Posts by Lisa Smith
Composting
Why make your own compost? Gardens and kitchens generate lots of waste which can form as much as 20% of the material sent to landfill sites. By composting green waste, you can reduce landfill and produce compost which will improve your garden’s productivity. If you dig compost into your garden, it will improve soil fertility,…
Read MoreLeafmould
In Patrick’s Patch we gratefully rake up all the leaves which fall into Patrick’s Patch in the autumn. Small amounts of autumn-leaves can be added to the compost heap but too many will slow down the composting process. We prefer to deal with all our autumn-leaves separately in order to produce leafmould. We use our…
Read MoreDecember Gardening Tips
There is so much to do in December – presents, parties and delving into the tub of chocolates you have been patiently waiting to open! Don’t feel guilty, did you know the colourful wrappers of Quality Street sweets are now made of paper! To work off those treats there is still so much to do…
Read MoreNovember Gardening Tips
November is a perfect time to plant a tree, when dormant the tree will establish more successfully than during summer. Now is a good time to wash, dry and store any used pots, seed trays and containers to remove overwintering pests and diseases that may infect your plants next year. Whilst you have your tidying…
Read MoreOctober Gardening Tips
In late October, cut back asparagus stalks to the ground. Mulch 3 to 4 inches with well rotted manure. Prepare your vegetable beds for spring by removing all debris and digging over the plot, leaving the soil open so the frost can get into the soil. Cover with well rotted manure. Lift and store Begonia,…
Read MoreSeptember Gardening Tips
Plant out wallflowers and tulips now for a wonderful combination of spring colour. Divide and replant perennials to ease any congested areas. Continue sowing hardy annuals for early flowering next year – Calendula, Centaurea, Papaver rhoeas, Papaver somniferum, and Scabious can all be direct sown now. Remember to keep them weed free as they germinate.…
Read MoreAugust Gardening Tips
Water in the morning and evening, trying to avoid wasting too much water on leaves. Using a soak hose ensures water is deposited next to the roots. Cut back perennials that have finished flowering to help them recover from the drought. Cut back Lavender leaving at least 2 pairs of leaves below the point you…
Read MoreJuly Gardening Tips
Continue to plant half-hardy annuals such as Cosmos, Nicotianas, Zinnias and Cleomes for autumn colour. Prune English Lavender that has flowered in June. Remove stems leaving 2/3 pairs of leaves below the cut. Early flowering Geraniums like ‘Sabani Blue’ and ‘Johnsons Blue’ can be cut back to the ground and fed with Chicken Pellets to…
Read MoreJune Gardening Tips
Thin out hardy annuals leaving 30cm between plants to allow them to develop fully. Provide pea sticks as support for Cornflowers and Ammi. Sow Wallflowers and honesty for flowering next spring. Mulch borders with bark to reduce water evaporation. Stake and tie up taller perennials such as Delphiniums and Peonies. Divide Primulas, Primroses and Cowslips.…
Read MoreMay Gardening Tips
Plant out Dahlia tubers and Gladioli for late summer flowers. Sow hardy annuals like Cornflowers, Nigellas and Marigolds direct into beds. Plant hanging baskets and pots on patios- if you are stuck with choosing the plants, choose an ‘Easy Basket’ or a ‘Garden Cocktail’ with pre-selected combinations. Sow Basil directly into raised beds or the…
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