly planted shrubs.
• Prune back overgrown shrubs
• Plant summer flowering bulbs
• Plan for the spring
• Winter pruning of Wisteria - for more advice see below

Plants to add colour to you garden in January and February:

• Dogwoods
• Gaultheria
• Snowdrops (these can be divided soon after flowering)
• Helleborus varieties
• Hardy Cyclamens

House Plants

Poinsettia's. You can't beat poinsettia's to provide plenty of colour and festive cheer to your home over winter. They are available in a range of colours, just look at what's on offer in our houseplant section. All of our plants have been grown locally to give you the best quality plant. When you get them home place them in a light warm position, well away from draughts and extreme heat. Keep the soil moist and feed every two weeks with poinsettia feed.

Chemicals and Fertilisers

Remember to spray your fruit trees with a winter wash for the control of insects and place a grease band around fruit trees to catch the creepy crawlies that will damage your fruit. Don't forget to mulch your crops with farmyard manure or bark to ensure bumper crops next summer.

Cleaning

Remember to spray your paths and drives with a suitable algicide to clean areas and stop the surface from being too slippery. Patio Magic is only £9.99 and this great product is applied by watering can, no brushing required. Also use Jeyes Fluid to clean in your greenhouse and potting shed.

Gifts

If you're struggling with gift ideas we have a great range to tempt you. We have a great range of artificial plants and flowers, jewellery, collectables, art, pictures, vases, gift boxes ect. In fact, Pennells has Christmas all wrapped up.

Autumn Shrubs

Now's the time to plant! Plants establish far better when planted in the autumn. Try Skimmia Rubella, this evergreen shrub has pink flower buds through the winter which open to give white flowers in the spring. Ideal for tubs or pots. Or try Mahonia Winter Sun with fragrant yellow flowers in late summer and early winter.

Feed the Birds

Remember to feed the birds this autumn and winter! We have 50 Fat Snax for only £8.99. We have an excellent range of bird tables and feeders - everything to keep the birds flocking to your garden this autumn and winter.

Autumn Bedding

Don't miss out on our autumn bedding plants from our own nurseries. Mini cyclamen in a range of colours for only £1.99 each, Pansy or Viola's in a pack of 6 plants - buy 5 packs for £11.00 - that's only £2.20 a pack.

As we approach the colder autumn days the leaves on the trees change colour and soon start to fall. Collect the fallen leaves to make compost for next season. Its important to remove them from lawns as they will soon damage the grass, but in the borders unless they are unsightly they can be left as the worm population will soon pull them below the surface.

There is still time to be planting bulbs for next spring, and we continue to have a good range for sales.

This is an excellent time of year to be planting shrubs and perennials as the soil is still warm. This will encourage the plants to make new roots which will get them firmly established so that come next spring they will grow away well.

In the vegetable garden nows a good time to be lifting and dividing rhubarb. Try sowing herbs such as parsley, dill and coriander into small pots to harvest from the windowsill during the winter.

Nows the time to change over the summer bedding in your pots and containers to autumn and winter bedding. We have a large range of pansies and other winter flowering bedding plants which will keep your patio looking beautiful through the winter.

Buy your bulbs from the garden centre early in the season so you have the pick of the bunch when it comes to variety and colour. Some bulbs such as daffodils, chionodoxa, snowdrop, winter aconite, crocus and anemone blanda appreciate being planted in September. Early planting in pots of Bulb Planting Compost is a great way to encourage these bulbs to develop a huge root system before the onset of winter.  This ensures the plant can take up plenty of energy next spring so the bulb and its offsets produce flowers for many years to come.

When planting in pots or in soil borders try to get the spacing right allowing at least the width of a bulb between each one. Cover the bulbs to the recommended depth and enrich the surface with a slow release fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro Slow Release Feriliser. This will release nutrients while the soil is warm enough and plants are growing yet will stop completely during cold weather so nutrients are not wasted. Best of all, a slow release plant food like this will hold on to enough nutrients so that it is able to feed emerging bulbs in the spring when they need all the energy to form new flower buds for the subsequent year's blooms.

For winter display you can't rely on flowering plants to produce colour or interest throughout the year. That's why you need to introduce evergreen plants and variegated leaf forms to mix with your chosen flowers. There are several very useful herbs that are evergreen for most of the year, including Thyme and Sage. The common thyme is a hardy perennial with small yellowish leaves and small purple flowers whilst the variegated sage has cream and green splashed leaves with new foliage carrying attractive pink edges. Both herbs can be pinched out regularly to provide useful fresh flavourings to soups and casseroles.

The introduction of a silver leafed perennial such as Cineraria maritima ‘Silverdust' will supply attractive intricate leaves that will decorate your pot during all but the harshest winters.

Top off your pot with violas in an interesting colour. The small pansy-like plants are generally self-coloured although varieties with ‘faces' and ‘whiskers' are available. These will flower on and off throughout the year depending on temperature and sunshine. To break the sharp edges of the pot place a couple of variegated ivies or other trailing bedding plants so that the leaves trail over the pot. When put together the collection will provide interest and colour year round. Just remember to water when it is dry, even in winter.

Do visit your garden centre to see the wide variety of plants that they have available for winter containers. If you need ideas look for shrubs such as euonymus, viburnum, senecio and hebe. For winter flowers think about Universal pansies, polyanthus and Daisies (Bellis). Small bulbs such as crocus, anemone and dwarf narcissi such as ‘Minnow' and ‘Tete a Tete' can also be pushed below the surface of the compost to provide interesting flowers in spring.

There is nothing like seeing a splash of colour from flowering bulbs to herald the start of spring. Planting bulbs is one of the fastest and easiest ways of creating a bright array. September is the time to be planting bulbs that will flower between January and May next year, such as daffodils, snowdrops, bluebells, tulips, hyacinths and crocus.

Before buying and planting your bulbs it's a good idea to draw up a planting plan. Choose a mixture of colours and varieties, and plants of different heights and flowering times to create real interest. You could plant tulips in your flowerbed and then plant crocus in the front of them. Alternatively add a clump of bulbs to provide a natural touch under shrubbery or on the lawn.  It's always best to group colours and sorts so that one part of your garden is in full bloom, rather than a few bulbs dotted around.

Flowering bulbs are ideal for mixing with other flowering bulbs or bedding plants in containers, or for planting amid other plants that bloom at other times of year.

Choosing the bulb for your garden

Planting

• Do not plant when the soil is very dry, waterlogged or frozen
• Plant several bulbs in one large hole or trench. Make sure they aren't touching
• Dig the soil over well before planting - working the soil to a depth which is at least twice the height of the bulb
• In wet soils place a 2.5cm layer of sharp sand or grit at the bottom of the hole
• Plant bulbs twice as deep as the height of the bulb, (check the packet for detailed instructions)
• Large bulbs should be spaced at 12cm intervals, smaller at 10cm.
• Cover the bulbs with loosened soil and then water in. Remember to mark where you have planted bulbs so you do not disturb them in the future

Care

Once planted spring flowering bulbs require very little after care. The bulbs can be left in the ground for subsequent years. If you wish you can feed the plants just as the flowers are going over which will build the bulbs for the next spring.

Gardening Tips for August

Its important that you continue to feeding your container plants - as the plants get bigger they soon use up any nutrients in the compost. We recommend Miracle Gro Pour and Feed.

Use water wisely, consider setting up a waterbutt to collect the rain fall from your roof. If the tap water in your area is hard then using rain water will be of great benefit to acid loving plants.

Prune late summer flowering shrubs after flowering.

Prune Wisteria now to encourage the development of new flowering spurs for next year's display of flowers. For more information on how to do this see the article below.

Keep an eye on any new plants in the garden and be sure to water them. At this time of year any rain we do get soon dries up - so remember to give at least two or three litres a plant until they become established.

In the vegetable garden nows the time to be lifting onions and drying them on rack. Continue to harvest veg such as peas and runner beans. Keep an eye on your apples and pears as they will soon be ripening. Nows the time to start to propagate new strawberry plants by selecting runners.

Continue to tie in and support tomato plants, peppers, cucumbers, aubergines and melons as they develop, especially as fruit starts to swell or they will quickly topple over and be damaged

Water and feed tomatoes - Tomorite is designed to ensure that your plants continue to thrive

Protect salad plants from slugs and snails. Now the weather has turned wetter then the slugs will be out looking for a meal. We recommend Eraza as one of the best methods for control. This new product is five times more effective than conventional pellets.

Summer time is the best time to enjoy the lawn but it can also have the biggest toll on your grass. It doesn't take a lot of effort to keep your lawn looking good throughout the summer season and with the right tools and treatments at your fingertips you simply can't go wrong. Persistent hot and dry weather can quickly affect the appearance and overall health of the grass plants.

Mowing

You will now probably need to increase the regularity with which you mow your lawn, if the conditions are ideal for growth you may need to cut twice a week to keep it looking good. However in very hot weather the grass may stop growing so reduce the number of times you mow it accordingly.  Don't mow the lawn too short when it is very hot as this can cause damage to occur. Use an edging iron to keep lawn edges neat and tidy.

If you are going away on holiday, cut the lawn before you go. Don't be tempted to cut it very short, as this will cause it stress. Weak grass cannot compete well with invading weeds and moss and will suffer. Cut it as normal as near to your leaving date as possible.

Feeding

Apply a feed to keep you lawn looking green and healthy. Aftercut Lawn Feed and Conditioner can be applied directly after mowing and can be used every 3 to 4 weeks until October. If the ground is compacted then aerate it with a hollow tine aerator or use a garden fork. Make regular holes all over the grass surface and then brush Lawn & Turf Dressing into the holes. This will help to create a thicker, healthier lawn and also improve drainage.

Weeds

Small patches of weeds can be treated effectively using a selective weed killer such as Resolva Lawn WeedKiller. For larger areas of weeds or if moss is also present, apply Feed, Weed & Moss Killer. Lawns treated in the spring may need a second application if the moss or weeds are persistent.

Pests

Keep a watch out for chewed lawn roots and patchy lawns that may indicate a problem with leather jackets and chafer grubs. These are underground larvae that feed on grass roots and can be controlled using naturally occurring nematodes.

New Lawns

Keep newly sown lawns and freshly turfed areas well watered in dry spells. Ensure you water thoroughly, light watering can cause further damage by encouraging roots to the surface. Water at dusk and really soak the area so that the water filters through to the soil around the roots.

Enjoy the Lawn!

Don't forget to enjoy the lawn during the summer months, it is the perfect place to host garden parties or garden games while the weather is warm and the rest of the garden is looking good.

Gardening  Tips For July

With the hot weather we have been having recently you will need to be watering your hanging baskets and containers, as well as any new plants that you have planted this spring. Don't be tempted to water your plants in the heat of the day as you will find most of the water soon evaporates. The ideal time is in the evening just as its getting dusk. 

In order to keep your tubs and baskets growing well its necessary to keep feeding them as the initial nutrients in the compost will soon get used up at this time of year.  Use Miracle Gro or All Purpose Soluble Plant Food.

Another beneficial action is to spread a mulch layer of organic matter such as decorative bark chips or soil conditioner over the soil surface. For best results use Westland Decorative Mini Bark. These long-lasting chips will help soil to retain moisture six times longer than ordinary garden soil.

Sweet peas will be producing new flowers every day and will need to be cut regularly to fill your home with delicious scents of summer. If you leave plants for a few days to set seed then they usually stop producing new buds and flowers. So keep those scissors handy and feed these plants over the foliage and around the roots with Miracle-Gro Liquafeed.

Watch for pests attacking new plant growth and treat them as soon as the first culprits are noticed. Red lily beetle adults and their grubs will be a summer nuisance. As soon as you see the first adult spray with BugClear Ultra Gun! - just one treatment will protect your lilies for up to three weeks. You can use the same spray on all your decorative flowers including roses, philadelphus, lupins and other plants that are susceptible to aphid (greenfly and blackfly) attack.

Roses may be showing the first signs of powdery mildew on new buds and leaves. If that's the case spray them with a systemic fungicide such as FungusClear Ultra or FungusClear 2 Gun!

If you allow weeds to take over the gaps between flowers, shrubs and annual bedding you will be encouraging competition that will rob these wanted plants of soil moisture, soil nutrients, space and light. To see off the weeds without back-breaking hard work spray them with Weedol Max Gun! or Weedol Rootkill Plus. Weedol Rootkill Plus is best for weeds that have deep or wandering roots such as bindweed, couch grass, dandelions and nettles. But if you've only got small annual weeds such as chickweed, groundsel and meadow grass then Weedol Max Gun! will give a fast-acting kill. In fact on a warm day you will see the weeds begin to wilt and die in just one hour.

The Wisteria is one of the most spectacular flowering climbing plants. They will cover walls in a cascade of flower in dark purples, blues or even white which will cause the casual passer by to stop in their tracks to admire its glory!

However sometimes they can disappoint with lots of growth and not many flowers. So here are a few tips on getting that avalanche of flower!

Ensure that you choose a grafted plant. Seedling wisteria can take up to 20 years to start to flower.

• Choose a free flowering variety. Here are a few suggestions.
• Wisteria floribunda ‘Macrobotrys' - Scented violet flowers in very long racemes
• Wisteria sinensis ‘Prolific' - Lots of scented blue flowers in racemes up to 2ft long
• Wisteria ‘Black Dragon' - Dark blue scented flowers
• Plant in a sunny position
• Water well especially in the first few years.
• Wisteria will need some support to become established. The simplest method is to use strong wires between vine eyes or a heavy trellis to create a frame for the plant to climb up.

One of the keys to ensuring lots of flower is correct pruning. Wisterias are pruned twice a year, at this time of year and again in January and February.  

When a wisteria has finished flowering it produces lots of long whippy branches. In the early years tie these stems to the trellis or wires to create the framework for the plant. As the plant grows it becomes necessary to prune in the July or August to control the size of the wisteria and prevent it spreading onto roofs and gutters.  The pruning also encourages the plant to form the flower buds for the following year. Use a pair of secateurs to cut each of the unwanted long stems back so that they have five or six sets of leaves and tie them back to the support.

The winter pruning is carried out in January and February when the plant isn't in leaf with the aim of tidying the plant and ensuring that the flower isn't obscured with leaves. Any long stems that grew after the summer pruning should be cut back to five or six buds from the main stem. The stems that were pruned back in the summer should be pruned back to two or three buds.

June has the longest days and the chance of frosts at night have now passed so now you can plant outside your tender bedding plants and your vegetable plants such as tomatoes, sweet corn and runner beans. Plant up containers using West+ Multi-Purpose Compost. Mix in Water Saving Gel and Feed All Slow Release Tablets for the best results

However don't forget that as the weather gets hotter and drier you need to be watering and feeding your containers, hanging baskets, vegetables. Miracle Gro liquid feed is ideal to bring out the best in your plants.

For great results with tomatoes find a sunny spot against a wall to place one or two Tomorite Giant Planters. Plant three tomatoes per bag, leaving a well around each stem so that subsequent watering is easier. You should still be able to find seedling tomato plants of reliable varieties such as Alicante, Gardener's Delight and Golden Sunrise in your local garden centre. If you want to grow trailing forms of tomato such as Tumbler or Garden Pearl in patio pots or hanging baskets use West+ Container and basket Compost to get your salad fruits off to a flying start. Start feeding tomatoes with Tomorite as soon as the first truss has set fruit.

Your first crops will now be ready, but don't forget to keep sowing lettuces and other crops to ensure you have more to come.

Keep mowing and feeding the lawn to make sure it's looking its best. However if you do have problems with weeds such as dandelions in your lawn then you can still treat them with a selective weedkiller such as Verdone extra. Apply the chemical in between mowings for best effect.

Inevitably the weeds and bugs come out in force at this time of year. If your fruit and vegetables are being attacked with green or black fly, use Bugclear for fruit and veg at the first sign of the pest appearing, then repeat again in two weeks.

Westland Resolva 24H gives fast and effective control of both annual and deep-rooted perennial weeds.  Resolva 24H kills most weeds with a single application, but some tough weeds may require a second treatment.  If your drive or paths have weeds in them, then use Pathclear Season Long Weed killer  - one application kills and prevents weeds for up to three months.  Ideal for gravel paths, gravel drives and waste ground. 

Of course don't forget to enjoy your garden! To do this just sit down, relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour!

Take care to protect your bedding plants from frosts. Even when the days can seem warm night time temperatures can drop below freezing – so if you have planted out soft bedding remember to cover them with fleece at night.

Don’t forget to protect soft fruit such currants and gooseberries from bird damage. Cover the plants with Gardman Garden Netting.

Watch out for aphids (greenfly and blackfly) on roses, delphiniums, lupins, foxgloves and pansies. They can multiply with phenomenal speed, so a weekly check throughout the garden  is a good idea.  For decorative flowers use the BugClear Ultra Gun! – it’s systemic, so gets inside the plant’s sap stream to make it almost insect proof for several weeks. For edibles including herbs, vegetables and fruit use BugClear Gun! for Fruit & Veg.

Plant up hanging baskets, patio pots with tender flowers such as fuchsias, geraniums, pelargoniums, busy lizzies, petunias and all manner of trailing plants such as begonia, lobelia, erigeron, helichrysum and verbena. For magnificent results plant in Britain’s best container compost-Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Compost. This unique Aquacoir formula stores and releases water when the plants need it.

In May the grass is growing at its maximum rate, it will soon use up any energy reserves in the soil. The problem if this happens is that the grass will lose its vigour and turn pale and unloved in the process. If you have sorted out the moss and weeds earlier in spring and mow the grass regularly, all you will need to bring your lawn back to optimum condition is a balanced lawn food. EverGreen Mow it Less will give you a  green healthy lawn in just 3 days. Trials prove this special nutrient-rich formula feeds right down to the roots promoting slow, natural growth which means up to 50% less mowing than other lawn care products tested. Apply anytime for less mowing and more time for you.

Plant out brassicas with a felt pad around each stem. These circular mats placed on the soil will help to prevent the cabbage root fly from laying their eggs beside the plant stems. Some that are impregnated with copper will also deter slugs from getting onto the plants.

To avoid getting carrot fly this year follow these tips

·         Sow fly resistant varieties such as Flyaway or Resistafly

·         Sow seed thinly to eliminate the need to thin

·         Cover the seed bed with garden fleece

Nows the time to be earthing up your potatoes . When the plants have reached 20-30cm (8-12inches) tall then you need to draw the soil up and around them by scooping it out between the rows and using this soil to almost cover them over. This encourages potatoes to form higher up and ensures that light does not reach the developing tubers and turn them green. Ideally they should be ‘earthed up’ again in about 3 weeks.