Crocus has cut the price of these items

blueberry-jam was £4.99 now £3.99
A distinctive jam that has been lovingly prepared by hand in small batches by master preservers, it contains nothing but the finest whole fruit and natural ingredients. During World War II RAF pilots reported their night sight noticeably improved after eating blueberry jam. Supplied in a 340g pot.

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New products at Crocus

deciduous azalea £15.99
Position: partial shadeSoil: moist, well-drained, humus-rich, acid soil or ericaceous compostRate of growth: fast-growingFlowering period: May and JuneFlower colour: yellowOther features: vivid bonfire shades in autumnHardiness: fully hardySweetly scented, yellow, funnel shaped blooms in May and June and mid green leaves, which take on vivid bonfire shades in autumn. This vigorous, deciduous azalea looks great planted in a mixed border with other evergreen trees or shrubs. As long as it’s given moist, well-drained acid soil it will tolerate full sun.Garden care: Avoid planting too deeply. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of leaf mould around the base of the plant each spring.

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As always with all Gardening you should grow the herbs that you actually use. So stop and think about what herbs you use in your everyday cooking. Do you use basil? Do you use mint? What should have identified the herbs you use regularly you’ll see which you might want to grow. Some herbs are very easy. Basil can be grown in a pot on a windowsill in your own home. It loves being in a pot and can be grown for virtually the whole year indoors.
Herb seeds and plants at Suttons

Some plants are quite ornamental power suited to any garden. Rosemary is a very attractive bush that is evergreen and has pretty little flowers. You could grow this in any border and then cut twigs of rosemary off to use in your cooking. Sage can grow in your garden quite easily and you can also take cuttings from it and put them in pots on a windowsill. Time is a lovely plant although low growing, it is quite happy in your garden.

Mint is a lovely plant grow your garden although it can be quite invasive so is worth growing either in a pot or planting a pot in the soil to prevent the roots spreading too much. There are a large variety of minutes so you should pick which one you like to use, peppermint or spearmint are favourites.

Chides grow easily in your garden too. They can also be grown on a windowsill indoors during the winter. Oregano can also be grown from seed or cuttings. This can be grown indoors or outside.

The herbs can be cut and dried during the summer months. They should be stored in the dark dry place to ensure they keep for a long time. You will also be able to use them fresh in your cooking and then you will be able to tell the benefits of growing your own herbs. You don’t need a large garden to grow herbs and most will grow happily in tops or pots on your patio. If they are near your kitchen door you’ll find you who use them more than if you have a long trek down the garden.

Some herbs are perennials. This includes mint, thyme, Rosemary and Sage. Parsley is a biannual herb, which means it takes two years before they flower seed, so if you want to grow Parsley you have to plants in every year to ensure a good supply. Annuals include basil.

You can try growing more unusual herbs too. Some are simple to grow and it can be rewarding to grow unusual plants. Some plants are tricky, such as Parsley which can be hard to germinate. Some plants will go to seed quickly such as coriander. Don’t let this put you off the growing herbs is great fun and very rewarding in the kitchen.

Seed saving hints to help in the credit crunch — grow your own.

You can grow press at home very simply. It brightens up salads can go on sandwiches and is very cheap and easy. You can buy Crest seeds at some supermarkets and all you have to do is planted on wet kitchen roll or tissue. Keep it down and within a couple of days it will sprout and develop little green leaves. It’s at this point when you harvest it by cutting with scissors. It’s very quick and easy and can really brightened up a door sandwich. You can grow salad in the same sort of way and you pick them as micro-leaves.

You can grow salad in grow bags outside on your patio once spring arrives. It is easy and quick also. The biggest problem you will have is stopping slugs from eating it, but you can do this by keeping it off the ground.

If you have a window box you can grow herbs. In fact if you have a windowsill you can grow basil very easily. Basil was to be grown in pots. You can buy pots of basil in the vegetable section at the supermarket. These can be kept alive some time with careful watering and even repotting. Chives bought the same place can also be repotted. These can be put in the garden where they will grow for years and years. Fruit bushes and trees make a good investment although somewhat more long-term than growing herbs. Once trees start through they will continue to fruit for many years. You can grow many fruits in your own garden including apple, pear, plum and damsons.

If you don’t have room for fruit tree then consider the wild fruit that is freely available along prowls and very quiet roads. You can find blackberries in the autumn and these delicious fresh water jam. There are also rosehips that you can use to make a syrup. You may also be lucky and find a hazelnut tree in the wild.

John Lewis just added these new products

John Lewis Stainless Steel Firepit £186.00
An eco-friendly alternative to patio heaters, this firepit can be used as both a barbecue and a heater. When completely cool, the lid (sold separately) can be used to cover the bowl, creating a handy side table in the process.

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Price cut on this product at Northern Tool UK

37cc 16″ Petrol Chainsaw was £117.49 now £105.74
This 16″ (460mm) petrol chainsaw features an anti-vibration system for added user comfort, and a chain tensioner at the front of the unit. Bar Length: 16″ / 460mm Engine Size: 37cc Usage Weight: 4.98kg Chain Pitch: 0.375″ Fuel Capacity: 0.31L Oil Capacity: 0.21L Electronic Ignition

Reduced price on items today at Dobies

In-Flower Planters (Small) was £4.00 now £1.50
WAS £7.50. NOW £1.50. SAVE £6.00! No matter how carefully you plan your borders, as bulbs and perennials go over, you will always be left with ‘holes’. But using in-flower planters you simply lift out and replace plants that are past their best! Made from 99% recycled plastic, they are strong and long-lasting. The unique design allows water to penetrate, but contains plant roots for minimal distrubance, and has handles for easy lifting. Available in two sizes: Small: Base 14cm (5½”), top 23cm (9″), height 10cm (4″); c.3.5 litres. Large: Base 14cm (5½”), top 30cm (12″), height 20cm (8″); c.10 litres.

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Dobies has hundreds of new items today

Aluminium Framed Polycarbonate Greenhouse and Base 10ft5 x 6ft4 £555.00
10’5″ x 6’4″ wide Greenhouse and Base. Growing area 5.8m

Filed: Dobies, New Products