My New Pond Pumps…
Posted by Susan on Sep 21, 2009
Autumn is well and truly on its way, its September already and the summer months have gone now…
Well it was pretty good weather this weekend, the sun was shining allday Saturday and even stayed in sight most of Sunday! So much so that I even mowed the lawn, did a little weeding and decided to install some new Pond Pumps for my amazing garden pond!! It seems to be having a great effect already, the fish seem happier and the water seems clearer…. All in all I think this was a great investment!
Oh I also caught a few glimpses of the Manchester Derby, what a match that was, United dominating the second half to win 4-3!! Plenty of goals, wish I had watched the whole game!!
But in a way I am glsd I didn’t, especially now my wonderful garden pond has its all new Pond Pumps installed, it took a bit of time to set them up correctly but once they were right it felt like a job well done! As long as next doors cat and the annoying Heron stay away then I think I am going to have some great fish and an amazing looking pond, my neighbours will be so jealous!!! Ha Ha!!
Add a garden pond and attract wildlife
Posted by Susan on Aug 26, 2009
There is more to gardening than just plants. Having a pond in your garden is a great addition that will not only add aesthetic pleasure but will also bring wildlife into your garden. Installing a pond is not however an easy task. Once you have decided on the pond size and whether you want to have fish you will need to consider what type of liner you will use and also choose the pond pump and filter.
Epalyn is now the most common liner choice. It is durable and resistant to tears and punctures and also quite cheap compared to the previously favoured butyl. Make sure you plan your installation fully and don’t scrimp on materials. Your pond is a place when you can relax and enjoy some free time. So make a wise decision and get the best pond you can.
From simple garden storage to multipurpose workshops
Posted by Stefan on Aug 11, 2009
Every gardener needs somewhere to store their tools and associated garden paraphernalia. In fact you can tell what type of gardener somebody is by just taking a look inside their shed. If it is tidy and neat with everything in its place it can be expected that the garden will be the same, with a neatly mown lawn, tilled borders and not a dead plant in sight. If the tools are haphazard then expect the garden to be the same.
Tools are important for every gardener and good quality tools are a must. If you are just starting out on a new garden or have just been given the keys to your allotment there is a myriad of tools that you can choose from. From spades and forks to hoes and trowels, a visit to your local garden centre will reveal the many options on offer.
If you have a new garden or even allotment, one thing that is needed to store all your things is a shed or some other form of storage container. This will be somewhere you can keep your things dry, under lock and key and keep everything else you may need for your garden, from seed trays to potting compost. If you can afford the space instead of just getting a 6 by 4 shed, a good option is to go for a larger storage option. If you get a shed big enough you can even use it as a workshop or convert part of it to provide desk space where you can keep details about your garden plans or design next years garden layout. You might think that workshops in your garden is a little over the top, but if you have the space you should use it to its fullest potential.
The common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Posted by Susan on Jun 30, 2009
The foxglove is a common biennial herbaceous plant. The flowering stems are quite recognisable and can reach a height of 1 to 2 metres tall. The flowers are soft, bell shaped florets and are usually purple, yellow or white and flowering time is early summer although some secondary stems can be seen to flower later in the year.
The foxglove is a quintessential English cottage garden plant and provides a beautiful addition to any border. The plant likes a sandy loam soil and prefers partial sun to full shade. A staggering fact about the foxglove is that it produces about one to two million seeds before it dies.
Agapanthus
Posted by Susan on Jun 29, 2009
Agapanthus are a type of herbaceous perennial plant that can brighten up any border. The used to be only able to grow in warm southern gardens but recently more hardier versions of the plant have been produced so they can be planted just about anywhere in the UK.
Agapanthus have large rounded heads of flowers that are displayed on a long stem, colours go from blue to violet but there are also some pure white types. They used to be native to South Africa but are now found in gardens all over Europe. They don’t like waterlogged soil or types of soil that dry out quickly during the growing season, in fact they need lots of water throughout the early spring and summer to ensure growing success.
Stradsett Hall Garden Show 2009
Posted by Stefan on Jun 29, 2009
Buying new plants can be quite expensive, especially if they are already well established. There is no better way to buy plants than at your local flower or gardening show and if the shows has good connections to a reputable charity then all the better.
The Stradsett Hall garden show 2009 will take place on Saturday and Sunday the 4th and 5th of July in Norfolk. Set in beautiful surroundings including private garden and lake, the shows highlights include a butterfly barrel competition, an art exhibition, antique valuations and over 75 trade stands.
The show supports a number of local charities including Norfolk Hospice, East Anglia Air Ambulance and the Kin’s Lynn branch of the National Osteoporosis Society.
Watering and planting in June
Posted by Jamie on Jun 27, 2009
Now that June is almost at an end you may have noticed that you need to water your garden more. Even though it seems like it rains every other day your plants will need topping up with water because the soil will feel quite dry just underneath the surface.
If you water really well about once a week the roots of plants will put down longer deeper roots because the soil will be wetter deeper down, this is far better of course than shallow roots that can dry out a lot easier if they are not watered often.
If you are planting any new shrub or tree at this time of year then you should soak the root ball and the bottom of the hole you have dug, this is a far better method than just planting and then watering the surface.
The difference between annuals and perennials
Posted by Stefan on Jun 25, 2009
For the seasoned gardener this may seem an obvious subject, however for the novice the difference still needs to be spelt out.
Annuals
An annual is any plant whose life cycle lasts for only one year. This is from seed to flower and then again to seed. If you are lucky the plant will reseed in the same position it was last year.
Perennials
These plants last for year on year, in the winter they may die back or remain dormant but will return with full aplomb the next year. They can be divided into two main types – herbaceous (plants that die back) and woody (don’t die back but grow larger, for example shrubs and trees).
Gardening tools
Posted by Susan on Jun 24, 2009
There are some tools that the avid gardener can not do without. Everyone has their favourite but here is a list of a few essential items that every gardener should have.
• Spade – More than one spade is always a good idea, choose one that is a good tool for everyday digging and a more heavy duty alternative that can be use for shovelling or lifting plants.
• Fork – As with the spade it is the quality of the item that matters, two piece units can often break and inferior quality items are generally not worth the money.
• Hand trowel and fork – For the delicate weeding and planting these should always be kept close at hand.
• Pruners/shears – Ones with blades that can be sharpened or interchangeable blades are the best as blunt pruners can be difficult to use.
• Hoe – A good quality sharp hoe is a key component in your tool kit. There are backwards and forwards operating hoes, it is a personal choice which to choose.
• Rake – imagine trying to clear up leaves or rubbish without a rake?
• Watering can – An essential item that you can never do without.
Small garden ideas
Posted by Jamie on Jun 12, 2009
If you live in a terraced house and only have a small space to try to create a garden you should not worry. There are many designs that can be incorporated into a small space, so if you need inspiration a few ideas are discussed below:
• Raised beds are a great way to divide your garden up into sections. They are also easier to weed and although they require a little more construction than standard ground level beds they are much easier to look after when they are built.
• A herb bed is always a great idea, or if you are feeling a little more adventurous a kitchen garden will provide you with home grown veg throughout the summer.
• Try to have some sort of sitting area so you can relax on hot summer days, you can get prefabricated stone circles quite cheaply from garden centres. They can provide a centre point for your garden and you can incorporate planting round it once it is laid.
• If you are on a budget, perennial plants will flower year after year so you will not have to go to the garden centre every year to buy new bedding plants.