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The tricky weather of late March and early April doesn’t make growing seasonal annuals easy, especially as the weather and light levels in February spurred growth on so well. We all know the famous saying “Ne’er cast a clout till May be out”, so cautious gardeners will wait until the May (hawthorn, quickthorn) is out (in bloom) before removing that vest and popping out those tender Busy Lizzies. If you have a porch, unheated greenhouse or a sheltered car-port there is no reason why planters and baskets cannot be made up in preparation for the summer bedding season and housed in those structures. Please be prepared to use some horticultural fleece as this will help keep the temperature more stable on cooler nights. Also don’t be overzealous when it comes to watering your newly-planted containers – too much water in cool conditions could lead to plants rotting off at the base. |
A new rose hedge?
Well, not quite, but Rosa ‘Queen Elizabeth’ does certainly look the part as a rose hedge line with those pure, clear-pink, beautifully-shaped floribunda flowers set against healthy and reliable foliage; it’s a sure winner as it repeat blooms as well! We are offering robust 3-litre container grown plants, ideal for planting right now, for just £4.99 each (normal price is £6.95). The price drops to £4.50 each if you purchase ten or more plants (and you get a further 10% with your discount card if you make your purchase on a Wednesday). Stock is limited, so do grab this bargain whilst stocks last. Plant Queen Elizabeth 60cm (2ft) apart in a single row for best effect. The hedge will easily attain 3ft high in its first season from planting.
Watch out for our exclusive range of Raymond Evison Clematis which has just arrived. These include new varieties being launched at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Another date for the diary, this time in mid-summer when we should all be enjoying our gardens and gleaning inspiration from others. This is our visit to the beautiful Royal Society Gardens at Wisley in Surrey on Wednesday 13th August. For full details, pick up a flyer at the Customer Services Desk or phone 01280 822133. The number of spaces on the coach is strictly limited, so do book early!
Garden Buildings |
For many years we have had a good range of garden sheds, summerhouses and log cabins available but having seen and admired the Julian Christian range of garden buildings we have decided to offer these to our customers as well. They are craftsmen built in the Chilterns just outside the picturesque village of Hambleden. In manufacture the emphasis is on attention to detail with the result that it is a product of uncompromised quality. The timber used is sourced from some of the best managed forests in Europe and is a tight grain Northern European Redwood which is very durable. It is treated with a coat of preservative to offer complete protection. The buildings are installed by the manufacturer’s installers and this is usually completed within one day, thus giving the minimal disruption. We will have two sample buildings on site by the 20th May, so we invite everyone along to have a browse – they make ideal garden rooms for entertaining one’s friends, taking a family meal or simply relaxing in the garden. |  |
In Anticipation of SummerOne needs to plan in advance to make sure you have all the equipment you will need to really enjoy the summer when (or should we say if!) it comes. Many families enjoy having a barbecue either just the family or it can be a good informal way to entertain friends. Some love to indulge in a sophisticated gas barbecue which is almost like having a kitchen in the garden, but this is great fun though rather expensive. If the budget is tight there are many smaller, simpler appliances available. We have a good range in the shop with prices ranging from £16.99 to £399.99 and experts to advise on the best appliance for your budget and needs.
The Town and Country mini-barbecue for £16.99 is really good value with its 30cm diameter re-usable kettle manufactured in sturdy steel. It is small enough to be easily transported and is particularly attractive to children as it comes in orange, blue, green or pink. To go with this is a stainless steel set of tools for use with the barbecue at only £6.99 and these come with coloured handles to match the barbecue.
Garden furniture is another must for most people. What better way to enjoy the results of your labours in the garden than relaxing on a sunlounger, breathing in the aromas of flowers or simply the newly cut grass? Also for outdoor living a table and chairs are a must so that you can really enjoy a meal in the garden. There is a very wide choice of garden furniture now available. From the traditional wooden sets in hardwood or softwood to metal and the very popular granite top tables and textaline fabric chairs. These are very comfortable and have the advantage that cushions are not needed. Prices for sets of furniture vary enormously but like most things you need to pay for quality, but a larger capital expenditure will give you a much longer lifespan for the product.
If you have a pond in your garden now is the time to restock with water plants such as the frost tender but very attractive water chestnuts and water hyacinths. There is a good range of water plants available now, both as individual plants or ‘water troughs’ planted up with several varieties of plants. It is also a good time to introduce new fish to the pond. Unless you have a good knowledge of types of fish it is always advisable to talk to our experts before purchasing as some of the carp species can get very large and become destructive to plants in your pond. With the recent re-structuring of staff in the Garden Centre a new manager, Paul Barnes, has been appointed to run the Aquatics Department. Paul brings with him a wealth of knowledge on both tropical and marine fish and has introduced some new unusual species of fish previously not sold at the Garden Centre.
LawnsOne other job to do at this time of the year is to seed a new lawn or to overseed a thin or damaged lawn. The seed will germinate readily and the new grass will grow rapidly with warm moist conditions. A good mix of seed to use is Johnsons Quicklawn (less time from sowing to mowing). A 500 g carton contains enough seed to cover 14 square metres of new lawn or 20 square metres for oversowing, and at the moment this will cost £6.99, but when purchasing one you will get another one free.
Another product from Johnsons, which on first thought may send horror messages to the traditional gardener, is ‘Easy Lawn’ a new lawn seed. Reason for the ‘horror messages‘ is that it contains clover! However, the secret is that it contains Trifolium repens – commonly known as White or Dutch Clover, which is a very small-leafed creeping clover. This actually absorbs nitrogen from the atmosphere and this is transferred to the grass as a natural fertiliser making the grass lush and green. The microclover has a dark green leaf which keeps a good colour even in drought, and being a flat leaf it helps to retain moisture in the soil. The overall result is a low maintenance lawn which will keep green in dry conditions. What could be better! It is a little more expensive to buy but well worth the investment.
For several years we have strongly recommended the use of Rootgrow when planting trees, shrubs and hedges. This contains mycorrhizal fungi which make roots work more effectively and greatly improves the establishment and subsequent growth of plants. Johnsons’ Bio-Active Lawn Feed brings similar benefits to new and established lawns. To quote from the package ‘Level 1 – Working on Grass. No scorch slow release fertiliser delivering that extra boost when your grass needs it. See results in days! Level 2 – Working on soil. Bacteria and Fungi save you time by naturally breaking down thatch recycling nutrients back into the soil. And Level 3 – Working on roots. Bacteria and Mycorrhizal fungi form a dynamic relationship with the roots accelerating growth and protecting from disease.’
Going GreenMany people are trying to garden organically, but it has sometimes been difficult to select the organic fertiliser needed for a particular type of plant, but not any more. The Miracle-Gro Organic Choice range contains an All Purpose Plant Food, but it also contains Fruit and Vegetable Food, Azalea and Camellia Food, Bloom Booster, Root Booster and Compost Maker, which is food for the micro-organisims what make your compost rot. Now choosing the right organic fertiliser could not be simpler.
Garden Design and ConsultancyA very frequent question asked at the Garden Centre is whether we have a garden design service and in the past we have referred customers to some very good local garden designers but they have not been on site. However, that is all about to change as Sarah in our plant information office, plus the other staff, will be welcoming her husband’s Garden Design Service to take up a franchise at the Garden Centre. They will have an office in the Log Cabin on the left just as you enter the Garden Centre. The office will be manned during the week-ends and busy bank holidays but when not manned there will be contact sheets, price list and information leaflets available and potential customers will be contacted the same evening if possible.
Matt Brill Garden Design & Consultancy will be offering Full Garden Design Services, Border Design, Planting Plans, Soft Landscaping, Hard Landscaping, Hedge, Tree and General Planting, Fencing, Pergolas, Water Features and Forestry including tree maintenance and surgery.
This is an exciting development for Matt’s business and we look forward to having him with us.
Franchise Site AvailableIf there is any local business who would be interested in a further franchise on the Garden Centre we would be interested to talk to them. The site available is the other log cabin on the front of the car park. The internal measurement is 3.8 m wide by 3.00 deep, and power, internet and telephone lines are available. If you are interested please contact our General Manager, Martin Griffiths on 01280 827917.
Bookings for the Willow Weaving DayWe have only one place remaining for the course on the 18th June, but please continue to apply if you fancy a Willow Weaving Day as, if we get enough applications, we will arrange another date a little later on.
Chris on the RadioTune in on Saturday 17th May between 11am and 2pm to catch our very own Chris Day on BBC Three Counties Radio on the Greenhouse Show. Also, on Monday 19th from 2pm to 4.30pm Chris will be reporting from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on BBC Three Counties Radio.
10 jobs for MayAS SPRING bulb blooms fade, now is the time to consider boosting next year’s flowering by giving plants a welcome application of fertiliser. Granular feeds such as Vitax Q4, or Blood, Fish & Bone, are ideal. Alternatively, you might want to go down the liquid feeding route. Phostrogen is by far the best high potash soluble feed on the market, whereas Miracle-Gro offers a more balanced Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K) formula, which is good for all-round feeding but not specifically encouraging flower bud formation. 1 Kg cartons of Miracle Gro are on offer at the moment - £3.49 each, or 2 cartons for £6. Thought should also be given to feeding camellias as these plants benefit from regular feeding as soon as the last flowers fade right through until September. Any good ericaceous feed would be suitable such as Doff Ericaceous feed or Miracle Grow Liquid Azalea and Camellia food. The reason for this is to encourage the formation and strong development of well-sized and healthy buds throughout the summer months.
LAST YEAR’S high rainfall will be affecting a wide range of plants this year as plants realise that their valuable nutrients have been washed away! Don’t panic -this short-fall of plant nutrition can be easily resolved by applying a combined weed, feed and moss killer such as Evergreen Complete Lawn Care Triple Action lawn food over the lawn. For all other hardy garden plants, use either Vitax Q4 or Bio Toprose (excellent for all flowering shrubs, not just roses) to help promote growth. Newly established hedging and fruit plants will enjoy an extra boost as the soil warms up, so apply around the base of your stock to help them along.
SUMMER BULBS will provide a riot of colour if established over the next few weeks. In many ways they compete directly with bedding plants, which is a shame because most of them have the advantage of a long show of colour as well as the fact they can be stored and overwintered for a repeat display next year! Good doers include dahlias, cannas, gladioli, lilies and tuberous begonias. As last year’s flower shows proved, bright, big flowers are back in fashion with dahlias being the number one summer colour provider in many gardens, so do not miss out this season. Don’t forget when planting lilies in pots to set them in layers to maximise the display and extend the show of bloom – three layers is best allowing 3-4in (10-12cm) between each layer so you do need to opt for deep pots to get the best effect. Ensure good drainage is available by adding crocks to the base of the pot, and use a loam-based John Innes Compost No. 3 with added grit.
YOU KNOW spring has arrived when the daisies and dandelions draw your eye and wink out at you from the beds, borders and lawn! As soon as weeds start to flower they are at their most vulnerable to herbicide (weedkiller) treatment so it’s essential that you get out and apply the correct weedkiller for the purpose. It is best to check for this information if you are unsure, but basically there are selective weedkillers for use in lawns (e.g. Verdone and Evergreen Complete) and non-selective weedkillers which will kill any green plant tissue they come into contact with (e.g. Weedol and Roundup). As well as weedkillers, you can also reduce weed growth in new beds by laying down a landscape fabric membrane before starting planting. This ‘weed block’ material is perfect if you don’t want to use weedkillers but do want a low maintenance area.
IF YOU are planning to establish a new climbing rose in the next few weeks, remember to leave sufficient planting space by its side so you can also plant a beautiful clematis to grow within the rose’s framework. Wait until the rose’s blooms fade then carefully select a clematis which is just about to flower (preferably in bud) to plant alongside. By doing this you will extend the season of your rose framework by adding some welcome clematis colour and your friends will think how clever you are! Generally large-flowered hybrid clematis need to be pruned back in February, which is at the same time as you are cutting back your roses, so it couldn’t be simpler.
STRAWBERRIES can be planted out now. It's best to remove flowers in the first year as by doing this you will conserve strength for growth and gain larger crops in subsequent years. The plants don't last forever so you need to rotate them every three to five years, or, alternatively grow them in decent-sized pots. Do check out the newly-introduced Goji berry plants in our fruit section. They are pretty straightforward to grow and should give a healthy return of fruit in their first season of planting.
THERE are two specific groups of a plant that benefit from preventative spraying treatment and now is the perfect time to prepare your plan-of-action! ROSES are prone to blackspot, powdery mildew, rust and aphids (greenfly and blackfly) and we would suggest spraying from April-September every 10-14 days using RoseClear 3. HONEYSUCKLES are prone to mildew, especially if grown close to walls and fences, where the plants can get dry and become stressed. Spray with Bio Fungus Fighter and repeat at fortnightly intervals. Don’t forget to feed your honeysuckles to keep the plants happy at root level.
SLUGS are already on the move, so prepare to control them. There are many methods of controlling them, for instance beer traps, slug pellets, biological nematodes and just good housekeeping, which means keeping the plot free of weeds and debris that slugs can feed on and hide under. The best way to do this is with a good hoeing once a week. Well hoed soil will have a good fine tilth on the surface which slugs don't really like to crawl over, or so we are led to believe! If you think chemical control will be necessary now is the time to purchase as we have Bio Slug and Snail Killer on special offer. A 1 kg. Carton is available at £3.99 or if you have a large garden you can buy 2 1 kg cartons for £6.00. Alternatively you can stop slugs reaching your plants by applying Slug Stoppa granules or Slug Defence Gel to the soil around them. You can also use Slug Stoppa Copper tape to keep slugs out of pots.
WHILST we are planning our gardens, it’s important not to neglect your areas of relaxation, including the patio. Make sure you have everything tidy, pots re-vamped, area de-cluttered, planters top-dressed and containers moved around to give best visual effect. Spruce up your wooden garden furniture by applying some wood preservative (such as teak oil). Specific treatment needs to be done every 12 months or more frequently if you’re leaving the furniture outside all year round.
We often get asked in the Plant Information Office for plants that are easy to grow and are trouble-free. So, in no particular order, here are our top ten ‘dead certs’ (no pun intended). All the groundcover geraniums, Berberis thunbergii, Hebe pagei, Euphorbia ‘Silver Swan’, Viburnum tinus, Choisya ternata, Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), Euonymus (any of the evergreen forms), Amelanchier Canadensis (as a tree or shrub) and Physocarpus ‘Diabolo’.
Newsletter
ArchiveFor your interest we have an archive newsletter section. Please note that any special offers and prices mentioned may not now be current.
2008: January/February
2007: January/February, May,
June, July, September, October, November/December
2006: January/February, March,
April, Summer,
Autumn, December
2005: January/February, March/April,
May, July/August,
Autumn, December
2004: January/February, March/April,
May/June, July/August,
October, November/December
2003: Christmas, Autumn,
Summer Supplement, Summer,
Spring Supplement, Spring,
Winter Supplement, Winter.
2002: Autumn, Summer,
Spring, Winter.
2001: January/February, Spring,
Summer, Autumn.
2000: Spring, May/June,
July/August, September/October,November,
December
