GARDENING Lush green gardens thanks to Neil Timm’s Binbrook-based fern nursery.

With Fronds Like These

The lush green borders of Neil Timm’s garden at Binbrook have been 350,000,000 years in the making. That’s because his fern nursery has several acres and several hundred varieties of ferns, many of which are among the species of flora which date back to the Carboniferous era...

Words & Images: Rob Davis.

THIS MONTH there’s a chance to enjoy a firm favourite, or rather a fern favourite, among local gardeners near Market Rasen. Curated by Neil Timm, The Fern Nursery is located at Binbrook, and unlike other gardens in midsummer, the emphasis is on myriad shades of green, rather than the multicolour hues of roses, poppies and hydrangeas. With lots of cover overhead, Neil’s plot on the chalky loams of the Wolds is refreshingly cool and shady, dappled with the odd shaft of sunlight peeping through tree canopies. When Neil took ownership of the site nearly 30 years ago it was a weedy overgrown spot, but before then – since 1987 in fact – he has followed the family tradition and enjoyed a career in horticulture. The past three decades, though, have seen Neil create a place to show off and sell the ferns in which he specialises, and his site comprises of the garden itself as well as seven nursery polytunnels. Despite his acidic soil – conventionally thought to be less suitable for growing ferns – in the last 15 years The Fern Nursery has exhibited ferns at a number of shows, gaining several gold medals and silver gilt, plus two Best in Show. “Growing ferns began mainly as a personal interest. Until a few decades ago, ferns were very much neglected as garden plants, and I felt that it was time for a revival of interest in their growing since they are such useful, easy and trouble-free garden plants. My interest in natural history and wildlife meant that I was

IN THE GARDEN IN AUGUST...

Jobs to complete and a guide to planting in the summer months

n Top up the ponds: Top up ponds and bird baths to keep them flowing, and if water levels are a little low, now might be the time to embark on a bit of cleaning and maintenance. n Dead-heading: It’s a good idea to dead-head bedding plants, perennials, and lilies to encourage them to flower in the autumn or to prevent self-seeding. Wisteria, penstemon and lavender should also be kept trimmed. n Pruning: Prune climbing roses and rambling roses, and cut back faded perennials to keep everything looking nice and neat. n The wildflower garden: Mow some paths through your wildflower lawn to create walk-throughs and to help distribute seeds to encourage more flowers to grow. n The vegetable garden: Cut back herbs and enjoy harvesting tomatoes for healthy midsummer salads. Feed tomato plants with fertiliser. Harvest beans, maincrop potatoes, spring-sown carrots and beetroot. Water fruit and veg plants daily. n The greenhouse: Damp down the greenhouse daily to increase humidity. Clear up any litter to keep the dust down and ventilate the greenhouse on really warm days. n Other jobs: Hedges can have a final trim before autumn. Lawns may look brown but will recover with a quick water or a summer shower. Because lawns tend not to grow at this time of year, raise the lawnmower blades to prevent scalping and neaten up any edges which have down awry. n Get the camera out: As well as providing you with photos when your garden is at its best, getting the camera out at this time of year will also help to publicise any NGS openings next year and will provide you with a record of how each area looks, helping you to plan borders for next year.

“Inducted into the British Pteridological Society and a member of the Lincolnshire branch of the Hardy Plant Society, Neil is the author of his authoritative book Ferns...”

bound to fall in love with any group of plants which are so evocative of wilderness, and so good at bringing the mood of the wilderness into the garden.” “As time went on, fern growing soon became a major part of my business as well as an enthusiasm, and in 1992 the move here enabled it to become the main occupation. I’ve created a fern nursery with natural streams, water features, ponds, rock features and woodland as well as more formal flower borders and raised beds.” Inducted into the British Pteridological Society and a member of the Lincolnshire branch of the Hardy Plant Society, Neil is also the author of several books, including his guide, Ferns, the second edition of which was published in 2017. Anticipating semi-retirement, Neil intends to take fewer garden commissions and instead develop the garden further. Before that though, there’s small matter of a NGS open day this August. A tour around the garden for the NGS affords visitors the chance to enjoy the pathways which snake through the garden, and past its rock features, acid beds, sheltered winter gardens and its seating areas, each of which are strategically positioned to provide the best vistas of the many different shades of green that the several hundred different varieties of ferns provide. “People always seem to love the romance of what is basically a wild natural type of garden and are usually surprised to find such a large garden, a nursery and the village bowling green, behind a bungalow on a main street with a small street frontage. So much so, that we are often told that we should change the name to the ‘secret garden.’” Secrets are, of course, best when shared, and so we’re happy to refrain from keeping the garden to ourselves. If you’re looking for an enjoyable afternoon which will provide some garden inspiration, Neil’s Fern Nursery is a definite recommended visit this month.

n The Fern Nursery is based on Grimsby Road, Binbrook L8 6DH. Call 01472 398092, or see www.fernnursery.co.uk. The nursery is open for the NGS on Sunday 1st August from 10am-4pm.

Open the door to low carbon living

New windows and doors can contribute to reducing your annual energy bills to meet the needs of a low carbon economy…

The high demand for double glazing sales, in the late 1970s and through the 80s, was driven by poorly maintained windows and doors that were installed in the post-war building boom. The motivation for a purchase was usually driven by the increase in home ownership and the deterioration of the existing windows, which were single-glazed wood or steel framed, drafty and kept little heat in the house. ‘Keeping up with the neighbours’ was also a significant driver, with little thought other than the added insulation from double glazing was evident. Aluminium was the first material used for frames by double glazing firms and drove sales prior to uPVC, which by the end of the last century was the dominant material. Latterly, improvements in the development of engineered timber components have made wood a more suitable material for the frame, providing greater life expectancy; a 65-years life cycle, according to analysis. Other key benefits of installing timber windows include greater security, thermal and sound insulation qualities, and the ability to meet conservation requirements. Today, the world has moved on and we now must face up to the changing climate, cost and replacement of fossil fuels and the need to conserve energy. We are being told every day how to insulate our houses, reduce our energy bills and prepare for the future by recognising the changes being made in the Building Regulations and Codes of Practice documents. We are already striving to meet the challenges of a zero-carbon economy. On the back of this awareness, global warming means reducing our carbon footprint is all important. For housing the goal had been determined by the Government under the ‘Code for Sustainable Homes’ (CSH) that by 2016 all new housing being built will be Zero Carbon, this means that any energy consumed in the process and the ongoing running must be offset by carbon gains and renewable energy resources. There was doubt that this was ever achieved given the decision by the government to drop adherence to the Code and Green Deals. Most manufacturers of building products have been working on new product areas and development to tap into this growing demand. It’s not surprising then, that the leading quality brands in the window and door market, offered by the New Window Company, are at the forefront of this technology. Flush cottage-style and lipped storm-proof casements, sliding sashes for contemporary and heritage houses plus a full range of performance doorsets are available, to suit all the styles our customers seek. A deposit guarantee scheme is available and a fully-trained competent team of fitters will install your new windows and doors and take away the old ones for recycling. All designs are available from the New Window Company Ltd., with large showrooms at Frieston Heath near Grantham. Today’s windows have been tested and assessed by the BFRC (British Fenestration Energy Rating Council) and have an energy rated label, just like a fridge. Windows and doors in all materials are offered by The New Window Company and are rated from C to A+. The windows are also tested to the very latest security performance standards to the latest building regulations ‘Part Q’ and will gain extra credit for even better performance. One thing for certain; you can get modern windows and doors now that are built to satisfy the future energy efficiency standards. So, not only will you be helping to keep your energy costs down, but you will also add considerably to the value of your property. n

Find Out More: New Window Company is based at Elms Farm, The Old Barn, Frieston Heath Lane, Grantham NG32 3HD. For a free no obligation discussion about your property’s needs call 01400 272538 or see www.new-window.co.uk.

4 Seasons Outdoor Sussex 6 Seat Oval Dining Set with Parasol & Base: Includes six comfortable dining armchairs, an elegant glass-topped oval table and a large 3m parasol and base (not shown), all in Polyloom Pebble and Riviera Charcoal, £2,399 (RRP £2,987.99).

4 Seasons Outdoor Scandic Dining Set: Dine or relax in style with this modern bistro set for two from the Scandic range. Lightweight, strong and extremely comfortable, £599 (RRP £857).

Weber Compact Kettle Grill 47cm charcoal BBQ ideal for smaller terraces, £94.99 (RRP £105).

Sussex Four Seat Dining Set Round table dining set with parasol and base, £1,699 (RRP £2,173.99).

Seville Rope Table Can be used as a table, planter or ice bucket, £69.99.

Kamado Joe Classic II Premium ceramic charcoal grill with lots of cooking space £1,499.

Weber Spirit EPX-325S Gas Grill Real-time food monitoring with smart alerts when food is ready £949 (RRP £1,049).

SUMMER COMFORT at GATES

Barbecues, accessories and outdoor furnishings to ensure your summer is warm and comfortable...

Each of our featured products are available from Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton, LE15 7QB. Call 01664 454309 or see www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk. Sky Blue Outdoor Cushion Machine washable, showerproof, 45cm x 45cm £17.99 (RRP £23).

MSpa Delight Hot Tub Inflatable, portable, with anti-icing, £699 (four seat); £799 (six seat).

Plain Jane Fire Pit 60cm, 70cm or 80cm, with BBQ rack, from £289-£379.