Beautiful gardens magazine 2015 ottery plymouth wincanton torquay

Beautiful ardens

Your free magazine full of garden inspiration, advice and ideas Spring

•

VOUCHER S

INSIDE •

55 stunning

DINING ALFRESCO

plant varieties to brighten your beds and borders

ATTRACTING WILDLIFE

Grow your own

Instant

impact

In our easy raised bed project

Perfect pots

THE POTTING SHED

3 simple steps to container success

Give your garden a colour boost

DISCOVER MORE AT WWW.OTTERNURSERIES.CO.UK

Contents Spring2015

•

DON'T MISS !

For fant in -store saastic see centre vings pages

•

22 Lush lawn guide

36 Gardeners retreat

Plants & plant advice 6/ SPRING INTO ACTION

Get your garden in shape for the coming season with our top tips and great offers

/ REPEAT PERFORMERS

Fill your garden with colour year after year with the best cottage garden plants

/ MAKE A SPLASH

We've rounded up the most beautiful begonias to brighten up your garden

/ POTS OF PERFECTION

Follow our three-step rule for guaranteed container planting success

/ THE BRIGHT BRIGADE

Treat your garden to a spring makeover with a selection of vibrant shrubs

/ LUSH LAWN GUIDE

Put the loveliness back into your lawn and make your neighbours green with envy

Outdoor living

COME DINE WITH US

Eat alfresco in style with our most elegant collection of garden furniture ever

THE BARBECUE CHEF

Exclusive new barbecues plus a delicious chicken recipe to try hot from the grill

/ GARDENER'S RETREAT

How to transform your potting shed into the perfect place to escape

30 Come dine with us

Garden care

/ WEED IT OUT

Discover how to get rid of and control every gardeners greatest enemies

/ CREATE A RAISED BED

In just an afternoon you can build a really practical space for growing in any garden

/ GARDEN DEFENCE FORCE

49 Garden defence force Consultant editor Zia Allaway Editorial Alison Krog, Sarah Dyson, Ian Whiteling, Steph Wilkinson Art Torben Krog, Alex Fanning Picture editor Dominique Campbell Photography Terry Benson. Covers and additional photography FhF Greenmedia; Zia Allaway; Marianne Majerus/MMGI; Rachel Warne, Clive Nichols, Geoff Kidd, John Glover, Rachel Warne, Victoria Firmston, Pat Tuson, Jonathan Buckley, Lee Avison, Fiona Lea, Friedrich Strauss, Jacqui Dracup, John Swithinbank, Dave Bevan, Carole Drake, Matt Anker, Tim Gainey, Howard Rice/GAP Photos; Tim Sandall/RHS ; Jonathan James; Brian North/Dorling Kindersley; Marie O'Hara/garden-collection.com; age fotostock/Alamy Production Trevor Simpson Repro Haymarket Prepress Account management Steph Allister, Justine Loehry Editorial director Simon Kanter Managing director Haymarket Network Andrew Taplin

10 Repeat performers

Encourage an army of wildlife who will protect your plants from common pests

‘Exclusive’ in this magazine means plants and products that are exclusive this spring to the 11 independent garden centre companies that are members ofthe Tillingtonbuying group. Beautiful Gardens is a registered trademark of Beautiful Gardens Limited. Plants and products featured are subject to availability and while stocks last. Dates and prices correct at time of going to press.

Beautiful Gardens is published by Haymarket Network, telephone 020 8267 5000. Colour reproduction by Haymarket Pre-press. Printed by Polestar. All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced or transmitted without the publisher’s permission. Everycare has been taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Haymarket Network cannot be heldresponsible for the accuracy ofthe information therein, or any consequence arising from it.

-3-

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plants&plantadvice

Buy from

APRIL

PLANT COLOURFUL CONTAINERS

For bright, beautiful blooms from spring through to summer, try Campanulas Adansa and Ambella.

In blue, pink or white, starry-flowered Adansa (left) is perfect for pots and baskets, or try the bell-shaped blooms of the more compact Ambella in a pot.

Both work well with a leafy hebe (see p.21).

Buy from

APRIL

SPRING INTO ACTION Prepare, plant and pamper your garden now

ers Flow up tnoths 3 mo GO WILD INDOORS This ‘Willd’ orchid makes a gorgeous gift, or why not treat yourself to a plant or two for your home? The stems are covered with masses of dainty flowers that last for many months.

It’s ideal for a spot in a warm humid room, such as a kitchen or bathroom, out of direct sunlight.

INTRODUCE SOME EARLY SCENT

Can’t wait for your traditional English lavender to flower?

Try ‘Springbreak Princess’, the best variety of pink flowering French lavender, which blooms from April to June. Plant it in a sunny site in free-draining soil along a path or border edge. Or try it in a pot with a frill of hardy Nemesia ‘Confetti’ (right) around the sides.

-6-

Buy from

APRIL

10

Buy

from GIVE BEDS A LIFT MARCH Spring is the perfect time to give borders a boost with a few fresh plants. For year-round colour, try the golden evergreen shrub Choisya ‘Aztec Gold’ (right), which sports white, scented flowers in May. And include a range of cottage garden plants (see page 10) to fill any gaps.

Buy from

MARCH

Quick jobs to do this month 1. Prune clematis varieties that flower from July onwards to the ground 2. Cut back dead stems of cottage garden perennials and grasses to make way for new growth 3. Plant spring bedding, such as pansies, violas, and primroses in gaps in your borders.

FOR ECT askets F R PE ts & b po

4. Check your cutting tools and clean rusty blades, or treat yourself to a set of new tools 5. Plant baskets and pots with spring flowers Buy from

MAY

MULCH IN MARCH

Lock in moisture by placing a layer of compost or bark chips over beds, leaving a gap around the plants’ stems. Or lay gravel or slate chippings around alpines, such as this dwarf shrub, Lithodora ‘Heavenly Blue’ for a more natural look.

BRIGHTEN UP A SHADY CORNER

Not many colourful flowers thrive in shade, but begonias, such as the beautiful Summerwings ‘Dark Elegance’ (above) are exceptions. Choose from our range of plants from May or plant the tubers now – find out more on page 12.

WHAT 'S IN STORE Don't miss out on the great range of essential tools and gadgets in our garden centre this spring!

KNEELO GARDEN KNEELER Protect your knees with a smart and comfortable pad. £14.99

GARDENER'S MATE TOOLS Top-quality tools at great prices, with a 12-year guarantee. £14.99 each

HOZELOCK ULTRA TWIST SPRAYER Doubles as a spray gun and sprinkler. £19.99

-7-

MOULTON MILL WATERING CAN This 4.5l (1 gallon) galvanised can is both stylish and practical. £14.99

6. Power-wash your patio or deck 7. Sow summer annual seeds indoors 8. Stand seed potato tubers, blunt end facing up, in egg boxes on a windowsill to sprout (chit) before planting outside in April 9. Pot up dahlia and begonia tubers in multi-purpose compost and keep in a light, frost-free place until May 10. Remove the top layer of compost from pots planted with shrubs or perennials, and replace with fresh compost mixed with a scoop of Miracle-Gro Slow Release Plant Food Granules.

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Kitchen Garden Trough Now £69.99 RRP £82.49

Repeat

performers For a succession of flower colour from spring to late autumn, you can’t beat perennial plants. These tough beauties die down in winter, but return year after year

T

he mainstay of any flower garden, perennial plants, also known as cottage garden plants or herbaceous perennials, provide a wealth of colourful blooms year after year. Select carefully, and you can enjoy blooms in a range of colours, sizes and shapes from spring till autumn, and there are choices for gardens large and small, for sun or shade and all types of soil. Their habits are diverse, too, ranging from dainty perennials perfect for the front of a border, to towering giants ideal for the back of a flowerbed..

LOOKING AFTER PERENNIALS

Although perennials flower for many years, most take a winter break, so don’t be alarmed when they start to wither come autumn. Some disappear altogether in the cold months, before emerging again in spring with fresh new growth. Most perennials grow best in reasonably fertile soil, and you can keep them happy by applying a thick layer of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the stems in the spring. If any look lack-lustre later in the year, try a dose of Miracle-Gro All Purpose Liquid Plant Food.

FOR W NE

Buy from

REHMANNIA ‘MAGIC DRAGON’

◄ VERONICA ‘CHARLOTTE’

Buy from

JUNE

The dramatic spikes of cool white blooms contrast beautifully with colourful plants with spherical blooms, such as alliums.

Height and spread 60cm x 60cm; Soil Free-draining; Site Sun or part shade; Flowering time Summer

- 10 -

MAY

After eight years of breeding, a Sussex nursery is launching this gorgeous ‘Chinese Foxglove’ to coincide with a 2015 RHS Chelsea Flower Show launch. Masses of pink trumpet-shaped flowers open from summer to autumn.

Height and spread 70cm x 70cm; Soil Free-draining; Site Sun or part shade; Flowering time May to August

Designer tips Buy from

Buy from

JUNE

MAY

BLACKMORE & LANGDON'S DELPHINIUMS

ALSTROEMERIA 'SUMMER BREEZE'

Elegant and ideal for flower arrangements.

Height and spread 70cm x 80cm; Soil: Free-draining; Site Full sun; Flowering time Summer to mid-autumn

Tall spikes of richly coloured flowers.

Height and spread 160cm x 45cm; Soil Free-draining; Site Full sun; Flowering time Summer

Buy from

APRIL

Buy from

APRIL KNAUTIA ‘THUNDER AND LIGHTNING’

Small dark pink pompoms and pretty leaves create a striking feature.

IBERIS ‘MASTERPIECE’

Height and spread 40cm x 40cm; Soil Free-draining; Site Sun or part shade; Flowering time Summer

The flat clusters of pure white flowers with pink centres that cover this plant create a beautiful frilly edge for a border or pot.

Height and spread 30cm x 30cm; Soil Free-draining; Site Sun or part shade; Flowering time Spring to summer

The most dramatic effects are produced when perennials are set out in groups of three plants or more, producing swathes of colour that interlock to create a tapestry effect.

Also, place plants that flower in late summer or autumn in front of earlier flowering types, so that these late bloomers can take over the show as the season progresses and mask plants that are past their best. The later flowers take longer to grow to their full height in summer, so you can use those that are taller when mature in front of shorter earlier-flowering plants, too. And try mixing and matching leaves and flowers with different colours and shapes, such as daisies and spiky or button-like blooms.

WESTCOUNTRY LUPINS Buy from

MAY

COREOPSIS ‘CALYPSO’

These gems have longer-lasting flowers, come in a wider array of colours and are more disease resistant than other lupins.

Height and spread 100cm x 75cm; Soil Any; Site Sun or part-shade; Flowering time Early summer

Buy from

APRIL

Masses of small yellow flowers with red markings appear over many weeks.

Height and spread 40cm x 40cm; Soil Any; Site Sun or part-shade; Flowering time Late spring to mid-summer

Place later-flowering plants, like sedums and asters, in front of early flowers, such as lupins and veronicas.

- 45 -

BEGONIA 'BEAUVILIA' RANGE

These new pendulous begonias produce branching stems of dainty, starry flowers.

Perfect for patio pots and baskets, choose from lemon, salmon, red or white blooms.

Make a

splash

With dramatic flowers and foliage to match, begonias brighten up any summer pot or bedding display

V

ersatile and easy to look after, begonias produce masses of blooms well into October (or until the first frost). They thrive in shade, and the flowers come in a wide choice of colours, shapes and sizes, while their leaves can be as pretty as the blooms.

Some flowers are also lightly scented.

Try pendulous types in hanging baskets, more upright tuberous types of typical pack bedding begonias in patio pots, or the compact Begonia semperflorens range, with its bronze or green leaves and small flowers, as edging for beds and summer pots.

We’ve picked the best of the bunch for you to choose from. Some will be in our stores from April; plant out after the frosts.

BEGONIA 'GLOWING EMBERS' â–ş

Dark maroon-green leaves contrast perfectly with the fiery orange blooms of this semi-cascading begonia setting baskets and containers ablaze

BEGONIA SEMPERFLORENS

Rounded bronze or green leaves contrast beautifully with masses of small white, pink, and red blooms.

Ideal for pots, baskets or edging beds.

- 12 -

plants&plantadvice Caring for begonias

BEGONIA 'MAJESTIC' SERIES

These upright begonias boast large, frilly-edged blooms up to 20cm (8in) in diameter. Choose from bicoloured forms or solid shades like this rich red.

BEGONIA 'FRAGRANT FALLS'

Available in shades of lemon and peach (pictured), the trailing stems of this pendulous begonia are covered with scented, rose-like flowers.

RS' â–ş

ntrast ooms onia, blaze.

BEGONIA 'GLOWING EMBERS'

Dark maroon-green leaves complement the fiery orange blooms of this semi-cascading begonia, setting baskets and containers ablaze.

BEGONIA 'LOVE BIRDS'

This compact begonia has been bred for baskets, and produces a dome of pretty pink flowers and dark green foliage. Grow in sun or shade.

- 13 -

Begonias are happy in most positions, but only a few will thrive in full sun. Plant them in well-drained soil or multipurpose compost in a pot or basket, and don’t put them outside until all threats of frost have passed. Apply a dose of Miracle Gro 'Pour & Feed' every week when plants are in full growth.

Growing begonias

As well as buying plants, you can grow begonias from tubers. Just pick up a pack and follow these simple tips to produce beautiful plants for your summer displays: Fill a pot or seed tray with multi-purpose compost.

Place the begonia tuber on the surface, ensuring the hollow side is facing up.

Push down gently so the bottom half is buried and the top of the tuber is exposed.

Store pots indoors in a light place, out of direct sun.

Keep the compost moist and shoots will soon emerge.

Repot after a month or so; plant outside in late May.

Pots of perfection Creating sensational containers is now easier than ever if you stick to our simple three-step planting plan

W

hatever the size of your outside space, there’s always the opportunity to enliven a corner or create a focal point with a beautifully planted container. Success will depend on the mix of plants you choose, so to make life easy, just include the following three types.

Start with an eye-catching ‘thriller’ feature plant in the centre, surround it with shorter ‘fillers’ to keep it company, and then add a few ‘spillers’ that cascade over the sides. Simple! You can’t go wrong.

Create a spectacular summer display in a fibreclay pot with canna lilies, geraniums, Osteospermum and trailing petunias

YOU WILL NEED Large container; Multi-purpose compost; Phostrogen All Purpose Plant Food; Plants such as: canna lilies, Osteospermum, geraniums, petunias and Bidens.

R’ ILLE ‘THR

’ ERS ‘FILL

’ LERS ‘SPIL

You’ll find other ‘thrillers’, such as phormiums or cordylines in store 1. THINK BIG Place a few terracotta pieces over the hole at the bottom of the pot.

Top up with multipurpose compost and add your thriller plant.

2. ADD INTEREST Place the thriller in the centre or to one side of the pot, then plant your fillers, such as Osteospermum and geraniums, around it.

3. LEAVE A TRAIL Edge the pot with trailing plants, such as petunias and bidens.

Firm the compost around all the plants and water well.

- 15 -

EXPERT’S TIP FOOD FOR THOUGHT For best results, water your pot every day or two, and apply weekly doses of Phostrogen All Purpose Plant Food until the flowers form. When flowers are in bloom, substitute this with a weekly application of Miracle Gro Pour and Feed.

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Offer available from 1st March – 31st May 2015 Plants not included

www.stewart-garden.co.uk

The bright brigade!

Inject some colour into your garden this spring with these vibrant shrubs, all available in store from March

W

elcome in the spring with a garden packed with colourful shrubs.

Most are very easy to care for, and will perform year after year, given the right conditions. Make a sparkling display with the flamboyant flowers of rhododendrons and camellias, together with beautiful foliage plants, such as hebes and the sacred bamboo (Nandina), and surround them with a carpet of spring bulbs and wallflowers.

Exclusive for 2015

1. Ribes ‘Amore’ (also main shot)

- 00 -

New for 2015

Expert tips FROM CHRIS YOUNG

Editor of the RHS ‘The Garden’ magazine

Hebe ‘Red Wine Collection’

2

Nandina ‘Obsessed’

3

Camellia japonica

4

Many colours available

Rhododendron ‘Tinkerbird’

. RIBES ‘AMORE’ OPPOSITE

5

Deciduous azalea

. NANDINA ‘OBSESSED’

6

When planting in the ground, dig over adding a slow-release fertiliser or compost to help the shrub establish and grow well.

Keep shrubs in containers well watered and feed them annually in spring.

Check if a plant will thrive in sun or shade by looking at the plant label or online.

For acid-loving plants, such as rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias, test your soil to check that it is acidic. If it’s not, plant in ericaceous compost in a raised bed or container.

Ensure your shrub is planted at the same level as it was in its original pot. If the stems are buried or left proud of the soil surface, the plant may not thrive.

Mulches help lock in soil moisture. Try gravel or slate or wood chippings.

. RHODODENDRON ‘TINKERBIRD’

Ornamental currants are the mainstays of the spring garden and very easy to grow.

‘Amore’ is a compact form, ideal for small gardens, with masses of pinky red flowers.

Perfect for a pot or garden border, the leaves of this beautiful evergreen shrub turn from warm red in spring to green in summer, and then purple-red in autumn.

A winner for a patio container, this elegant, compact rhododendron produces white scented flowers from pink buds. Plant it in ericaceous compost or acid soil.

Height & spread 1.2m (4ft) x 1m (3ft) Aspect full sun/part shade; Soil free-draining

Height & spread 60cm (24in) x 60cm (24in) Aspect full sun/part shade; Soil free-draining

Height & spread up to 1m (3ft) x 1m (3ft) Aspect part shade; Soil acid

. HEBE ‘RED WINE COLLECTION’

. CAMELLIA JAPONICA

. DECIDUOUS AZALEA

We have a beautiful range of hebes for this spring, including the new ‘Red Wine Collection’, which all have richly coloured evergreen foliage and flower all summer.

Camellias come in a range of flower shapes and colours, including red, pink and white.

Best grown in acid soil, they will also thrive in large pots of ericaceous compost.

To brighten up shady areas, the blooms of these deciduous azaleas bring gardens to life mid-spring. Azaleas are available in a range of bright colours; plant in acid soil.

Height & spread 60cm (24in) x 60cm (24in) Aspect full sun/part shade; Soil free-draining

Height & spread up to 4m (13ft) x 3m (10ft) Aspect part shade; Soil acid

Height & spread up to 4m (13ft) x 3m (10ft) Aspect part shade; Soil acid

- 19 -

NEW

NEW

Ultra Twist

Watering with a twist!

A unique 2-in-1 spray gun that takes only a second to twist and quickly turn into a sprinkler.

The new exciting Ultra Twist makes life even more convenient in the garden for those that want to save precious time. Simple!

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20m Auto Reel

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Hozelock Standard Pressure Sprayers ● Easy to use Pressure Sprayers for accurate and cost effective application of insecticides, pesticides, fungicides and watersoluble fertilisers ● Translucent bottle for accurate chemical mixing with integrated pressure release valve

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*Offers available until 30th May 2015, or while promotional stocks last www.hozelock.com BG Full Ad 2015.indd 1

05/11/2014 14:05

THE LUSH LAWN GUIDE

If your lawn wasn’t up to much last year, then take a few tips from our experts to transform your grass into a beautiful, lush carpet of green this summer

D

reaming of a summer’s day picnicking outside on the lawn?

If so, take a little time now to prepare your grass for the seasons ahead. Just a few hours spent tending your turf will really pay dividends, giving you a lush lawn to make the neighbours green with envy.

As soon as temperatures reach 5°C (41°F) and above in spring, your grass will start to grow again. That’s the time to mow it with the blades on their highest

setting. Then rake over your lawn using a spring-tined rake to remove any moss and debris that’s accumulated over winter.

GET DOWN TO THE ROOTS

Revitalise the grass by pushing a fork or hollow tine aerator into the ground at regular intervals to open up the soil. This allows more air to reach the roots and encourages stronger growth, as well as reducing moss. If you have a large lawn, hire a mechanical aerator. You can then fill

- 22 -

the holes with a special lawn top dressing, such as Westland lawn and turf dressing.

WEED AND FEED

In March or April, just after it’s rained when the soil is moist, or when rain is forecast, apply a spring lawn fertiliser.

Follow the instructions, taking care not to overfeed or the grass may turn yellow. A combined moss and weed killer and fertiliser, such as EverGreen Complete 4 in 1, is ideal as it also helps retain moisture.

plants&plantadvice

PATCHING UP Bald patches in lawns are unsightly, but they can be repaired easily with Miracle Gro Patch Magic. Simply rake over the soil, remove any dead grass, sprinkle the seed, feed and coir mixture over the patch, then water.

Aerate the lawn with a garden fork

TOOLS OF THE TRADE These make light work of lawn care and are available in our tool range.

Provide a neat border with decorative edging such as Kelkay’s Rope Top

Border fork

MOWING AND TRIMMING

When you start mowing again in spring, keep the grass longer than normal, and gradually reduce the height of the blades as the weather improves. Or leave the grass a little longer throughout summer, which will help it withstand periods of drought.

Mow in one direction then again at 90˚ to the first mow. To achieve crisp stripes, you’ll need a mower with a rear roller and a good eye! Line up the mower to an edge if you have a square or rectangular lawn, or lay out a tape measure at the widest point of a circular lawn. Finally, trim the edges with sharp shears, or install Gard Edge, which helps maintain a neat edge.

Halfmoon edger

EverGreen Complete 4 in 1 feeds, weeds and kills moss

- 23 -

Springtined rake

For killing weeds, moss & feeding your lawn!

£7.99 100 EG Complete 4 in 1 Spreader £9.99 200 EG Complete 4 in 1 Bag £11.99 99 360 +10% Free EG Complete 4 in 1 Bag £19.

802+25% Free EG Complete 4 in 1 Refill 2

2

2

For repairing bare patches in your lawn!

patchmagic p New one step patching patc mix, contains grass seed, feed & coir

Miracle-Gro Patch Magic Jar 1.5kg Miracle-Gro Patch Magic Bag 3.6kg Miracle-Gro Patch Magic Bag

£7.99 £12.99 £24.99

Offer ends 30th April 2015.

EverGreen® Complete Contains MCPA, mecoprop-P and ferrous sulphate NPK 14-2-4.

Miracle-Gro® Patch Magic® contains a mixture of dwarf perennial rye grass and fine fescues.

Products marked ® or ™ are trademarks of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (UK) Ltd and its affiliates.

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Creative combinations for your garden Slate Garden

Cotswold Garden Full Rope Top Edging Antique £7.49 each or buy 2 for £14

Welsh Slate Rockery £3.99 each or buy 2 for £7

Cotswold Stone Rockery £3.99 each or buy 2 for £7 Rustic Full Rope Top Edging Cotswold £7.49 each or buy 2 for £14

Keldale Stepping Stone 450mm Antique £6.99 each or buy 2 for £12 Blue Slate 40mm £5.99 each or buy 4 for £15

Rope Coil Stepping Stone Cotswold Gold £6.99 each or buy 2 for £12

Cotswold Stone £5.99 each or buy 5 for £15

Country Garden Yorkstone Rockery £3.99 each or buy 2 for £7

WaveTop Edging York Gold £4.99 each or buy 2 for £9

Random Stepping Stone York Gold £5.99 each or buy 2 for £10

Premium Quartzite Pea Gravel 20mm £3.99 each or buy 5 for £15

Abbey 2.4m Circle Kit

Abbey Patio Kit 10.22m2

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Abbey 2.4m Circle Kit York Gold ONLY £169.99 RRP £199.99

Home Delivery on Decorative Aggregate Bulk Bags and selected Paving Items* FINAL Tillington Advert 2014.indd 1

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SAIGON HIGH-BACK CORNER SET The classic lines of this premium dining set from Leisuregrow will never go out of fashion. Its season-proof seat cushions (above) are water-repellent and UV-resistant, which means you don’t have to worry about taking them indoors every night.

(Scatter cushions included.) ÂŁ1,999.99

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Come dine with us Take alfresco eating to the next level, with our latest range of casual dining tables and chairs

I

f you haven’t updated your garden furniture for several years, there’s no better time than now. The popularity of eating alfresco, and treating your garden as an extra outdoor room, has inspired a new generation of garden suites that take casual dining to the next level – quite literally. The flexibility and comfort of the new seating arrangements now

make it possible for you to chill out and eat supper in the same place. Roomy sofas and chairs are perfect for relaxing with your guests after dinner, whiling away the evening and watching the setting sun.

Modern garden furniture materials are also virtually maintenance-free. They’re extremely robust too, yet deceptively lightweight and easy to move around.

Kettler 3-year guarantee

PALMA CORNER SET This hand-woven weatherproof weave set from Kettler features an ‘Infinitree’ table top, made from recycled materials that look just like real wood. £1,599.99 PALMA LOUNGE SET Two handy stools fit neatly under the table in this extremely flexible dining set from Kettler. Perfect for extra guests. £1,599.99

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outdoorliving CAST YOUR EYES ON THESE

Lightweight, stylish and strong, contemporary cast furniture takes inspiration from traditional designs and brings them right up to date.

▼ BEAUMONT 6-SEATER DINING SET This exclusive cast aluminium dining set from Hartman is designed for maximum comfort. It’s virtually maintenance free and will not rust – so there’s no need to cover it during wet weather. The luxurious seat cushions are hard-wearing and easy to clean. Scatter cushions not included. £749.99

Exclusive!

- 32 -

Hartman 2-year guarantee

outdoorliving WONDERFUL NEW WEAVES

If you prefer the look and feel of woven furniture, our designs are of the highest quality and built to give lasting pleasure for many summers to come. ◄ SARENTINO 6-SEATER ROUND DINING SET If you want to add a focal point in your garden, the warm tones of this elegant six seater dining set will be the perfect complement to a natural setting. Combining elegant curves with superb comfort, it’s a great choice for eating alfresco or just relaxing on a warm summer evening. Scatter cushions not included. £999.99

Exclusive!

▲ SAIGON 6-SEATER ROUND DINING SET This round dining set from Leisuregrow offers a colonial elegance and has been expertly crafted to give the natural look and feel of wicker. It can be left outdoors all year thanks to its weather-proof material, and comes with season-proof cushions (see page 30) and scatter cushions. £1,499.99

▲ ALEXANDRA 6-SEATER SET A two-tone resin weave set from Hartman with seat cushions in pretty pistachio green. It combines the elegant lines of woven furniture with the benefits of being completely weatherproof and virtually maintenance free. The strong but light aluminium frame makes it easy to manoeuvre. £749.99

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Two. Four. Six...

Three great

4 Seat Caredo Set

£499

sets in an exclusive truffle design

6 Seat Siena Set

£799

Whatever your outdoor space, we have the perfect set to help you enjoy it to the full. From a secluded spot just right for an intimate tea for two, to a family meal for six. With our sumptuous truffle fabric you’ll create some extra warmth this summer. Stocks of these sets will be limited so make sure to secure yours today. Complete with KETTLER’S five year anti-rust guarantee.

2 Seat Bistro Set

£149

www.kettler.co.uk

£69.99

OFFER: £49.99 SSP: £59.99

OFFER: £99.99 SSP: £119.99

£5.99 £64.99

£129.99

£1.99 £49.99

£99.99

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outdoorliving Exclusives

SpiritE-310 Original withrotisserie andgriddle £599.99 FREEBBQ accessories withanRRP of£159.98

What’s cooking?

Add some excitement to your barbecuing this year

B

arbecuing can be so much more than just bangers and burgers.

And cooking with a Weber barbecue opens up a world of possibilities for the back yard chef, as the unique Weber cooking methods and products make it easy to prepare a delicious variety of different foods.

Plus, because all Weber products are built from only the highest quality materials, you can rest assured that they are built to last.

ADDED EXTRAS

A few well-chosen accessories will really raise the bar in terms of a great barbecuing experience. With this in mind, we’ve put together some exciting product bundles at great prices, so you can really make the most of your Weber.

SO EASY TO USE

Try the delicious rotisserie recipe featured here and discover for yourself just how easy it is to create interesting and tasty dishes on a Weber barbecue.

▲ TASTE THE WEBER DIFFERENCE FOR YOURSELF: TARRAGON & CHILLI ROTISSERIE CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS

1 5kg whole chicken, a good glug of olive oil 15g fresh tarragon, 1 lemon, zest & juice of 1 tsp garlic granules, 1 tsp chilli flakes 2 tsp sea salt, a good grind of black pepper

METHOD

1 Set-up the barbecue for roasting (indirect medium heat).

2 Drizzle the chicken with olive oil, mix all other ingredients and rub into the skin well.

3 Skewer the chicken through the centre of the carcass with the spit bar and fix both bottom prongs in place so they are firmly lodged in the meat at both ends.

4 Make sure the chicken is centrally positioned on the bar and tighten up the thumb screws.

5 Fit the spit into the barbecue and roast at a medium heat (200ºC) for approximately 1-1½ hours or until internal temp reaches 75ºC. 6 Allow to rest before serving.

- 35 -

The Spirit E-310 Original is teamed with a motorised rotisserie accessory that is really easy to use and produces the most succulent and juicy roast meat imaginable.

Also included is a large cast-iron griddle, making cooked breakfasts, omelettes and even pancakes a joy to cook.

Weber Q3000 with permanent cart RRP £479.99 OURPRICE £399.99

Keep your tools neat by hanging them on hooks on the walls and door. A shelf for seeds, pots and sundries is useful too, and personalise your space with cushions and artefacts. You will find a great range of products in store.

- 44 -

outdoorliving

The gardener’s

retreat We’ve got everything you need to transform your garden shed into an inviting, practical haven

T

1 Dress your shed with wall pots or plants such as: 1. Osteospermum 2. Patio climbing rose ‘Gloriana’ 3. ‘Star Jasmine’ Trachelospermum 4. Clematis alpina ‘Blue Dancer’

2

DRESSED TO IMPRESS

3

4

Top off your shed with an alpine garden If your shed’s roof is sturdy and doesn’t leak, why not plant an alpine garden on it? You may have to add extra cross-pieces inside to strengthen the structure, but it’s well worth the effort.

1 Check roof timbers are sound enough to take the weight before you start and be sure to work safely.

ransform your ordinary garden shed into a secret hideaway, where you can escape with a cuppa to admire your garden, whatever the weather. As well as a comfortable chair, squeeze in all your tools and accessories to make the space your own. And remember to decorate the outside, too, with wall pots and climbers.

2 Attach a treated wooden board the size of the roof to spread the weight evenly.

Then cover with pond liner.

3 Add wooden edges. We used 2in timber with two extra sections in the middle to retain the soil. Ensure water will drain off easily.

4 Fill with John Innes No 3 compost mixed with grit.

5 Plant with alpines, such as sedums, echiveria, the golden-leaved lysimachia or other low-growing droughtresistant plants. These will not need extra watering once well rooted.

6 Add gravel or green slate around the plants and then finish off with some larger rocks to lend interest.

- 37 -

Before decorating your shed, paint it with a coloured preservative, such as those by Ronseal or Cuprinol. Then plant a few climbers to enhance the sides – try roses and clematis, which will camouflage the walls beneath a blanket of flowers and foliage. Both plants will need a support t o climb up, so attach trellis or garden wires to the shed, and tie on the stems carefully.

Alexandra Duet | RRP £349 | Our Price £279.99

Alexandra 6 Seat | RRP £899 | Our Price £749.99 including parasol & base not shown

Alexandra 4 Seat | RRP £699 | Our Price £549.99

Alexandra Lounge Set | RRP £849 | Our Price £699.99

Amalfi Seat RRP £899.99 Our Price £799.99

Amalfi 6 Seat | RRP £1299.99 | Our Price £999.99

SMART SAVINGS

ON SOLAR LIGHTING COLOUR CHANGING & WHITE LED

3 FOR £10

Nickel Mast Light RRP £5.99

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Metal Silhouette Owl £14.99 RRP

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Metal Silhouette Stake Light Bronze RRP £14.99

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COLOUR CHANGING & WHITE LED

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Large Orion Stake Light RRP £9.99

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10 FOR £15

SAVE £3

Fluted Stake Light Single RRP £2.99

Multi Glow Gem Jar RRP £9.99

5 FOR £10 OR 10 FOR £15

NOW £6.99

SAVE £2 Can also be used as table light

Orbis Glass Stake Light RRP £6.99

NOW £4.99

Master Gardener

The UK’s Bestselling Gardening Glove

Buy One Get One Free

ÂŁ5.99 Soft, lightweight and comfortable. Slip-on design, perfect for keeping by the back door.

Master Gardener gloves are thorn resistant - great for pruning and all other gardening tasks.

Ladies pack contains 1 pair of dotted palm cotton gloves, Aquasure snowdrop and Aquasure nature gloves.

Protect your knees with a thick cushioned kneeler pad. Lightweight and easy to carry around the garden.

www.townandco.com

Mens pack contains 1 pair of rigger, canvas and taskmaster gloves.

whilst stocks last

gardencare

Weed it out

Use a Dutch hoe (above left) to sever annual weeds’ roots, and buy a daisy grubber and 0ther hand tools to lift deep-rooted weeds.

Paint Roundup gel on weed leaves (above left). Dig out the whole root system of pernicious weeds or they will regrow. Or try a weed-suppressing fabric over the soil (below).

If weeds are ruining the look of your garden, follow our tips to keep these pesky plants at bay

S

ome gardeners say there’s no such thing as a weed, and that they’re only plants in the wrong place. But anyone with a garden knows that dandelions and bindweed are always in the wrong place, and if left unchecked, they will march all over your prized plants like an indomitable army.

Weeds are, in fact, highly successful plants that reproduce themselves very efficiently by seed or through a network of underground roots or stems, or both.

When planting a new bed or border, it pays to remove all the weeds at the outset – they will still appear again in time, but the problem will be much reduced.

DEALING WITH ANNUAL WEEDS

Annual weeds, which grow each year from seed, can be removed with a Dutch hoe.

Ensure yours has a sharp blade, and on a

dry day, push the blade to and fro just beneath the soil surface, severing the weed stems from their roots. You can then remove and compost the dead seedlings.

Special tools, such as a wire patio brush, are available for prising weeds from cracks in paving, or keep them at bay by pouring boiling water over seedlings as they appear.

ATTACKING PERNICIOUS WEEDS

More pernicious weeds, including couch grass, dandelions, nettles, bindweed and brambles, can also be removed by hand.

Use a trowel, spade or special weeding tool like a daisy grubber, to dig out the whole plant, including all of the root system, since many weeds can regrow from even a tiny piece of root. Cutting down pernicious weeds to the ground every week or so also reduces their impact and may kill them in the long run if you persevere. Or try a dose

- 43 -

or two of weedkiller on those that are difficult to control by hand. Paint Roundup Weedkiller Gel onto the leaves of weeds growing in beds, where spraying a chemical may also kill your prized plants.

THE BIG COVER UP

Another simple way to minimise weed growth is to cover bare soil with weedsuppressing fabric. This blocks out the light needed for weeds to grow, but allows water to filter through to your ornamental plants. Lay the fabric over a bed, and cut crosses into it where you want to plant.

Peel back the fabric, plant your flowers, then tuck the fabric flaps around the plant’s stems. Disguise the fabric with a decorative layer of bark or gravel. You can also pack your beds with the plants you love. Their dense leaves will deprive weed seeds of the light they need to germinate.

gardencare

COUCH GRASS Dig out this perennial evergreen weed as soon as you see it, removing all the roots. Or try one or two applications of Roundup Weedkiller.

DANDELION Dig out before they flower and try to remove the long tap root to prevent regrowth. Roundup Gel is a good solution for dandelions growing in beds.

BINDWEED Almost impossible to eliminate completely; apply a weedkiller, such as Roundup or Resolva, or pull it out as soon as you see it, taking care not to leave any roots.

GALLERY OF COMMON WEEDS NETTLES These spread rapidly so dig them out as soon as the young shoots appear. Or try one or two applications of Roundup or Resolva weedkiller.

BRAMBLE The deep roots make this woody weed difficult to dig out; apply a weedkiller, such as SBK Tough Weedkiller, to established plants.

Try to identify weeds when they are seedlings and remove them immediately

HORSETAIL Dig out this pernicious weed – including all the roots – as soon as you see it. Or apply a weedkiller, such as Roundup Tree Stump & Root Killer Concentrate.

SOW THISTLE The annual sow thistle is easy to pull out by hand or you can hoe off young seedlings. Weedkillers are generally not required to remove this weed.

HAIRY BITTERCRESS Keep an eye out for this annual weed and remove it by hand before it flowers and sets seed. Weedol 2 is an effective chemical control.

Japanese knotweed

If you see Japanese knotweed, follow the Environment Agency’s (environment-agency. gov.uk) advice on the best way to remove it. It can grow through concrete and paving, so take action as soon as you see it.

- 44 -

GROUND ELDER Using a chemical such as Roundup Tree Stump & Root Killer is often the only way to remove this invasive weed.

Attempting to dig it out can make it worse.

How to

Create a raised bed Design a striking feature packed with flowers, fruit and veg for a medley of colours and delicious flavours from May to October

I

f your plot is too small for a full-scale veg patch or you want to grow something to eat on your patio, a raised bed offers the perfect solution.

Most beds come in kit form, and can be installed on a soil surface or paved patio, or you can buy a manger or planting table if you want plants closer to hand. Choose a mix of soft fruits, such as strawberries, quick-growing vegetables, and longflowering plants, such as annuals, to lend colour and a continous source of fresh produce all summer. Create your beautiful feature in a sunny or partly shaded spot by following these four easy steps.

Which plants to choose?

Lettuce, Pak choi, beetroot, spring onions, carrots, bush tomatoes, herbs, strawberries (above left), geraniums, Nemesia, Diascia, tobacco plants (Nicotiana), marguerites (above right), low-growing campanulas (above centre), Bidens

e it Makan in oon n t f a er

Follow these 4 simple steps YOU WILL NEED: Raised bed kit; weed-control fabric; electric drill; galvanised screws; pea shingle; John Innes No 3 compost; vegetable and fruit plants; flowers

1

2

1 START TO BUILD Lay some weed-control fabric below the raised bed. Follow the instructions for your chosen kit, screwing it together with long galvanised screws and a sturdy screwdriver.

2 CREATE DRAINAGE Add a layer of pea shingle to the base of the raised bed for drainage, then fill it up to about 10cm (4in) from the top with John Innes No 3 compost.

Break large clods with your hands before planting.

3

4

3 START IN THE CENTRE Plant taller herbs, vegetables and flowers in the centre, firming the compost around all

- 46 -

the plants when they’re in place. Add low-growing crops around the edges. Try lettuces and strawberries, and trailing flowering plants, like campanulas or Bidens. Make sure you leave space for the young plants to mature.

4 WATER AND FEED Water the raised bed well throughout the summer.

Apply Sulphate of Potash (following the instructions on the pack) when fruiting plants – such as tomatoes and strawberries – start to flower.

Deadhead the flowering bedding plants to keep them blooming through summer and early autumn.

growyourown

This pretty, practical raised bed has been filled with salad leaves, strawberries, herbs and flowers

- 45 -

reclaim your garden p protect your garden h habitat and song birds ffrom unwelcome intruders mega-sonic

cat repeller motion-activated ultrasonic deterrent repels cats and dogs without harming them

40%

dual outer casing for water resistance year round can be wall or stake mounted

OFF RRP

Promotion ends June 30th

RRP £31.49 ONLY

£19.99

2 year warranty PROTECTS 100sqm

www.pest-freeliving.co.uk

cat & dog repellent 450g

£2

scatter granules OFF RRP containing natural aromatic plant oils to deter cats and dogs from digging, scratching and fouling in garden and patio areas

RRP £5.99 ONLY

£3.99

TREATS 150sqm

Garden defence force Attract wild creatures that snack on pests such as aphids, slugs and snails

A

lthough there are lots of products to protect your garden from pests, you can also recruit your own army of creatures who will do the job naturally.

Simply create the right habitats and these beneficial creatures will follow.

Frogs and toads love slugs and, to a lesser extent, snails. These amphibians will be drawn to any pond or small barrel pool; just ensure your pond has sloping sides and surround the barrel with flowerpots to allow easy access in and out.

Hedgehogs eat slugs and snails, and are now endangered, so make a home for them in your garden. Set a log pile in a quiet corner to attract all the beasties they like to eat, and include plants that they can hide beneath during the day.

Hoverfly larvae will devour your aphids with relish

ATTACK FROM ABOVE

Birds are great garden allies. Robins snack on caterpillars, while tits and finches eat aphids. Song thrushes love snails, so provide them with a few large stones to break shells against. All birds will be more likely to visit if you provide food – in feeders or on a bird table – and a water supply, such as a birdbath, while nest boxes encourage long-term residence.

NATURAL DETERRENTS

Some other natural products to consider: Copper tape – deters molluscs Slug Gone Wool Pellets – made from sheep’s wool, slugs dislike the texture Sharp grit – slugs and snails find it uncomfortable to cross.

Ladybirds provide natural control for aphids

Frogs will help to reduce your slug population

POLLEN-RICH PLANTS FOR HOVERFLIES Hoverfly larvae will munch through your aphids in no time, and the adults can be lured into your garden with pollen- and nectar-rich plants, including: • Alliums • Asters • Echinops • Geraniums • Leucanthemum • Poppies • Scabious (right)• Single-flowered roses

- 49 -

Thrushes need a large stone to crack snail shells

Garden Essentials Heavy Duty Pale Fence & Gate

Save

£10-£30

FENCE

Now £19.99 RRP £30.99

GATE

forestgarden.co.uk

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Log Roll

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15x180cm RRP £8.99 23x180cm RRP £10.49 30x180cm RRP £12.49

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