With the London 2012 Olympics and celebrations for the Queens Diamond Jubilee the whole country is looking forward to an exciting summer of festivities.
We’re all hoping for a great British summer so we can enjoy the host of garden parties and barbeques that are bound to take place throughout June and July and our fingers are firmly crossed that the usual downpours are kept to a minimum.
Many of us will want to make the most of the weather but not miss the celebrations and games on the television so what’s the perfect way to combine the two? The answer could be outdoor viewing under the shade of a Gazebo.
Permanent Gazebos are ideal if you have a large garden and make a great area for outdoor entertaining, the majority of Gazebos are open plan but a few are partially enclosed and offer a little extra protection against the elements, and with the vast array of garden furniture now available from basic picnic tables and garden benches to hardwood dining sets and wicker lounges you can turn your Gazebo into a great outdoor party area or place to relax with a few friends and watch the games.
It’s still blooming cold out there!……… Well the snowdrops have braved the season again and making a fantastic show of it! Although we had a few good days at the end of February it’s still possible to have frosts at this time of year, keep vulnerable plants protected if the night temperature falls. March is the start of busy times, the days are getting longer and the job list is growing (especially if you did not manage to get too much done in the last couple of months) Winds can also be a problem at this time of year, so check exposed plants are well supported, on-saying that the winds do help to dry out your soil so start digging and turning your soil if the weather allows.…
I hoe, I hoe, its off to work I go……..Now is the time to start your spring clean, when we have the odd good day; weed and dig over your borders and add as much organic matter as you can. This should not be too bad if you have managed to get out and do the odd bit here and there. Mulch bare soil once you have done the work helps keep the weeds down a bit, remove moss, weeds and algae from paths, terraces and driveways. This may be boring but if you don’t get on top of the garden now, especially the weeds, it will be a nightmare for the rest of the season. Did you get that lawn mower serviced? Well you’re going to need it very soon!
Snip’ it…. If you haven’t already pruned your shrub roses get it done now, if your honeysuckle is looking a bit straggly and over grown cut back to the base to allow new shoots to come through. Trim back your perennials taking care not to damage new growth. Finish the pruning of late flowering shrubs like buddleia, and prune your wisteria and summer flowering clematis, the sap is starting to rise and if you prune too late you will be taking away energy that is importation to the plant, however don’t be pruning your evergreen plants till April, they need the foliage to start off their growth in the warmer weather. Start to give your beds a complete spring overhaul, get rid of the start of weeds…never ever leave creeping buttercup, ground elder, nettle or crouch, you will rue the day, these weeds will take over your life if not kept in check, follow up with a layer of mulch to keep seedlings at bay.
Law-n order….. December, January & February are lazy months for lawn care, try not to walk on the lawn if it’s frozen or waterlogged, in mid March clear your lawn surface of debris, lightly scarify with a spring-tined rake to remove dead grass, worm casts may be an issue, treat them with derris. (read the instructions). Repair lawn edges if not carried out in February, level off humps and even out hollows, re-seed these areas and those that are worn. If the weather allows you could get the first cut of the season in, so long as the grass is at least 3” (8-10cm) remember to keep the blades high so you are just nipping the tip, don’t cut too much off, you could damage your lawn this early in the year, remove all the cuttings & add them to the compost bin. If your lawn is established and growing, apply an all in-one mix of fertiliser, weed and moss killer. (again, read the instructions) If you are planning on laying a new lawn this year Spring is a good time to do so, start to think about preparing your ground and deciding on turf or seed. DIY stores and nurseries have ‘how-to-do-it’ leaflets which should help you decide on what would be best for you and your garden.
People in glass houses….The greenhouse in March is a wonderful place to potter and spend some time. Keep it well ventilated during sunny spells but don’t forget to close it up by mid afternoon before the temperature drops. Keep an eye out for early pests such as aphids. Don’t forget that plants brought in for forcing such as potted strawberries may harbour slugs and snails, so be ready with your preferred control, or visit the greenhouse at night by torchlight and collect any offending beasties that are munching on your prized plants. As the weather improves and the greenhouse warms up you can start potting up summer bulbs such as lilies and dahlias, tuberous begonias and more. Keep them protected from a sudden chill and allow them to grow on. You can also take soft wood cuttings from dahlias, fuchsias and pelargonium as they start to spurt into growth. If you have over wintered cuttings in the greenhouse these can be potted up in March ready to plant out into the garden, when their roots have filled the pots and they have spurted into growth. March really does signal the start of the sowing season. You can start sowing half-hardy annuals with basal warmth in March. Sow them into pots of quality seed compost and place the pots into a heated propagator to entice them into growth. Although you can sow many things in March it is important to look at the prevailing weather conditions, it may be exceptionally cold for the time of year, in which case it may be better to wait a few weeks before you start sowing.
All things bright and beautiful….Buy some begonias and lily bulbs and pot them up for a wonderful display later in the year. You can find a fantastic selection of colourful varieties of bulbs in catalogues now. Plant Gladioli in small groups if soil is workable, set out at two week intervals for continuous summer bloom, also plant Ranaculus tubers and lily bulbs now. If you have over wintered dahlias inside, check that the tubers are hydrated and manure the ground that will take them next month. If the tubers are tired, pot up and start off in a glasshouse or cold frame with the aim of propagating from the first new growth. Cuttings are incredibly easy if taken when the shoots are just a few inches long, and with warmth they will be rooted and ready to plant out when the ground is frost-free. Re-pot pelargoniums and fuchsias that were over wintered and gently up the watering to promote new shoots.
All creatures’ great and small….the birds will now start courting and pairing off to have the next generation of their species, a female needs to be in peak condition to start egg-laying; it’s demanding, it’s physical and it’s energetic you have to be fit to pull off the feat and must eat a great deal of food to fuel it. Since March is often a time of acute shortages, keep the bird tables topped up, fat balls are ideal, obviously peanuts are a must and seeds should also be used. Don’t forget that if we have a freeze, water will be a must for them.
Happy Valentines all, did you get your roses, chocolates, romantic dinner…. no me neither, never mind there’s always Easter…. or next year…..and we can always grow our own roses anyway!
Well the snow appeared….and stayed a while…..
Can’t stress enough about your tender plants, make sure they are still covered and out of jacks way….Keep the ice at bay on pathways and patios with rock-salt, sand or grit, just be steady out there.
Digging for victory…Get your seed potatoes now, chit them (to allow shoots to form) and place them in a light, cool, frost-free place. Potatoes don’t just have to be planted in the ground they can be grown in all manner-of-ways, the tyre tower is an excellent way if you don’t have much space. Your local tyre shop or scrap yard will have a few spare, put newspaper on the ground, stack two tyres on the paper, fill with straw or soil, bury ten potatoes in the straw or soil and water. When the potato sprouts peep through, add another tyre and fill up with more straw or soil. Keep doing this as your potatoes grow, until you have at least four or five tyres in the tower. Wait till the plants flower, dismantle your tower and see how many potatoes you have…you will be surprised. Great idea to get children into growing their own….
Plant a tree….The Big Tree Plant…this year sees the start of the biggest tree planting campaign ever. The Government’s Big Tree Plant aims to plant 1 million trees in towns and cities and create new woodlands across the UK, now I know we don’t all have space to plant a tree, but in a small garden you could plant a smaller variety of tree, some of the Japanese Acer’s are under 20’ and they give a fantastic show come autumn, and there are ornimaental Cherriers that are also under 20’ and look wonderful in the spring. Ask at your local nursery or garden centre.
Ready…set…grow…Start to get your pots, trays, and propagating equipment ready. Thoroughly clean any stored over winter or purchase new seed trays. As the month progresses, you can begin your propagation in earnest. For a lot of seeds you will need a higher temperature at this time of year, so a heated propagator can pay dividends. Most seeds germinate at 13˚C but others such as tomatoes need a temperature of 18 ̊C. Get bare rooted cane fruits, e.g. raspberries, blackberries planted out. Prepare the soil by digging a trench and adding plenty of organic matter. Plant up some containers, to brighten up your front door or porch. Use the wide choice of pre-potted spring bulbs now available. And while you are doing that re-pot or top dress last years containers. Divide clumps of herbaceous perennials that you want to propagate those that have become too large for their allotted space, and those that are flowering poorly or have lost their shape. Divide your snow drops and replant in another part of the garden.
Feather and fur…If you go out into the garden at daybreak now the lighter mornings are creeping in you will notice the birdsong increasing, male birds are starting to mark out their territories ready for mating and the nesting season. Natural food supplies may be in short supply, especially when deep frosts persist. Don’t forget to feed them regulary to keep them coming back, you will need them when the bugs start! Plenty of wildlife makes its home in dead wood, and other animals use it as a source of food, but in our increasingly tidy garden, fallen and dead wood is not so common. A pile of logs simulates fallen branches and is considered essential in a wildlife garden. You can usually find somewhere to put a pile of smaller logs, even in the tinyist backyard. It is best placed in a shady spot, so that it remains cool and damp. Do keep the ground clear of food, vermin are also on the lookout for extra food at this time of year.
Spring forward … Continue adding to your compost bin any vegetable food waste, chopped vegetation, paper and leaves. Keep turning your heap as this will speed up the decomposing rate. Check on stored chemicals. Make sure bags aren’t split. Discard any that have been lying around for a long time. Be careful how you dispose of them, take this sort of material to the local authority waste site. Continue with tidying up around the garden, sweeping up leaves, keeping patio and paths clear. Apply organic fertilisers such as seaweed meal, blood, fish and bone or pelleted chicken manure, around the base of plants, spread and then fork in. Inspect your garden tools and lawnmower ready for the new season, check for frayed cables, loose belts, missing or damaged guards, and accumulation of grass, clean and have serviced if necessary, and lets wait for the longer, warmer days to arrive…..it wont be long now.
2012 is here, hope you had a good Christmas and have a great New Year!
Well the snow did not appear…. as of yet, but let’s not hold our breath…..
You do need to get out and check that all your tender plants are still covered in fleece or bubble wrap; especially with this breezy weather that we have been having, but please be careful with over head branches on large old trees breaking off….just be wary……continue to collect leaves off the lawn and bag up for that lovely stuff for next year. Although it’s not the best of weathers and January is one of our coldest months, there is always something that can be done in the Garden…
Snip Snip Snip… Even if you only have a spare half hour you can always get out and prune your roses whilst they are dormant, cut back to just above a bud and remove any crossing or dead branches. Remove any faded flowers from your winter pansies to stop them setting seed, and you may be rewarded with longer blooming. If you have a Wisteria plant, cut back summer side-shoots to 2 or 3 buds. Infact all Summer flowering shrubs can be pruned between January and March, before new growth starts. Cut back the old foliage from ornamental grasses; trim them to within an inch or two of the ground.
I ho I ho its off to sow sow sow… When buying seeds it is very easy to get carried away by buying lots and lots of packets, dream of flower beds filled with rows and rows of glorious colour, but remember that the plants need to be raised in frost free and light conditions until as late as May, and then, only if the weather is warm enough, be planted out. If you have a greenhouse don’t forget that you only have so much space. Things to sow now are Antirrhinum or Snapdragons, Geranium, Ageratum, Nicotiana, Petunias, Portulaca, and Verbena. Don’t forget that plants grow, and space in your green house is a premium! This is also a good time for sowing Sweet Peas, although the very best Sweet Peas come from those sown in early autumn, this is often forgotten at that time of year. Soak sweet peas in water for 24 hours before sowing them. This will help speed up the germination process and give you healthier and stronger plants.
Birds of a feather… Once again the winter is well and trully here, don’t forget that the wildlife, principally birds, is varied at this time of year more than in any of the other months. Once they discover food in your garden they are likely to return on a daily basis. Try and keep your supply regular, they will come to rely on it. Bird food can be bought at your local garden centre, do-it-yourself store or supermarket, they are cheap and last a long time. Nuts, bread, coconut and vegetables are all ideal. Place the food on a bird table or suspended from a tree or shrub. (you could use your old Christmas tree!) Birds also need water at this time of year as freezing temperatures in January make it difficult for them to find natural supplies. Place an old saucer or bowl where it is naturally warmer than normal (near the walls of the house is ideal) and the water will be less likely to freeze over. Beware the local cats!
Ready for the New Year…Take a look around your garden and have a general tidy up, get rid of slimy patches on the patio and paving by scrubbing with a broom or blasting with a pressure washer. To help with removal of algae try using a path and patio cleaner. If you did not manage to get your pots in to a shed or summerhouse and they have gone a bit green, give them a clean, wash empty pots by scrubbing them with hot water and a mild detergent. Rinse them well afterwards. Consider purchasing a water butt now ready for the summer, rainwater is particularly useful for watering acid-loving, ericaceous plants, tap water is often slightly alkaline. Leave a length of wood in the butt to prevent freezing and splitting. Do you have space for a compost bin? now would be a good time to build or buy one.
Lets leave it there for now, Have a great New Year and untill next time, take care.
Do you often find yourself thinking about the need for extra space, maybe for a growing family, overnight guests, vast amounts of toys or a quite place to work? You may think that moving to a larger house or building a costly extension are the only answers but could a log cabin be what you’re looking for?
Log cabins are manufactured in a range of different log thicknesses and designs and with the right aftercare and maintenance can last for over 20 years. Choosing the right thickness for your cabin is the key; 28 to 44mm logs are ideal if your cabin is to be used during the warmer months as an extra day room, play room or for all year round storage, whilst 58 to 70mm cabins with insualtion can be used all year round, 68 – 70mm log cabins can even be used overnight as a guests rooms.
Many log cabins can be delivered and installed within 4 -5 weeks and without the need for planning permission, depending on their height and the proximity of neighbouring boundaries, making them a relativity cheap and quick alternative to a brick built extension. What’s more, you also get the added benefit of no mess in the house while construction is taking place and if you do choose to move in the future, a log cabin can be dismantled and rebuilt at your new property.
A recent report has suggested that having a garden shed could actually make men live longer. Whether used as a workshop, potting shed or simply as a retreat from the family, a health expert from Leeds Metropolitan University Alan White believes a “few hours retreating in a garden shed could relieve stress, which lowers blood pressure and boosts self-esteem”.
Health experts are so convinced by this concept that as many as 20 ‘men’s shed’ groups have already formed throughout the UK from the Lake District to Greenwich. A scheme originating in Australia, this concept is also being backed by the Men’s Health Forum in the UK.
Communal sheds have been set up as places where men can meet, talk and do DIY. Health experts hope that this relaxed environment will encourage men to listen and be more open about their well-being and men’s health issues.
Since April 2010, the charity Age UK has been running a ‘Men in Sheds’ pilot project involving a sheds, tools and equipment, providing a place where men can come together and learn new skills. The project aims to reduce isolation among men in later life, to improve their health and well-being.
Well at least it’s not snowing…..yet! You need to get out into the garden and get those tender plants and shrubs covered with some fleece or bubble wrap before the really cold weather sets in. Cover your bare ground with any leaves that have blown off the trees; this helps keep the weeds down, and as they break down they give a little nutrients back to your soil, or if you have too many leaves, you can always put them into a bin-bag or heavy duty sack. I find that old compost bags are ideal, leave this in corner of your garden or behind a shed and by next summer you will have the most wonderful mulch/compost to add to your soil.
Keep digging……. Turn over any bare soil if you can, ready for the frost to break down, (before the wet or frosty weather turns up!) Don’t bother if you are on clay, just keep adding the good stuff in drier times. Take a break after all that hard work, why not sit yourself down with a cup of something hot and sweet and have a good read, now is the time to open up your seed catalogue and order next years seeds.
The Kindest cut….. Now is the time to get the loppers, croppers, pruners, or secateurs out, prune your roses back two thirds or half height, lop off any branches that seem to make your trees look off balance, look out of place, or that are diseased or damaged, cut out old or damaged wood on your shrubs and climbers.
Finish this year with Glamour…….. Get yourself down to your local nursery or garden centre, have a look at what’s in bloom and on offer with a little colour for your garden, Lenten or Christmas Rose, (Helleborus x hybridus) these will give a little colour in late December. And for those of you who are lucky enough to have a pocket of lime free soil in your garden, what could be better than a fabulous evergreen that is related to the ‘tea’ family. The Camellia comes into its best in late December, this tree/shrub has over 3000 varieties of hybrids and cultivars to choose from. A lovely splash of vibrant colour!
Green, green grass of home…….Your last cut on the lawn should have been done by now, but if like me you have left it a little late and the grass is a little long, wait until we have a few dry days (we do get this occasionally in December). Remove any debris from your lawn, give it a high cut and remove cuttings, once done get the mower serviced and ready for next years use, repair any patches to your lawn, but don’t pick up your rake! Dried grass serves well as mulch. Fertilizer should be applied in accordance with instructions on poorer lawns.
The general wellbeing of you and your garden…… Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance! Now is the time to have a look around your little piece of heaven. Have a look and see what needs to be repaired, recycled, replaced, cleaned or dumped! Take care of pots that are not frost proof; wrap in bubble wrap or even better get them in the shed or summerhouse for the winter. While you are in the shed have a look at your tools, clean, sharpen and oil or grease, (wrap shears in an oily rag, it helps keep them free of rust). Clean paths and repair fences, check your shed or summerhouse, have a look at the roofing felt, repair or replace if necessary, and if the weather is good perhaps a coat or two protector on your shed might be a good idea. Clear your hose of water and put in the shed to save freeze damage and having to buy a new one next year. Cover outside taps, again to help prevent freeze damage.
All creatures great and small……Lets not forget our little garden guests, give bird tables a good clean to help prevent the spread of disease, keep feeders full with nuts and seeds, and of course the highly desirable fat balls! And a little kitchen waste never goes amiss! Make sure they have access to water, especially when the weather freezes. Leave small piles of leaf litter and logs around the garden for the smallest of our garden creatures, check any piles before clearing for the little critters.
The holly and the Ivy…….This Christmas, if you are decorating trees, your house or your garden with lights outside, do not forget to use the correct ‘outside use’ lights. If you are using last years lights it might be a good idea to have a qualified electrician run a test on them.
Have you always wanted to grow your own vegetables, herbs and fruit but do not have much space in your garden to do so? The VegTrug is the perfect solution. It can be placed any where in your garden, wherever there is good sunlight you can grow almost anything you want!
With the VegTrug’s versatile shape it allows you to grow different herbs, vegetables and fruit. The ‘V’ shape of the VegTrug gives you enough room for the vegetables that need deep soil. You can grow them in the middle of the VegTrug leaving enough room around the edges to grow lots of other vegetables, herbs and fruit which do not need as much soil depth.
The cost of living is increasing every day but this should not mean a decrease in our quality of life. There is a worrying increase in demand of cheap foods from farmers all over the world; this can sometimes mean chemicals are used to speed up the growth of fresh produce. What is better than knowing your home grown produce does not contain any pesticides or chemicals and knowing where it has come from? With the purchase of your own VegTrug, grow produce for the family all year round.
Designed carefully, the VegTrug has been made to suit everyone. The VegTrug is raised off the ground making it suitable for anyone who finds it difficult to bend down to ground level. It allows you to easily stand and plant your variety of vegetables at a comfortable height. This design makes this VegTrug wheel chair friendly because the V shape allows you to use the VegTrug without difficulties. The VegTrug is very popular with schools and we are working closely with schools all over the U.K. We want to encourage children not only to eat healthily but to show them how fun growing your own vegetables, herbs and fruit can be. It’s great for children to see the VegTrug mature as time passes.
Herbs are easy to grow and can make your VegTrug look attractive with the huge range available. You may want to consider placing your VegTrug close to the house when growing herbs because you will be regularly harvesting the herbs to use in your cooking! Some of the herbs you can grow include; Basil, Bay, Parsley, Chives, Coriander, Dill, Garlic, Mint, Nasturtium, Sage, Rosemary, Tarragon and Thyme.
Vegetables are a brilliant source of vitamins and minerals so why not use your VegTrug to grow a variety of vegetables to cook and enjoy in your meals. If you like to cook there is no better satisfaction than using your own home grown vegetables from your garden. The list is endless what you could grow in your new VegTrug but here are some favourites you can grow; Beetroot, Carrots, Cauliflowers, Lettuce, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Runner Beans and Onions.
There is so much you can do with the fruit grown in your VegTrug whether you like to eat fruit on its own, in a smoothie or perhaps jam on your toast? Fruit gives the brain energy and is all part of your ‘5 a day!’ Make the most of your VegTrug by growing blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes and much more!
Whether you use your VegTrug for vegetables, herbs or fruits or all three, make the most of your VegTrug by growing something you have never tried before. It could open your taste buds to something you have been missing out on for too long! Please be aware for iPhone users there is a ‘VegTrug’ application which shows you more information about how to grow vegetables, herbs and fruit if you are unsure of how to grow anything and there is a comprehensive website which shows you how easy growing your produce really is.
The VegTrug arrives to you flat packed in a box but do not let this scare you! With easy to assemble parts, the girls in the Taylors Garden Buildings office found it easy to put the VegTrug together in one afternoon. There are instructions supplied and a link included to a video where you can watch an installation demonstration. There are few parts to the VegTrug and the necessary fixings are supplied. We really enjoyed installing the VegTrug and it gave us great satisfaction to see it in use just days after being installed. The VegTrug we installed (with the weather against us!) is now on display at our show area and we have loved eating the strawberries, carrots and adding lettuce to our sandwiches which have grown in the VegTrug!
With the large amount of vegetables herbs and fruit which you can grow throughout the year, don’t hold back and wait until the spring to order your VegTrug. Order now and start growing straight away, you will not regret buying a VegTrug; they are the perfect addition to any garden.
We all love our garden shed, but few of us could afford to hire an industry leading firm of architects to design; but Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney can, and that’s precisely what he’s done.
The 25 year old millionaire footballer has hired Pulmann Associates Architects, the award winning Cheshire based firm to design a great new garden shed for the back garden of his 4 million pound. While Pulmann associates might have more experience designing high end shopping centres and residential complexes, they have agreed to tackle this less tricky of propositions.
The all new garden shed will replace a smaller, more traditional shed and will be a whopping 7m by 4m, and 3.5m high. The gigantic garden building is three times the size of the previous version and required planning permission to get the go ahead. It also incurredthe wrath of the Rooney family’s neighbours who complained that the offending garden shed was too big and closer to their homes. Council planners, however, sided with the uber-rich soccer superstar, and gave the new shed plans the green light.
A source was quoted in a major tabloid newspaper saying “It’s quite a basic structure.
“Most people would simply go to a garden centre and buy one
“It seems remarkable that you would employ a top firm of architects for a shed”.
Now, the question on every shed lovers lips has to be, will Wayne’s garden shed ambition spark a trend among the super rich footballing elite, for turning to top class architects for a new breed of all singing all dancing, gigantic garden sheds?
Winter is officially upon us at the end of this month but there is still time to consider purchasing a few useful if not essential winter products. We have many products designed to keep you warm and toasty right through to the spring including Heated Waistcoats and Gloves designed to keep you warm during any outdoor activity, from walking the dog to sporting events.
We all know snow makes a Christmas day perfect however the reality of day to day activity is often hindered by bad weather conditions and can be especially dangerous for the elderly. For example a Salt Spreader is an ideal way to ensure your pathways and drive ways are safe during bad weather conditions. We also offer the Mini Grit Bin which will house your rock salt suitably throughout the winter but can also be used to store garden tools during the summer months.
There is nothing more frustrating than waiting for your windscreen to clear before departing on your daily journeys and the ceramic car heater is the perfect answer to this. No more starting you car 15 minutes prior to leaving, the ceramic car heater generates an instant heat and warms your car effectively. It will also eliminate melting in your car in the hot summer months; simply switch over for a cold refreshing blast of air keeping you cool on the longest or shortest journeys.
A final thought to the winter evenings when nothing beats a real fire and the Newspaper Briquette Maker is ideal, recycle your old newspapers to create your own non-toxic firelighters for log burners. This will burn effectively for approximately 2 hours and creates minimal ash. However it’s versatile and can be used effectively with Barbeques for the summer months and fire pits for when the evening chill sets in; a year round product!
A great selection of winter products which are all easily accessible through our website or alternatively our sales team is at the end of the phone to answer any of your enquiries.
