New item at Dobies

Strawberry Seeds – White Soul £2.79

Reduced items at Suttons Seeds

Roots & Shoots – String Tin was £12.99 now £10.99
Powder coated galvanised steel tin supplied with a ball of string, 11 x 11cm.

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GreenFingers just added these new products

Innovators Fairy Solar Light with Wind Chimes £16.99
Fairies have always added a touch of magic to any outdoor space and now with this Innovators Fairy Solar Light with Wind Chimes you

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Gardening couple shortlisted for Outstanding Contribution,

Historic England Angels Award

West Dean Gardens, Near Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 ORX

www.westdeangardens.org.uk

Image captions (L to R): West Dean Walled Kitchen Garden; Jim Buckland and Sarah Wain, Head Gardeners; a Victorian glasshouse at West Dean Grdens prior to restoration circa 1992.

Head Gardeners at West Dean, husband and wife team, Jim Buckland and Sarah Wain have been shortlisted for their Outstanding Contribution; Historic England Angels Awards 2016. West Dean Gardens are marking ‘25 Years’ since Jim and Sarah began transforming the derelict 19th century landscape in the wake of the Great Storms of 1987. In the years since 1991, they have overseen tremendous changes which have brought the 92-acre site international respect for both the quality and variety of horticultural practice. Founded by Andrew Lloyd Webber and supported by his Foundation, the Historic England Angel Awards celebrate the efforts of individuals and local groups all over the country who put hours of hard work and enthusiasm into saving derelict or damaged historic landmarks and bringing them back to life. The winners will be presented with their awards at a glittering ceremony at the Palace Theatre in London on the evening of Monday 31 October 2016.

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, said: “This year’s shortlist shows that heritage angels come in many guises and all are dedicated to saving and sharing our spectacular historic environment.”

A major project was the renovation of the 13 Victorian glasshouses. Inspired by the BBC’s Victorian Kitchen Garden (1987), Jim and Sarah’s first project was to restore the Walled Kitchen Garden to a semblance of its earlier glory, including a two-year restoration of 13 magnificent Victorian glasshouses. Designed by Foster & Pearson between 1895 and 1901, they are the jewel in the crown of the walled garden and some of the few working glasshouses in the UK.

As part of The Edward James Foundation, a charitable trust, equally important was a design that facilitated maintenance with limited resources to ensure sustainability. Jim and Sarah determined to work within the historic framework and build on its diverse characteristics, adding their own contemporary contributions as had previous generations.

Further projects over a lifetime’s work has involved the rebuild of a 300-foot Edwardian Pergola, designed by Harold Peto and in pieces on the floor after storm damage; the re-design of a Sunken Garden; establishing a fruit collection of 100 varieties of apples, including many heritage varieties; the transformation of an overgrown Spring and Woodland Garden, and rebuilding the Regency period flint bridges with much of the work being carried out in-house and the redevelopment of the 50 acres St Roches arboretum.

Jim and Sarah head up a team of seven permanent gardeners, 40 volunteers (around eight per day), including international volunteers and a Historic and Botanic Gardens Training Programme trainee. Passing on their knowledge and skills is an important element of their work. The team have undertaken everything from hard landscaping, tarmacking, metal fabrication and the vast bulk of arboricultural work, in addition to the comprehensive range of horticultural activities.

A photographic display illustrating the highlights of 25 Years of Glorious Gardening is open until the end of October in the renovated ‘mushroom shed’ at West Dean Gardens and runs until the end of October. Free entry with a ticket to West Dean Gardens

“What a beautiful garden! I came all the way from the US to see it.” Andrea Wright, New York, USA.

Visitors this summer have included travellers from India, Australia, France, Italy, Germany, Malaysia, Netherlands, Canada and America.

10% off Landscaping Bark & Play Grade Bark in bulk bags
Code: WGBARK916

Rolawn Play Grade Bark Bag (1m³ Bulk Bag – 1,000 litres approx volume when packed) £154.80
Rolawn Play Grade Bark is a quality, reddish brown, decorative, ornamental pine bark; which is ideal for use in children’s play areas. It is tested to BSEN1177:1998 regarding impact absorption. Rolawn bark mulch will inhibit weed development, improve moisture retention and act as insulation for plant roots, reducing plant loss in cold weather.

Rolawn Landscaping Bark (1m³ Bulk Bag – 1,000 litres approx volume when packed) £121.50
Rolawn Landscaping Bark is a quality multi purpose grade bark derived from forestry woodchip. It is a natural product which helps enhance the appearance of a landscaped area.

10% off Landscaping Bark & Play Grade Bark in bulk bags
Code: WGBARK916

Using bark as a mulch around fruit beds is a great idea. Good for your garden borders too. A thick layer of mulch will supress weeds and any that do grow will be easier to pull up. By covering the soil surface you prevent annual weed seeds germinating as they are not exposed to light. Your plants with established roots will love the soil protecting and extra water the mulch keeps in.

10% off Topsoil & Soil Improver at Rolawn Direct until 23/9/16
Code: WGSOIL916

Rolawn Soil Improver (1m³ Bulk Bag – 1,000 litres approx volume when packed) £122.70
Rolawn Soil Improver is a natural, peat free soil conditioner/improver. It is highly fertile and will improve soil structure, which will enhance the soil’s drainage characteristics and air and water holding capabilities, resulting in healthy plant growth.

10% off Topsoil & Soil Improver at Rolawn Direct until 23/9/16
Code: WGSOIL916

Van Meuwen just added these new lines

VegTrug™ Poppy 2 Tier Ladder – 1 x Poppy 2 Tier Ladder (Black) £49.99
The VegTrug™ Poppy 2 Tier Ladder is the ideal way to transform your empty balcony, patio or decking with its two planters in vivid colours. Suitable for both flowers and vegetables, the only tricky bit is deciding what to grow! Made from felt, each liner is capable of holding up to 16 litres of compost and has sown in membranes to ensure that soil and water stay put. The tubular frame is made from powder coated steel and can be assembled within minutes and folded away when not in use. Available in the following colours: Black, Lime Green, Purple, Blue, Red, Racing Green. Product dimensions: Width: 67cm, Depth: 47cm, Height: 85cm.

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New items today at Tooled Up

Raaco 4 Shelf Galvanised Steel Shelving Unit £96.95
The Raaco S450-31 Galvanised Shelving is easy to assemble and has 1 metre length uprights with plastic connectors allows for various build options, maximum 2 metre high construction. Very versatile, comes complete with 4 x 310mm shelves which can …

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Dobies reduced the price on these items today

Asparagus Crowns – Pacific 2000 was £17.99 now £12.99
From New Zealand berrding, this vigorous variety was voted the best in commercial grower taste tests. The consistently uniform, green spears are so tender and stringless, they can be eaten raw or sliced in salads! It’s long-lasting and highly regarded for its heavy yields and superior flavour. Mid season variety.Mouth-watering asparagus tips are still considered something of a luxury vegetable, and the supermarkets certainly price them as such! So why not grow your own? The tall foliage is extremely attractive, and the plants can be grown in a large container too! We supply one year old crowns, grown in East Anglia which can be picked the year after planting.

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Dobies has these new products today

Brachyscome Blue 6 £7.99
Masses of pretty little daisy-like flowers with contrasting yellow centres. Cascading.

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