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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.
Seed Potatoes
It may seem hard to believe, but once again it is seed potato season,
and we now have all our varieties in stock. Despite the difficult
growing season, prices are similar to last year. The only exception
is Jersey Royal (International Kidney) which are now more readily
available and are up to 30% cheaper (depending on quantity bought),
so why not try this superb flavoured potato, which is excellent
boiled and in salads?
Unfortunately, Vanessa is not available again this season owing
to crop failure. Instead we are offering Red Duke of York, which
is also a red early potato. It is an old favourite with excellent
flavour and cooking qualities.
Once again we are offering Pentland Crown, which is popular because
of its extremely high yield. Unfortunately the cooking qualities
are only moderate and the potatoes deteriorate if kept into the
New Year. This year we are also offering Picasso. This is a fairly
new variety, which is also extremely high yielding, but has better
cooking and keeping qualities than Pentland Crown.
As in previous years we will be selling seed potatoes loose, so
you can buy anything from 500 grams for a small trial planting up
to 25 kilogram sacks. We realise that this is messy compared with
the 3 kilogram packs offered elsewhere, but it does allow you to
buy as little or as much as you need. We are happy to bag the potatoes
for you if you prefer. A full list of the varieties
we are stocking and a guide to planting
seed potatoes can be found on our web site.
For best results, especially for earlies, we suggest that you
buy the seed potatoes in January or February and place them in a
cool, light, frost free position. They will then produce short green
sprouts and will have a head start when planted out in March or
April. Do not worry if you cannot do this as you can still get good
results without sprouting the potatoes.
We should still have good stocks later in the season, but the prices
will go up on 1st March, to cover the extra cost of storage, and
encourage early purchases.
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Plant sale extravaganza
There are plenty of nursery stock bargains to be had at our January
sale. A selection of dwarf conifers and shrubs feature in the sale
with some excellent savings to be made. Many of them are ‘end
of lines’ or they have simply become too pot-bound and need
a fresh home. There are some great offers such as Ilex verticulata
priced at £9.45 now £4. Prunus spinosa Purpurea at £9.95,
now £4 and a larger size that were £22.95 and now a
bargain at £11. For summer colour, you might be tempted by
Potentilla ‘Summer Sorbet’ at just £3 each (were
£7.45) or how about colourful (and useful) rosemary plants
at £5 for 2!
We’ve some great offers on dwarf conifers, too, including
many half-price deals on pines (pinus) and chamaecyparis. Remember,
numbers are strictly limited so pop down and bag yourself a bargain
today!
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Prepare for bedding
You know spring is just around the corner when Easter eggs hit
the supermarket shelves and when young bedding seedlings appear
at the garden centre.
This season we will be stocking a much wider range of seedlings
and young plants grown from cuttings than in previous years.
We kick-start the season, commencing from week 4 (that’s the
19th January onwards) with Plug-U-Grow plants. You may well have
seen these offered elsewhere, but we are pleased to offer them for
the first time this season.
There’s plenty of variety in the range as well, including
Begonia (24), Geranium (12), Impatiens (24), Lobelia (trailing &
bush types) (40 plants) and Petunias (24). The figure in brackets
refers to the number of plants per unit. Each unit will sell at
£2.99, so they do offer excellent value for money.
By early February named varieties of single pot grown bedding will
also be on stream, including ivy leaf geraniums, fuchsias (bush
& basket), geraniums, nepeta etc.
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Gift token temptations?
It may be the New Year, but there are some plants that think its
late winter already with many of them looking good right now. If
you are looking for some new plants for winter interest and those
spare gift tokens are burning a hole in your pocket, don’t
worry - we have got some great plant ideas for you. For starters,
we have some splendid camellias breaking into bloom and witch hazels
(including the varieties and forms Pallida, Mollis & Diana)
that are sending out their amazing spidery flowers (and perfume).
The wonderful (and again highly fragrant) bell-shaped yellow blooms
of Corylopsis are also well advanced and will look fabulous in a
few weeks time. There are plenty of flowers on the bushy Christmas
box (sarococca) and many of the deciduous forms of viburnums (especially
‘Charles Lamont’ and x Carlesii Charis) look a picture
as the flowers break on the shrubs bare stems.
Finally, don’t forget potted bulbs will become available through
January and February, perfect gap-fillers and a reminder that spring
isn’t far away.
Another good way to spend your gift tokens is on our sale of furniture.
We like to start with a new range each year so in order to do this
we are offering last season’s stock at really good prices.
This includes hardwood furniture, patio heaters, gazebos, children’s
furniture sets etc. Come and have a browse, then if anything tempts
you, when the sun reappears with welcoming warmth you will be prepared.
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Tips for January
If you are wanting to plant fruit trees, soft fruit or a hedge
do try to get it done as soon as possible. From experience we have
found that autumn planting is most successful, but failing that
the earlier in the that recommended New Year the better. When you
have done the planting do make sure pruning instructions are carried
out immediately on planting, otherwise there is a danger you may
forget to do it.
Although it is far too early to plant, it is advisable to purchase
dahlias now as you will get the widest range of varieties. If you
have any in store from lifting last year just inspect them periodically
to make sure there is no damage on them, and remove any offending
ones.
Make sure you have a supply of agricultural fleece in store so
you can cover any slightly tender plants if there is a bad frost
warning. Make sure you keep on ear or eye open for severe frost
warnings. If there has been a mild spell of weather, then it changes
dramatically, this can cause the most damage to plants, especially
if newly planted, but by covering with fleece, pegging it down with
ground pegs you will minimise damage.
House plants received as Christmas presents may be showing signs
of stress as it seems to take about two weeks for them to react
to new surroundings. If they are looking a little sad you may not
be giving them the conditions they need. Re-read cultural instructions
and adapt your care regime if necessary. If you are still not sure
why they are not happy do pop in and have a word with Gill in the
houseplant area and she will happily give you advice.
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