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EXTRA in and out of the garden
Its time to retrieve those rusty cobwebby gadgets from the garage or shed and prepare the greenery for the impending summer ‘scorcher’ we have been promised this year. But if your gadgets are looking a bit worse for wear after months of hibernating in a darkened room, keep an eye out for our best buys and gardening tips both in the paper and online. Jobs for May into early June Peter Burks, Horticultural Advisor at the online garden centre www.potterandrest.co.uk gives his top tips on revamping the garden for spring/summer.
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Harvest rhubarb (unless you had an early variety and have already been eating crumbles and pies!)
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Make sure any tall plants are given supports
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Grow wild! By Potter & Rest Even if you just have a small patio you can create a wildlife haven on your doorstep with a little careful planning. Here are our suggestions on how to go wild in your outdoor space this year...
climbers such as ivy and clematis – they provide places for birds to nest and butterflies to rest. Rather than creating fences to divide off areas, plant native hedges – they provide perfect shelters for birds and small mammals.
Planting Select native plants that provide flowers and fruits in different seasons, as they will provide food all year round. If you’re short on space use
Build a bug resort Plant pollen rich plants such as buddleia, lavender and sedums Butterflies aren’t keen on the shade so plant in a sunny spot
The Wild Garden William Robinson’s revolutionary book, “The Wild Garden”, envisioned an authentically naturalistic approach to gardening that is more vital today than ever before. First published in 1870, “The Wild Garden” evolved through many editions and remained in print through the remainder of the author’s lifetime (1838-1935). In the book, Robinson issued a forceful challenge to the prevailing style of the day, which relied upon tender plants arranged in rigidly geometrical designs. In sharp contrast, Robinson advocated for the use of hardy, locally adapted native and exotic plants arranged according to local growing conditions. Robinson’s vision was inspired by his first-hand observations of natural habitats in Europe and North America, and he put his ideas into practice in his own garden at Gravetye Manor in West Sussex. “The Wild Garden” was ground-breaking and hugely influential in its day, and is stunningly relevant to twenty-first
Ensure climbing plants are tied down as they will start to grow quickly this month Build a log pile or a bug hotel – former will provide a home for slow worms and field mice. Let it grow... Leaves areas of lawn uncut – long grass is great for insects. Plant a wildflower meadow Don’t pull up your nettles as they attract butterflies.
where they can make their own homes in holes in trees on buildings. Visit www.potterandrest.co.uk for more gardening tips.
Mammals matter too Plant fruiting plants and trees as windfall helps feed mice and hedgehogs. Plant hazel to help encourage dormice who love to create homes in them. Get bat boxes or create places
Dad in the Garden
century gardeners and landscape For a whole host of gift ideas for green fingered fathers go stewards seeking to adopt sustainable to www.potterandrest.co.uk design and management practices. In addition to the complete original text Galvanized Trug and illustrations from the fifth edition of by Sophie Conran 1895, this expanded edition £19.95 includes new chapters and 112 color photographs by award-winning photographer and landscape consultant Rick Darke. His new material places wild gardening in modern context, underscoring Robinson’s importance in the Garden Gubbins evolution of ecological design Pots by Sophie and illustrating an inspiring Conran £19.95 diversity of contemporary wild gardens. The potent combination presented here JUNE EVENT makes this new edition of a timeless RHS Flower Show classic an essential resource for all who Birmingham BBC wish to know how we have arrived at our Gardeners’ World Live. present understanding of gardens and June 12th – 15th what opportunities lie ahead. As will be Come and celebrate midimmediately clear to anyone who leafs summer flowers at the RHS through this book, Robinson’s urgent Flower Show Birmingham message continues to resonate. The at BBC Gardeners World Wild Garden (Hardback) Live 2014. A world of plants by William Robinson, Rick Darke Birmingham becomes the £20.00 heart of horticulture in Available from Waterstones and all June. good book stores.
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Weeds will continue to cause problems, so make sure you keep on hoeing borders and pull any weeds around early flowering beds and spring vegetables
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Dandelions are a persistent problem and if you don’t have time to deal with them, try to remove the heads so they don’t have time to spread seeds
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Continue to remove moss and weeds from pathways and patios 7. Begin to spray roses to control black spot and mildew 8. As tubs and containers will start to require daily watering a good way to save money is to invest in a water butt to collect the rainwater for the plants.
FREE GIVEAWAY TO EXTRA LOCAL READERS!
A gadget for gardeners that’s a cut above the rest! Fiskars new Cuts+More Scissors - quite possibly the world’s most versatile scissors – combine multiple tools in one, giving gardeners help with jobs large and small. Garden lovers will find a handy twine cutter, wire cutter, rope notch plus in one swift movement Cuts+More separate and the titaniumcoated blade becomes a useful knife and Bottle opener for a well-earned drink at the end of the day! These additions don’t compromise on Fiskars high quality and comfort, you still get super sharp scissors but with the addition of useful features all in one handy tool. With an RRP of just £18.99 Cuts+More offer excellent value for money and is a great gift idea for gardeners.
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