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THE GARDEN PLANNER

MAKING YOUR GARDEN PART OF YOUR HOME

HOUSE

As we head towards Spring, it’s a great time to start thinking about your garden. But if your outside space isn’t working for you, it might be time to call in the services of the Garden Planner. The Garden Planner creates beautifully designed gardens that are specifically tailored to your needs. From a visual guide that you can follow and install yourself in your own time, to more extensive work that requires the services of a professional gardener or landscaper, the Garden Planner can offer a tailored plan to suit your lifestyle and budget. We do the planning and, if required, can recommend our trusted local suppliers to carry out the work. You decide the level of assistance you would like based on your budget.

Elizabeth Evans is the woman behind the Garden Planner. She initially trained as a costume designer, and her designs were seen at the British Museum, the Portrait Gallery, Shakespeare’s Globe, Harrods and the Serpentine Gallery. She later retrained and pursued her passion for gardening and spatial design, and so The Garden Planner began.

With a sound understanding of period and style, an eye for colour, form and design and excellent organisational skills, Elizabeth is able to create outdoor areas that suit families or individuals, keeping within budget and considering the surrounding environs. All garden designs are hand drawn to reflect the personal nature of each garden and its owners. A strong emphasis is placed on getting to know the clients, their individual needs, expectations and unique styles.

“Elizabeth is that rare balance of someone who is creatively gifted and yet is reassuringly thoughtful, methodical and organised. Not only that but she actively listens to her clients’ wants and needs. The result is a design that is yours, but that probably surpasses whatever dreams and ideas you had to begin with. Be prepared to be taken on a garden journey that is good for the soul!” client review

For further information visit www.elizabeththegardenplanner.com You can contact the Garden Planner on 07814 959520

A Personal Garden Planning Service

www.elizabeththegardenplanner.com Call or text on: 07814 959520

SOWING THE SEEDS

WITH TRUG & LETTUCE

March is the time of year when we start to think about sowing our seeds. And seeds need special seed compost, particularly if you want to give them the best possible chance of germination to send them on their way. One of the best ways we can get our seeds to germinate is by giving them a good start, and that means good seed compost. So, why not try making your own?

Rather than seeing moles as a pest, I try to use whatever they decide to leave behind – and now is the time they’re at their most active. The soil from molehills is free, and it’s nice and fine. This is great for those seeds as their roots start to develop.

The next thing to add is some coir. It’s the natural fibrous coat of the coconut. It can be bought loose, in blocks or in discs, and it’s a useful addition to any peat-free soil conditioner. I also add some leaf mould, as that also helps with drainage and improves the structure of our seed compost. Its main purpose in the mix is to add bulk to the compost and help with water retention for our seeds. If we don’t have enough leaf compost then we’d simply add some more coir - or vice versa.

The final thing we add is vermiculite. It’s a mineral that is mined and then undergoes a heat treatment process that means it expands into small pieces. And then we:

1. sieve 2 pots of molehill soil, just to remove any stones or weeds that we might have scooped up 2. add 1/2 pot of sieved leaf compost 3. add 1 and 1/2 pots of coir 4. and finally 1 pot of vermiculite. Mix it all together, and you have your own seed compost in which to sow your seeds. Like so:

I also add some leaf mould, as that also helps with drainage and improves the structure of our seed compost.

1. Fill your seed tray or pots to the top with moist compost. 2. Gently firm the compost to give a flat surface to sow on. Leave a small gap from the top of the tray or pots. 3. Sow your seeds thinly, leaving space around each one. Use your finger and thumb to gently scatter the seeds from the packet. 4. Lightly cover the seeds by sieving seed compost over them. 5. Water them with a gentle spray. 6. Place the tray or pots in a warm spot to germinate, such as a windowsill. 7. Keep an eye on your seeds as will soon emerge.

At this stage they can be carefully pricked out, potted on and then gradually introduced to cooler temperatures.

If you want to know more then have a look at our website or Facebook, or listen to us on FromeFM.

@the_trug_and_lettuce @thetrugandlettuce

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