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your interest we have an archive newsletter section.
Please note that any special offers and prices mentioned may not
now be current.
Seasonal Plants
With spring just around the corner, it’s reassuring to see
a wide array of hardy nursery stocks plants putting on a grand performance
for the occasion.
Good doers that have not let the recent cold snap spoil their
displays and include the stars of the border, are hellebores. This
year there’s colour to suit all tastes, including some stunning
maroon and purple shades.
If you’ve been avidly watching Alan Titchmarsh’s latest
series of ‘How To Be A Gardener’ you’ll be eager
to see his top 10 plants. If you’ve missed the programme,
here’s Alan’s no-nonsense top ten list in no particular
order: -
- Wisteria sinensis
- Viburnum tinus
- Geranium species (hardy geraniums)
- Bamboo
- Verbena bonariensis
- Alchemilla mollis (lady’s mantle)
- Helleborus x hybridus
- Clematis ‘Etoile Rose’
- Hemerocallis (day lily)
- Hardy ferns (including Dryopteris affinis)
Now is a good opportunity to brighten dull patches of ground with
some bright and bold splashes of late winter colour. Check out the
latest polyanthus ‘Crescendo’ and primrose plants –
ideal for all sorts of pots and planters.
Fancy growing some sweet peas this year? There’s plenty of
time to sow them but if you want to get a head start then you can
buy ready raised plants in small pots as well.
Whilst you might be ‘chitting’ your potatoes now in
preparation of Easter planting, don’t forget a few early sowings
of summer greens and legumes that can be sown in a frost-free greenhouse.
Again, we will be selling plenty of seedling vegetables throughout
2003 with broad beans kicking off the season.
There’s nothing better to stir the garden scene than attractive
bare stems, especially if they are covered in flower, like the wonderfully
scented witch hazels (hamamelis). There are others too, including
the twisted and contorted hazel (sometimes called Harry Launder’s
walking stick), Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ that produces
tassels of catkins over the next month or so. Also, do ponder a
look at the new mini standard salix with their attractive tufts
of touchy-feely grey pussy willow catkins. These miniatures look
superb on a patio, or even brought indoors into a cool light room
where they can be enjoyed with bonsai-like pleasure.
If more perfume is on your plant-wish-list then check out the
scented tiny pink blooms covering the upright stems of Daphne mezereum
Rubra. This shrub is perfect for a front row location, close to
a door or where people pass by close to the house. Gorgeous!
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New Pot Ranges & Terracotta Sale
We have 2 new ranges of pots. The first is the Mexican ‘feugo’
range. Our second range is from France. These are made from stone
and have a white finish – new, different and exciting.
At the end of February we will be having a ‘clearout’
of existing terracotta pots – so look out for a bargain! This
year we have negotiated even better prices for our popular Woodlodge
range of Malaysia pots.
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Safe Feeding of Wild Birds
You may have noticed a recent article in Gardener’s World
magazine warning about afltatoxin poisoning in cheap bird nuts sold
from Garden Centres and Pet Stores. Our supplier of wild bird food
has always been meticulously careful to ensure that his products
are well below the legal limit of 20 parts per billion.. In the
same article was an advert for Peanuts, quoting a price of £6.25
for 3.5kg -our nuts are £3.47 for 3.5Kg and are definitely
very safe – so don’t always believe what you see in
print!
As far as birds are concerned there are many points which you
do need to be careful with when feeding. Be very careful with hygiene
around the feeding area – clean the feeders regularly with
a stiff brush and either proprietary cleaning fluid produced specifically
for bird feeders or failing that washing up liquid. Do not use chemical
cleaners as they could be harmful to the birds.
Feed birds regularly or not at all. If you are tempting them into
your garden on a regular basis they will become dependant on you
for their food, and if you suddenly stop you may end up starving
your regular visitors, especially the smaller birds who will be
bullied away by larger species in time of shortage.
Move the position of the feeders regularly so the ground underneath
does not become contaminated with droppings, and also do not leave
excessive food around at night as you may attract rodents.
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Garden Equipment
One tip – do get your lawnmower serviced ready for the grass
cutting season. If you do not know exactly what to do it could be
worth getting a professional to do it for you as, like cars, a good
service though costing money at the time will often save you money
and frustration in the long term. If you do not know of a good service
company we would suggest you try Brackley Mower Centre, 01280 702847.
If when checking your garden equipment before the new season you
are in need of a new wheelbarrow it may be worth your while looking
at a new black metal wheelbarrow we have in stock which retails
at £23.99 and is a good buy. If you have a young child or
grandchild who enjoys helping in the garden why not encourage them
by buying them and a good quality children’s wheelbarrow for
£13.99 - catch their enthusiasm when they are young and they
may be a great help to you in your old age!
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Late Frosts
One final tip – in anticipation of those damaging late frosts,
make sure you have a supply of agricultural
fleece to cover up slightly tender shrubs. It’s wonderful
– and could save you the disappointment of loosing blossom
or even growth from a favourite plant.
So as usual – happy gardening!
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