Garden And Gardener

Everything for the Gardener and their Garden

Archive for January, 2013

Design a garden competition

Thursday, January 31st, 2013

A competition for a garden design!
This is a competition to design a family-friendly garden, based on an 8m x 8m flat site, which may be viewed by visitors from 2 or 3 sides. A backdrop should be considered. It may include an area of excavation but it should be no deeper than 0.5m.

The competition is not open to professional garden designers or gardeners – only amateurs. To qualify as an amateur, individuals should not earn more than 50% of their annual income from garden design and/or gardening and should not hold a formal garden design qualification.

There’s a list of things you’re not allowed and a list of plants you can use!

I’m quite tempted although I have never tried anything like this before!

Overwintering plant tents

Thursday, January 31st, 2013

Wow!


Overwintering Plant Tents
 £295.00
Send Your Vulnerable Potted Plants On A Frost Free Winter Camping Trip In Your Own Back Garden With The Overwintering Plant Tents, Fully Loaded Winter Plant Protection Tents An Everest Expedition Would Be Glad To Use.available In Two Cavernous Sizes – The Large Tent Is 2m High By 2.4m Wide And The Extra Large Is 2.8m By 3.4m – The Overwintering Plant Tents Feature A Sturdy Click Together Frame And The Material Giving Your Plants Total Winter Protection Is Uv Resistant, 130 Gsm Pvc-foil. Theres An Insulated Ground Sheet Which Zips Onto The Tent Too Make Things Even More Toasty And Light And Air Are In Plentiful Supply Thanks To The Light Transmissive Qualities Of The Pvc Foil And The Vent Hole.the Overwintering Plant Tents Can Be Used To Compliment An Existing Greenhouse Which May Prove Too Costly To Heat Or Can Be Use As The Sole Source Of Winter Plant Protection And You Neednt Confine These Tents To Winter Use; They Are Equally Adept At Warming The Soil And Forming A Protective Cloche Over Early Crops, And Can Also Be Filled With A Layer Of Soil To Raise Spring Crops Inside!you Can Even Deploy The Plant Tent As A Summer Hot House For Your Temperate Fruit And Vegetables And With Their Flexibility, Easy Relocation And 30 Minute Assembly Time – And The Fact You Can Fold Them Away In The Accompanying Carry Bag – Were Sure The Overwintering Plant Tents Are Going To Be In Use 12 Months Of The Year!overwintering Plant Tents Available In Two Sizeslarge Tent Measures 2m H X 2.4m Wextra Large Is 2.8m H X 3.4m Wperfect For Protecting Vulnerable Winter Potted And Container Plantsoffer An Inexpensive Alternative To Greenhousecan Also Be Used To Compliment Greenhouse As An Overflowplants Inside Protected From Snow, Hail, Frost, Wind And Rainsturdy Clip Together Frameuv Resistant Pvc Foil Covergood Light Tramsmission Through Protective Coverdouble Zipped Openings For Easy Accesscloseable Vent Hole To Allow Air Inguy Ropes To Protect From Wind13

Woodchip as a mulch

Thursday, January 31st, 2013

Mulch pileI’ve got a huge pile of woodchip available – and as much as we want when we’ve used this up!

This pdf (right click file save as) is research done into the use of woodchip as a mulch cover.
http://fls.cals.cornell.edu/OCRPDF/FLS-002.pdf

3. The main-plot treatments that included hardwood chips as a soil amendment were particularly beneficial in terms of effects on crop yields, on several chemical and physical soil properties, and on indices of soil biological population and activity.

Under continuous cropping to vegetables, topdressing with hardwood chips after planting (the chips to be plowed under the following year) was an outstanding treatment with respect to effects on yields and maintenance or buildup of soil nitrogen and structure.

Wood Chips in Vegetable Production
Brian Caldwell

Starting crops off and protection

Thursday, January 31st, 2013

The first few months of the year gardeners spend germinating seeds and then potting them up and hardening them off so they can go outside. Harrod Horticulture have plenty of products to help you do this. Propogators will get your seeds off to a good start. Poly tunnels and covers can keep the worst of the weather off them too.


Super 7 Propagator
 £34.95
The Super 7 Mini Propagator Is Ideal To Fit On A Window-sill, Measuring 76cm X 18cm, The Electrically Heated Base Uses Only 15 Watts Of Power And It Comes Complete With Seven Quarter Size Covered, Vented Seed Trays. For Anyone Who Loves Growing Seeds, A Heated Propagator Is A Vital Piece Of Equipment. Mini-seed Trays And Lids Are Available Separately, Allowing You To Increase Your Growing Potential And Produce Crops In Succession For A Constant Supply Of Fresh Produce.its Slim Design Fits Neatly On A Window Sill, The Seven Vented Cells Means You Can Grow Different Varieties In Individual Trays, And Being Heated Gets Your Seeds Off To A Flying Startheated Base Height Is 4.5cm Above Ground And 1.8cm Deeppropagator Is Not Thermostatically Controlled And Will Increase The Ambient Temperature Of The Compost By Around 8 Degrees Cbest Results Obtained By Positioning Propagator In A Warm Location Eg. Heated Greenhouse Or On A Sunny Windowsilleach Tray Measures 15.5cm Long X 9.5cm Wide X 4.5cm Deepextra Mini-seed Trays And Lids Available

Self-watering Super 7 Propagator
 £20.95
On The Back Of The Popularity Of The Almost-cant-do-without Super 7 Propagator – A Mainstay Of Any Greenhouse Or Potting Shed Propagation Department – Weve Added The Self-watering Super 7 Propagator To Our Extensive Range Of Propagation Equipment. although Theres No Heated Base To The Self-watering Super 7 Propagator, There Is An Innovative Self-watering System To Give Seedlings And Young Plants Plenty Of H20, Consisting Of A Platform Covered In Capillary Matting Housed Inside The 3.4 Ltr Outer Reservoir Tray. Plants Will Draw Water From The Tray By Capillary Action As And When They Need It And The Seven Individual Mini-seed Trays And Lids – Available Separately – Increase The Quantity And Variety Of Plants Which Can Be Grown.self-watering Super 7 Propagator Comes Complete With 7 Mini-seed Trays And Lidsall Lids Fitted With Adjustable Vent3.4 Litre Water Reservoircompletely Self Wateringuses Capillary Matting To Draw Water Into Soilideal Entry Level Propagatorsimple To Assemble And Perfect For Childrenmeasures 76cm/30″ X 17.5cm/7″ X 15cm/6″ Htailor Made For Windowsill Growingjust The Job For Starting Off Seedlings In The Kitchenuse In An Unheated Greenhouse For Late Spring/summer Seed Sowingthe Mini-seed Trays And Lids For The Self-watering Super 7 Propagator Are Available Separately, Allowing You To Run A Succession Sowing Programme And Keep A Constant Supply Of Fresh Salads And Vegetables. Visit The Super 7 Propagator For Full Details.

Twinwall Polycarbonate Panels
 £59.95
Sold In Packs Of 10, These 1220mm X 610mm X 4mm Twinwall Polycarbonate Panels Really Are Top Of The Range When It Comes To Garden Glazing Solutions. ideal For Forming Cloches And Cold Frames, The Polycarbonate Sheets Measure The Same Size As Two Panes Of Standard Greenhouse Glass And Boast Vastly Superior Insulation Properties – Each Glazing Sheet Is Also Uv Stabilised, Allows 82% Light Transmission And Can Be Cut To Size And Shape With A Handsaw, Jigsaw Or Bandsaw.the Twinwall Polycarbonate Panels Also Offer Exceptional Safety In The Garden Environment With Children Around And Are Also Used To Glaze Conservatories, Carports And Even Swimming Pools And The Low Rate Of Heat Loss Means Greenhouse Heaters Are Cheaper To Run And Your Plants Benefit As Well As Your Pocket!twinwall Polycarbonate Panels Supplied In Packs Of 10each Polycarbonate Panel Measures 1220mm X 610mm X 4mmsuperb Insulation Qualities Make The Panels Ideal For Greenhouse Useperfect For Making Garden Cloches And Cold Framestwinwall Panels Are Uv Stabilised82% Light Transmissionused To Glaze Conservatories, Carports And Swimming Poolseach Polycarbonate Sheet Measures Equivalent Of 2 Standard Greenhouse Glass Paneseasily Cut To Size And Shape With Handsaw, Jigsaw Or Bandsawhigh Impact Resistance10 Year Limited Warrantygood Fire Resistance With No Emission Of Toxic Gasesthis Product Is Exempt From Any Promotions

Giant Crop Protection Tunnel Packs (set Of Two)
 £44.90
Our Giant Crop Protection Tunnel Packs, Available In Sets Of Two, Enable You To Keep Your Allotment And Kitchen Garden Crops Protected In A Big Way Almost All Year Round Thanks To The Variety Of Coverings; Choose From Fleece For Winter Protection, Polythene For Early And Late Season Growing And Warmth, A Micro-mesh Version To Keep Out Insects And Minute Pests And The Net Tunnel For Stopping Birds Gobbling Up Ripening Summer Fruit. our Giant Crop Protection Tunnel Packs Also Offer Excellent Value For Money As You Could Enjoy Savings Of 5 When Purchasing Two Of The 3m Long, 60cm Wide By 45cm High Tunnels. Each Tunnel Features In-built Steel Hoops For Support And Drawstring Ends Which Can Be Opened For Ventilation And Secured Shut For Protection; And As Each Tunnel Concertinas Out, You Can Make The Protection Frame As Short As Required. Giant Crop Protection Tunnel Packs (set Of Two) Are Easy To Erect, Fold Away And Store And Will Give Years Of Crop Protection Service. extra Value Offer! Buy Any Two Of Our Giant Crop Protection Tunnels And Save 5!giant Crop Protection Tunnel Packs (set Of Two) Offer A Saving Of 5choose From Fleece, Polythene, Mesh And Net Versionseach Tunnel Measures 3m L X 60cm W X 45cm Htunnels Complete With Adjustable Drawstring Endssturdy Steel Hoops Form Frame And Anchor Tunnel Into Soilsimply Fold Out Tunnel And Push Steel Hoops Into Soileasy To Fold Uptunnel Can Be Set Up To Any Length Up To 3mfolds Flat For Easy Storage30gsm Fleece Tunnel Keeps Out Worst Of Winter Weather150 Micron Poly Tunnel Great For Early And Late Season Growing And Heat-loving Plants0.6mm Square Micro-mesh Keeps Out Even The Smallest Of Insects And Pests5mm Polyethylene Net Tunnel Prevents Birds From Gobbling Up Summer Fruitsall Tunnels – Fleece, Poly, Mesh And Net – All Available Separatelylarge Sizes Of All Above Tunnels Also Available In Extra Value Sets Of 2provide Up To 6m Of Crop Protection With A Pack Of Two Giant Tunnels

Rootrainer Racking System
 £29.95
Designed To Be Used Withrootrainers, The Rootrainer Racking Station Is A Must Have For Experienced Seed Sowers And The Perfect Starting Point For Complete Novicesthe Rack Will Hold 8 Deep Or Rapid Rootrainers And Make A Great Deal Of Difference In The Greenhouse, In Polytunnels, Conservatories Or Patios Anywhere Where Space Is Limited. Keeping Sets Of Rootrainers Above Ground, Enhances The Rootrainers Unique Air Pruning Qualities. Storing Them Like This Will Also Allow For Easier Sowing, Watering And Tending, Especially Useful If You Want To Reduce The Amount Of Bending Over In The Garden.neat, Lightweight, And Easy To Assemble The Racking Station Is Easy To Store Until Your Next Round Of Seed Sowing.designed To Hold 8 Packs Of Rootrainers (available Separately)space Saving Designeasy To Assemble87cm W X 78cm H X 39cm D

Large Crop Protection Tunnel Packs (set Of Two)
 £28.90
Our Large Crop Protection Tunnel Packs, Available In Sets Of Two, Enable You To Keep Your Allotment And Kitchen Garden Crops Protected Almost All Year Round Thanks To The Variety Of Coverings; Choose From Fleece For Winter Protection, Polythene For Early And Late Season Growing And Warmth, Micromesh To Protect From Pestsand The Net Tunnel For Keeping Birds Off Ripening Summer Fruit. our Large Crop Protection Tunnel Packs Also Offer Excellent Value For Money As You Could Enjoy Savings Of 3 When Purchasing Two Of The 3m Long, 45cm Wide By 30cm High Tunnels. Each Tunnel Features In-built Steel Hoops For Support And Drawstring Ends Which Can Be Opened For Ventilation And Secured Shut For Protection; And As Each Tunnel Concertinas Out, You Can Make The Protection Frame As Short As Required. Large Crop Protection Tunnel Packs (set Of Two) Are Easy To Erect, Fold Away And Store And Will Give Years Of Crop Protection Service. extra Value Offer! Buy Any Two Of Our Large Crop Protection Tunnels And Save 3!large Crop Protection Tunnel Packs (set Of Two) Offer A Saving Of 3choose From Fleece, Polythene And Net Versionseach Tunnel Measures 3m L X 45cm W X 30 Htunnels Complete With Adjustable Drawstring Endssturdy Steel Hoops Form Frame And Anchor Tunnel Into Soilsimply Fold Out Tunnel And Push Steel Hoops Into Soileasy To Fold Uptunnel Can Be Set Up To Any Length Up To 3mfolds Flat For Easy Storage30gsm Fleece Tunnel Keeps Out Worst Of Winter Weather150 Micron Poly Tunnel Great For Early And Late Season Growing And Heat-loving Plants5mm Polyethylene Net Tunnel Prevents Birds From Gobbling Up Summer Fruitsall Tunnels – Fleece , Poly, Micromeshand Net – All Available Separatelygiant Sizes Of All Above Tunnelsavailable In Extra Value Sets Of 2provide Up To 6m Of Crop Protection With A Pack Of Two Large Tunnels

Easy Fleece Tunnels
 £15.95
High Grade (30 Gsm) Polypropylene Fleece Covers These Easy Tunnels, Creating Warmth And Insulation Whilst Allowing Water And Sunlight To Filter Through – A Constant Atmosphere Is Maintained For Faster, Even Growth And Protection Against Frost, Strong Sunlight And Pestsnew Improved Product Design Offers The Very Best In Plant Protectiondrawstring Enables Open Or Closed Ends For Ventilation Or Maximum Protectionthere Are Two Sizes Availablelarge 3m L X 45cm W X 30cm Hgiant 3m L X 60cm W X 45cm Hsave Up To 5 On Extra Value Pack Options

Easy Poly Tunnels
 £15.95
Covered With Tough Uv Stabilised Polyethylene Sheeting, The Tunnel Forms A Complete Barrier To Repel Pests Whilst Retaining Moisture And Air, Generating Maximum Warmth. The Subsequent Humid Environment Is Ideal For Warming The Soil Before Planting Out And The Polyethylene Also Protects Plants From Frosts And Harsh Weather, As Well As Pestsnew Improved Product Design Offers The Very Best In Plant Protectiondrawstring Enables Open Or Closed Ends For Ventilation Or Maximum Protectionthere Are Two Sizes Availablelarge 3m L X 45cm W X 30cm Hgiant 3m L X 60cm W X 45cm Hsave Up To 5 On Extra Value Pack Options

Micromesh Tunnels
 £15.95
The Micro Mesh Tunnel Uses Fine 0.6mm Square Polyethylene Micro-mesh Material Which Is An Ideal Physical Barrier Against Weather, Birds, Insects And Minute Airborne Pests. It Protects Against Mild Frost, Heavy Rain, Wind And Hail, Whilst It Offers Plants 20% Shade And Lets Both Water And Air Circulate Freely To Encourage Strong Plant Growth.the Mesh Tunnels Are Available In 2 Sizes, Large And Giant, And Come With Strong Steel Hoops And Drawstring Ends To Make An Enclosed Cloche Tunnel.uses Fine 0.6mm Polythene Micro Mesh Materialuses Strong Steel Hoopsdrawstring Endslarge – 3m L X 45cm W X 30cm Hgiant – 3m L X 60cm W X 45cm Hsave Up To 5 On Extra Value Pack Options

Easy Net Tunnels
 £15.95
Improved Product Design Offering Protection From Birds, Insects, Rabbits And Other Pests The Fine 5mm Top Quality, High Density Polyethylene Netting Covering These Tunnels Also Provides Shading From Strong Sunlight And Acts As A Windbreak Netting. These Easy Net Tunnels Also Offer The Benefit Of Protection From Mild Frosts.new Improved Product Design Offers The Very Best In Plant Protectiondrawstring Enables Open Or Closed Ends For Ventilation Or Maximum Protectionthere Are Two Sizes Availablelarge 3m L X 45cm W X 30cm Hgiant 3m L X 60cm W X 45cm Hsave Up To 5 On Extra Value Pack Options

Insulated Pot Jackets
 £15.95
These Tough, Rot-proof, Easy To Store And Re-usable Pot Jackets Will Protect Vulnerable Roots Of Container-grown Plants From Cold And Frost Damage.secure Velcro Fastenings Hold The Jacket In Place, While A Fast-pull Drawstring Holds It Close To The Base Of The Plant. Available In Two Sizes With Extra Value Multi-buy Savings Up For Grabs, The Insulated Pot Jackets Can Be Fitted To Pots In Situwith Minimal Lifting Needed And Take Only Minutes To Fit Or Remove.large Insulated Pot Jacket Fits Pots Up To 45cm In Diameter And Measures 50cm Hx Large Insulated Pot Jacket Fits Pots Up To 65cm In Diameter And Measures 70cm Hcan Be Fitted To Pots In Situ, With Minimal Lifting Neededtake Only Minutes To Fit Or Removecan Be Used To Protect One Large Pot, Or A Group Of Smaller Potsdoesnt Become Soggy After Rain Or Snowallow Easy Access For Watering, And Let The Pot(s) Drain Freelyinsulate Plant Roots From Contact With Frozen Ground Belowwont Blow Off In Even The Strongest Windsprotect Pots Of Spring-flowering Bulbs From Freezinghelp Stop Pots Being Dried Out By Cold, Drying Winter Windsblend Easily Into The Backgroundhelp Prevent Winter Frost Shatter On Terracotta Potscan Be Used Anywhere Outdoors, And On Polytunnels Or Unheated Conservatories And Porches For Extra Protection During Severe Cold Spellsare Tough, Rot-proof, Easy To Store, And Re-usablewhen Used With Plant Jackets Provide A Complete Plant Protection Systemdouble Layer Plastic Bubble Wrap – The Same Material Used To Insulate Greenhouses In Winter- Provides A Protective Layer Around The Potjackets Can Be Fitted To Pots In Situ And Left On All Winter, As They Retain Their Insulating Properties Even In Wet Weatherideal For Protecting The Roots Of All Pot-grown Plants, Including Shrubs, Trees, Spring-flowering Bulbs, And Fruiting Plants Such As Patio Apples

High Top Hoops
 £6.45
Our Tall High Top Hoops Take Crop Protection In The Garden To A New Level; Theyve Been Designed To Marry Unprecedented Strength With Increased Height And Once Covered With Your Choice Of Material From Our Extensive Netting Range, Youll Find These 19mm Diameter, Galvanised Tubular Steel Plant Protection Hoops A Versatile Solution To Many Of Your Vegetable Growing Problems. ideal For Creating Cloches, Small Poly Tunnels And Giving Plenty Of Growing Height (over 1m In The Case Of The Larger Hoops), The High Top Crop Protection Hoops Are Available In Five Sizes And Will Span Raised Beds Or Plant Rows As Small As 48cm/19″ Wide Right Up To 168cm/66″. Use The Weather And Pest-busting Hoops In Both Raised Beds And Open Soil; Simply Push The Hoop Straight Into The Ground Or If Additional And Rigid Support Is Required (it Might Be Windy Down At The Allotment), Turn To Our Heavy-duty Steel Ground Anchors (available Separately). Anchors Are Supplied In Sets Of 2 (for A Single Hoop), 6 (for 3 Hoops) And 12 (for 6 Hoops).our New Hoop Linking Rodshave Been Designed To Add Extra Rigidity, Clipping Easily To The Hoops And Also To Add Additional Support For Netting When Creating A Cloche Tunnel.enjoy Savings Up To 11 With Our Extra Value Hoop Packs – All Sizes Of Hoops Are Available Individually Or In Sets Of 3 And 6 – Ground Anchors(available Separately) Are Sold In Pairs Or Packs Of 6 And Packs Of 12.high Top Hoops Available In 5 Different Sizesideal For All Aspects Of Gardening And Plant Protectionmanufactured From 19mm Diameter Galvanised Tubular Steeluse In Raised Beds Or In Open Soil And Plotsideal For Creating Cloches On Open Groundextra Wide High Top Shape Maximises Crop Growthall Sizes Of Hoops Available Separately Or In Extra Value 3 And 6 Hoop Packsoptional Ground Anchors Available To Give Rigid Supportdesigned And Manufactured In-housecover With Your Choice Of Netting From Our Extensive Rangehigh Top Hoops Specificationx Small Hoo

Hoop Linking Rods
 £2.45
Create The Perfect Cloche Tunnel With Extra Rigidity Between Our 19mm Hoops, And Achieve Optimum Material Tension To Avoid Sagging By Attaching Our Galvanised Steel Tube Hoop Linking Rods. fixed Into Place By Our Tough Polypropylene Push-in Clips At Each Endhey Offer A Sturdy Brace Support Between Pairs Of Hoops, And Multiple Rods Can Be Used With A Series Of Hoops By Slightly Staggering Between Alternate Hoop Pairs.for Netting We Recommend Using 2 Rods Per Span, Whereas For A Polythene Sheet Or Fleece, A Single Central Rod Is Suffice And Brings The Additional Benefit Of Helping To Prevent Pockets Forming Which Traps Rain Water.choose From 1m, 1.5m And 2m Length Rods That Can Easily Be Cut Down To Size With A Hack Saw If Required. complete Your Cloche With Our Range Of Netting, Fleece, Polythene, Hoop Clips And Ground Pegs,

Polythene Sheet
 £1.30
Polythene Sheet Is An Essential Kitchen Garden, Allotment And Vegetable Patch Accessory For The Gardener Who Wants To Offer Early And Mid Season Warmth And Protection To Plants; And When Its A Top Quality, Heavy-duty, Uv Stabilised Version You Can Be Sure It Wont Let You Or Your Plants Down. available By The Metre In Two Generous Widths (2m And 2.6m Wide), The Polythene Sheet Can Be Used To Form A Poly Tunnel Over Early Crops And Give Summer Heat-loving Crops Like Peppers Conditions They Will Thrive In. Use The Polythene Sheet With Our Crop Protection Hoops To Create A Instant Poly Tunnel Or Large Cloche.simply Select The Width You Require And Add The Number Of Metres You Would Like To The Quantity Box.polythene Sheet Is Heavy Duty And Uv Stabilised For A Long Garden Lifeideal For Creating Poly Tunnelsavailable In 2 And 2.6 Metre Widesold By The Linear Metreall Widths Rated At 100 Microns (400 Gauge) Thicknessquality Material Which Will Last Years In The Garden

Harrod Horticulture offers

Thursday, January 31st, 2013

Get your growing year off to the best possible start by taking advantage of our great discounts on these seasonal picks! Perfect for those embarking on a grow your own journey! All you have to do is quote ECODEDEAL at the checkout. Hurry! Valid whilst stocks last!

At this time of year, it’s all about fast and foolproof seed starting and our Super 7 Heated Propagator is just the thing to keep seeds and cuttings toasty when growing indoors. Now just £31.95. Click here now >

For those wishing to create a warm reception outdoors for their seedlings then look no further than our Poly Tunnel. It provides complete weather protection and will make the most of any spring sunshine to warm the soil. Now just £12.95. Click here now >

So take a look at these handy products and the special savings on some of our other favourites for the season below…

Super 7 Heated Propagator
Was £34.95 Now £31.95
Quote: ECODEDEAL

Bubble Insulated
Pot Jacket – Large size
Was £15.95 Now £12.95
Quote: ECODEDEAL

Poly Tunnel – Large size
Was £15.95 Now £12.95
Quote: ECODEDEAL

Fleece Plant Jacket
Jumbo size!
Was £20.95 Now £16.95
Quote: ECODEDEAL

Rootrainers
8cm deep x 64 cells
Was £18.95 Now £16.95
Quote: ECODEDEAL

Potato Planters & Willow Surround – Pack of 3
Was £20.85 Now £16.85
Quote: ECODEDEAL

Duo Herb Planter
15cm x 32cm
Was £9.95 Now £6.95
Quote: ECODEDEAL

GET £50 WORTH OF PLANTS FOR JUST £10

Thursday, January 31st, 2013

£50 of plants for just £10GET £50 WORTH OF PLANTS FOR JUST £10

Every gardener would like tons of colour and new plants in their garden. When budgets are tight though you really need to spend wisely. This great offer gives you some fantastic plants that will fill your borders with colour.

START DATE: Now
END DATE: Midnight Tuesday 5th February 2013 (subject to stock)

USE CODE TAS101Z

Transform your beds, borders and patio containers with this beautiful selection of summer-flowering plants. In this bumper plant collection you will receive the following varieties:
3 jumbo plugs of Clematis sieboldii – The crisp white petals and rich purple stamens of this show-stopping clematis are fantastic for transforming your walls and fences into a floral showpiece. Height: 2.5m (8′). Spread: 1m (3′) Pruning group: 3.
3 jumbo plugs of Geranium ‘Swizzle Stick’ – This striking new geranium produces an abundance of beautiful white flowers with a vivid-red, central splash over a long flowering period. Height: 30cm (12″). Spread: 25cm (10″).
3 jumbo plugs of Buddleja ‘Colour Fountain Blue’ – This buddleja is far from invasive with a neat compact growth habit that will fit nicely into your borders and containers. Height and spread: 90cm (35″).
1 Postiplug each of Petunia ‘Crazytunia Mandevilla’, ‘Pulse’ and ‘Wedgwood Blue’ – Never-before-seen patterns and colours! These compact, upright petunias offer great weather resistance, ensuring a brilliant performance in pots, beds or borders. Height: 25cm (10″). Spread: 30cm (12″).
5 Postiplugs of Fuchsia ‘Trailing Mixed’ – Fill your hanging baskets and containers with this kaleidoscope of colourful trailing fuchsias. Height: 30cm (12″). Spread: 45cm (18″).

Stewart Cloches

Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

Stewart Garden's Cloche RangeOver the past month we’ve all seen how unreliable British weather can be, see-sawing between snow, wind and heavy rainfall and unusually warm winter temperatures!

Avoid getting caught out, and have Stewart Garden’s cloches at the ready to protect your plants from adverse weather conditions.

· Available in different sizes tailored for your specific use, Stewart Garden’s cloches have a rigid and durable design, keeping both pests and the weather at bay from your plants.

· The large cloches are extendable, giving protection to areas as large as you need, and also have a controlled watering feature.

· End pieces are offered in this range for added plant security, or they could even be paired together to make a mini-cloche.

· If ventilation is of high priority for your plants, a set of cloche pegs may be used to elevate the cloches, allowing air to access them freely. Alternatively, the pegs can secure your cloches in strong winds.

Information about the cloches can be found here: http://www.stewart-garden.co.uk/18-garden-accessories

These look really useful all year round given the awful weather we had last year. Seedlings are often damaged as much by wind and rain as temperature so keeping the elements off seedlings and young plants is important too. If you use cloches you extend the growing season a little bit at each end – so if you use them during the spring don’t forget you can use them later in the year too.

Mistley allotment being closed

Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

Mistley allotment is being shut and houses will be built on the land

Prison Land to become Allotment land!

Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

Fab news =- prison land to be allotment land

Land near a Sheppey prison is to be opened up to the public so the community can grow sustainable food.

The Ministry of Justice is drawing back its boundaries in Eastchurch, making acres of space available for the benefit of people on the Island.

A plot measuring 100m by 30m is to be offered as free-to-use allotments from March 1.

A total of 18 polytunnels will also be built with each one covering 13m by 10m as well as three large greenhouses.

There will also be an area to sell fresh fruit and vegetables and a couple of storage sheds.

It is hoped 100 horticulturists will take advantage within the first year with a view to a further 400 over three years in similar projects across the Island.

Lupins

Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

Advice on growing lupins from seeds.

If you soak the seed overnight before sowing you should get a better success rate.

They will germinate at 18-20C (64-68F). Use good free draining compost and add a layer of compost of vermiculite, 3mm (1/8in) deep.
Place in a propagator or seal container inside a polythene bag until after germination, which usually takes 18-21 days.
Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm (3in) pots and place in cooler conditions. After all risk of frost, plant out 30cm (12in) apart.


Lupin ‘Tutti Frutti™’ – 1 packet (40 seeds)
 £2.99
The highest quality Lupin ever grown from seed! T&M flower breeders have done it again! Many years of breeding and selection have now given us this stunning new Lupin Tutti Frutti™. ‘ Never before has there been a Lupin with as high a quality flower spike from seed. ‘ Normally, to get this quality, you would have to buy expensive cutting raised plants. ‘ Not only has Tutti Frutti™ been bred for its many large, top quality flower spikes on each plant, but it is also first year flowering from seed. ‘ Tutti Frutti™ has also been specially selected for its mouthwatering range of attractive bicoloured flowers, in many different colour tones, many never seen before. ‘ This spectacular mixture is sure to add height, character and interest to the borders in your garden. ‘ T&M is offering a unique opportunity to grow this high quality Lupin selection at a fraction of the cost of cutting raised plants. ‘

Lupin ‘Tutti Frutti™’ – Part of the Alan Titchmarsh Collection – 1 packet (40 seeds)
 £2.99
A cottage garden classic - perfect for adding height to borders. ‘ A variety specially selected for its multiple stems with large, strong flower spikes packed with a mouth-watering colour range of bicoloured blooms. ‘ Height: 100cm (40in). ‘ Spread: 50cm (20in). ‘

Lupin ‘Morello Cherry’ – 1 packet (30 seeds)
 £2.79
The high quality, large stems of rich cherry and deep cherry keels, contrast wonderfully together. ‘ A selection made by T&M, believed to be the fastest first year flowering perennial Lupin we know. ‘ Will brighten any border. ‘ Height: 90-112cm (36-45in). ‘ CAUTION: Seeds Are Very Poisonous. ‘

Lupin ‘Band of Nobles Mixed’ – 1 packet (35 seeds)
 £2.49
With an exciting and colourful range of robust, densely packed flower spikes produced in early summer, this traditional lupin will enhance any garden scene and looks particularly at home in the cottage garden. ‘ Height: 90-120cm (3-4ft). ‘

Lupin ‘Dwarf Fairy Pink’ – Kew Collection Seeds – 1 packet (40 seeds)
 £2.09
A unique, fragrant, dwarf annual Lupin in beautiful shades of soft pink. ‘ Free flowering, bushy plants, with a delightful sweet pea fragrance in the evenings. ‘ Can be enjoyed in a sunny border or large container on the patio. ‘Height: 60-75cm (24-30in). ‘

Lupin ‘Dwarf Fairy Pink’ – 1 packet (40 seeds)
 £1.49
A unique, fragrant, dwarf annual Lupin in beautiful shades of soft pink. ‘ Free flowering, bushy plants, with a delightful sweet pea fragrance in the evenings. ‘ Can be enjoyed in a sunny border or large container on the patio. ‘ Height: 60-75cm (24-30in). ‘

Lupin ‘Sunrise’ – 1 packet (30 seeds)
 £1.49
As desirable and as lovely as any lupin could be. ‘ A tall, branching plant with white, gold, bronze and azure blue flowers rising in ascending tiers above blue-green foliage. ‘ It is excellent for cutting, fragrant and spectacular when grown in groups of five or more plants. ‘ It MUST be direct sown where it is to flower and germinates freely. ‘ Height 90-105cm (3-3½ft). ‘

Lupin ‘Silver Fleece’ – 1 packet (10 seeds)
 £1.49
A selection made from Lupinus chamissonis. ‘ Its lovely silver grey foliage will creep and cascade through other plants in borders. ‘ Unlike the original, this selection is vigorous and hardy with gorgeous blue and white stumpy flower spikes. ‘If sown early, it will flower in its first year. ‘