The Gardening Guru

February Gardening

2010-02-03T09:38:00.000Z

General Jobs in the Garden

If you have finished all the major tasks, such as digging over, creating leafmould heaps etc you will not have a lot to do in February but if like most of us you are scrambling to keep up, this is your last chance before spring.

Double check the greenhouse, ensure the glass is firmly secured and replace any cracked panes etc. If you've not managed to give it a thorough clean, now is the time before it is pressed into service.

Check last year's potato bed for any volunteers (left over small potatoes) and remove them to avoid passing on disease problems and blight.

You're going to be using your pots and seed trays next, so this is a good opportunity to wash out and sterilise them so you seedlings will get off to the best possible start. If you havent got any then dont worry. They are very cheap. An unheated propogator will certainly help and for an extra £2 is worth every penny

This years potato bed will benefit from a good application of compost or rotted manure that can be forked in or rotovated in to get them away.

You can cover soil with dark plastic sheeting, fleece or cloches to warm it up for a couple of weeks before you start to sow and plant.

Plotting for profit - slug hugging & Snow business in the garden

2010-01-14T14:24:00.000Z

Plotters and profiteers

There is a class war going on in allotments. Allotment groups have hit out at private entrepreneurs attempting to make money from renting out plots to the 150,000-strong waiting list. The private New Allotment Company, for example, is renting out 100sq ft allotments for £150 each; treble the price but a third of the size of typical council plots.

Related Articles

Attack of the guerrilla garlanders. Do raised beds raise the tone? Gardening super tax

Climate change in Cumbria; annual gong show; reindeers' rights

Hort hotties, something nasty on the compost heap, gardening in the jungle

Are koi carp the devil's fish?

Matthew Appleby

Children in the garden: how to get kids interested?National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners national secretary Geoff Stokes and National Allotment Gardens Trust chairman Neil Dixon are united in their opposition to commercial profit-making allotment companies. Dixon compares them to drug dealers, making hooked gardeners pay over the odds for what they are addicted to.

But serial entrepreneur Rudi Schogger, managing director of the New Allotment Company, which aims to build 10,000 allotments by 2012, says local authority allotments are “not viable” as a business model, and that if private businesses such as his take over provision for the shortfall in allotments, councils may no longer consider themselves responsible for the service.

He says: “It is a possibility [that new private allotments] might make councils lazy. But I’m not to be held responsible for the public sector. It is up to the taxpayer to demand them or not.

“It’s nanny state stuff - I don’t understand how we arrived at the modern system. It’s a socialist system - without wanting to get into politics. That’s why we arrived at the shortages we have.”

Allotments used to be for pensioners and the poor. Now they are for the middle classes. Do you agree with the new private initiatives?

Slug huggers

I ran a pop-up garden shop in up-and-coming London suburb Brockley recently. We sold the dream ticket of secondhand books, local photo cards of Brockley in the snow, cupcakes, and slug and weedkillers. Only the chemicals failed to shift. This retail offering may sound like a health and safety nightmare, and indeed one child complained about tinfoil in their fairy cake, but the event had a lovely community feel, with a ukulele band, Santa and mulled wine on offer. We used a cute baby as bait (my idea) and gave the proceeds to charity (not my idea).

However, no-one bought any garden products. Maybe it was the time of year. Maybe the trendy Brockley-ites want to do it for free. Maybe the seeds and grow-your-own thing is now so embedded that no-one thinks they need garden chemicals any more. Maybe they are all organic and self-sufficient. But I doubt it.

Last year, sales of chemicals went up overall, perhaps because the damp brought out slugs. Do you still use weedkillers and slugkillers? Or should they be banned?

Snow business in the garden

Is there anything to do in the garden at this time of year? I say there isn’t. Gardening publications say there is. Mainly involving looking at seed catalogues and tidying your shed. I recommend taking a photo of your garden in the snow. Email pictures to gardening@telegraph.co.uk (jpeg or tiff preferred) and we'll put up a gallery of the best.

Matthew Appleby is Horticulture Week's deputy editor. Matt also edits Garden Retail magazine and writes gardening news for the Evening Standard and other daily and weekly publications. He is a keen allotment gardener and blogger

Rhs investment news

2009-12-22T18:00:00.001Z

We're in the money
The RHS's annus horribilis is almost over with the news that the gardening charity has signed up fund manager M&G (a Pru subsidiary), as its new Chelsea Flower Show sponsor. After making 80 staff redundant, seeing a one third drop in sponsorship of gardens at Chelsea in May 2009 and the surprise departure of director general Inga Grimsey, the RHS has been in disarray.
To top it off, the society had to start recruiting again as soon as redundancies were completed because more staff left than anticipated, many upset about a breakdown in communciations between management and gardeners.
Suddenly, it's all different. There's an estimated £3m from the sponsorship, big names such as Diarmuid Gavin, Andy Sturgeon (with the Telegraph garden), Tom Stuart-Smith and James Wong are designing show gardens for Chelsea 2010, and numbers of big show gardens have recovered from 14 to about 20 as sponsors emerge. And, perhaps most importantly, the media ran the Chelsea credit crunch downturn story last year. So this year, to make a story, we need a new one. So a successful Chelsea it will be.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Uk

Untidy Gardens make the best homes for wildlife

2009-12-16T17:33:00.000Z

Article posted in the Independent Online:

A detailed study of biodiversity in town and city gardens has found that they offer a vital refuge for animals and plants ? provided that those responsible for their upkeep are not too fastidious as gardeners.

It has also found that many of the preconceptions about wildlife gardening are not true. Small gardens are just as good as big gardens at attracting wildlife, suburban gardens are not always better than city gardens and non-native plants are not always harmful to native insects and birds.

Britain's 16 million gardens are a haven for hundreds of species of animals and plants that would find it impossible to survive on intensively farmed land, said Ken Thompson of Sheffield University.

"Gardens are amazingly diverse even compared to natural habitats that are good for wildlife. Gardens are more interesting on a small scale because they are so variable. All the wildlife responds to these variables," Dr Thompson said.

"Compared with an equivalent area of modern intensive farming, gardens are much, much better in terms of everything you measure, whether it is spiders, bugs or birds," he said.

"It sounds heretical, but from a biodiversity perspective most farmland would be improved by having a housing estate built on it," he told the British Science Festival.

Dr Thompson was involved in the first detailed study of the wildlife inhabiting British gardens when he and his colleagues surveyed 61 gardens in Sheffield between 1999 and 2002. They found an "astonishingly diverse" array of flora and fauna.

They also identified a range of simple measures that improved a garden's habitability for wildlife. "The top thing is to grow more big shrubs, trees and hedges," Dr Thompson said.

"These massively increase the volume of vegetation in your garden and a lot of vegetation means a lot of places to live and a lot of stuff to eat," he said.

"Don't be too tidy: don't be in a hurry to clear up everything when the garden stops flowering. Just leave a bit of stuff lying around.

"There's a mistaken belief that wildlife gardening is something special, something different, something odd and that a wildlife garden needs to be untidy, messy and not something you'd be proud of, but that's not true," Dr Thompson said.

The best gardens for wildlife needn't cost lots of money, and many of the "wildlife" products sold in garden centres are unnecessary, he said.

"Decking is a disaster. One of the findings of the Sheffield study was the very clear relationship between hard surfaces of any sort and less wildlife. It doesn't matter what it is ? as long as it's hard, it's bad," he added.

How to get a more natural garden

*Plant large shrubs and let them grow big. Shrubs and trees produce more vegetation where wildlife can live and eat.

*Allow at least some flowers to turn to seed and the lawn to grow tall. Don't be in a hurry to clear up fallen leaves.

*Create a pond for insects, frogs and toads. Think before stocking it with fish which will eat insect eggs and larvae.

*Don't illuminate your garden at night with bright lights. This will disturb many nocturnal creatures, such as moths.

*Create a compost heap ? they are miniature nature reserves in themselves. Compost also enriches the soil

UK Grandmother ordered to remove garden

2009-12-16T17:27:00.000Z

Although this isnt a gardening tip as such, it is interesting to read that we are now told to disregard our gardens in such a hopeless manner by those we trust the most. Our council leaders and those who we pay our taxes to dont seem to quite grasp the importance of gardens or gardening in general.

In one of the most bizarre policies in modern history a UK grandmother has been ordered to clear some of her shrubbery in order to make way for three council waste bins.

The article from the Mail Online reports that Mrs St John was given the waste bins as part of a council edict enforcing all residents to now house them. While many of us already possess one or two of these wheelie bins most of us also have space to hide them. Not so for Mrs St John who has a frontage of only a few metres.

When Mrs St John complained to Harlow Council's recycling officer he suggested that she make way for the bins by removing some of her shrubs and installing paving to house them on!

Now, I don't mean to be alarmist but if every household in the UK were forced to do this wouldn't it mean that they could lose nearly 5% of their gardens overnight? I'm not sure where Harlow Council think they are going with this preposterous policy but it can't be good.

Interestingly, the Mail Online received more than 260 comments on this article and have since closed their comments. While some respondents were as bemused as I am, the odd detractor fielded comments such as;

There is plenty of space for bins in that messy, overgrown plot. They could be stored safely for her and easily hidden by some shrubs. Isn't that what normal people do? Why is she making such a fuss?
and;

Hmmm, not quite the shocker as it would seem when you read on. She doesn't have to pave her garden, and she has alternatives to the 'eyesore' of the wheelie bins in her front garden- she can wheel them through her house for a start. Reading what the council said they actually seem pretty reasonable.
Hmmm....wheeling rubbish bins through the house??? I can see why this guy thought the council was being quite reasonable!

This appears to be one of those issues where the "forest" gets missed for the "trees". On one hand, the Harlow council should be applauded for their efforts in assisting a recycling program but when the only way to achieve that is to remove gardens, one has to ask where the logic is in this?

Continue to support your local garden centres and get out there and prove the importance of gardening to the UK economy and UK culture.

Should all Uk Gardens have a water feature or a fountain?

2009-12-11T16:23:00.000Z

If you are planning on adding a Garden fountain or water feature to your garden, no matter if it is big or small, you are enhancing the outdoor area by making it a tranquil retreat and an elegant focal point. Certainly, if you don’t have one already, you are probably looking on the web at the wide selection of garden fountains or water features that you could choose. Garden fountains have a long reputation as an Artistic accent as well as a enjoyable experience.

Garden fountains and water features have been used in human habitations for thousands of years. In the architecture of ancient Rome it wasn’t unusual to find garden fountains at the heart of home courtyards. Looking at the hieroglyphs found on Egyptian tombs, garden fountains and water features were also present in the ancient peoples of the Nile. Fountains were located in public squares where people washed themselves, but they also became decorative elements in private gardens. Many countries in the Orient, especially Japan, still honor the traditional formal garden with their ornate garden fountains.

The 21st Century Garden, especially in the UK, generally contains some sort of fountain or running water. That may be in the shape of a pond with a water feature or a grand fountain lit up at night. The ideas all stem back to the previous paragraph. The Romans quickly found that running water was not only a feature of stature and grandure but also a wonderful architectural eye pleaser.

Understandably, the type of UK garden fountains you choose may depend on size or shape of the space . For large gardens, you will probably want large and intricate garden fountains to suite. Smaller gardens usually implies smaller, but no less distinctive fountains. You can choose wall-mounted fountains or those sitting on freestanding bases. It is also important to note that you can purchase garden fountains in various different materials in the UK such as wood, copper, ceramic, stone, fiberglass, resins, and cast iron.
The UK climate can be harsh and that is why 99% of fountain and water feature retailers sell protected materials. The ice and snow of winter can be harsh but should not deter you from your dream as such. Just be aware that once your water feature or fountain is in place in your garden, it is important to protect it from the elements wherever possible. A good water feature or fountain should last 15 to 20 years and withstand everything the winter can throw at it. You tend to get what you pay for from a reputable garden centre in the uk

It may be an option to store a small fountain inside, but with larger or freestanding garden fountains, this option is not possible, nor should you have to. You could go out and purchase a protective cover for your water feature that would slide over your fountain. Remember that if you remove the water pump that you should make sure it is free of water.

Research into fountains has shown a relationship between the running waters of garden fountains or waterfalls and a beneficial impact on your health and well-being. Others would consider the spiritual advantages of fountains to be of importance based on the sense of peace they can induce. It is a scientific fact that running water releases negative ions that purify the air by removing dust particles and other pollutants so breathing is made easier.

If you are serious about getting garden fountains or water features, then you need to ask yourself what your likes and preferences are. Many people who buy garden fountains enjoy the do-it-yourself experience so it makes sense to find fountains that come with detailed installation guides so you’re connecting hoses and pumps correctly and, most importantly, safely. Most garden fountains and water features in the UK are easy to install and most of the modern models require just one person to put them together. Garden fountains can be a peaceful backyard accent or the centerpiece for your elegant garden design.

For more information on choosing the right garden fountain or water feature for you in the UK visit http://www.waterfeatureuk.co.uk/ or purchase from a fantastic range of both indoor and outdoor fountains visit http://www.poplartreegardencentre.co.uk/

The Pogues Shane Macgowan to star in New Gardening Show

2009-12-07T15:04:00.000Z

In what is set to be one of the most unlikely -- and indeed, original -- reality shows of recent years, the Pogues' very own pickled poet Shane MacGowan and his wife Victoria Mary Clarke are set to be the stars of their own gardening programme.

The documentary, 'Victoria and Shane Grow Their Own,' features the pair's attempts to grow their own vegetables in an effort to emulate the premise of 70s sitcom, 'The Good Life.' Reportedly inspired by America's First Lady Michelle Obama, Victoria tries to grow enough vegetables for her and Shane to live off, as well as planning a summer's end party for friends and family using their own harvest.

The biggest obstacle facing Victoria is the fact that she's no gardening expert and Shane -- gearing up for a summer tour of festivals with the Pogues as well as the usual rock'n'roll distractions -- proves to be of little or no help.

'Victoria and Shane Grow Their Own' is scheduled to be broadcast on Ireland's RTE One on Tuesday Dec. 8. Sadly, there are no plans at present to broadcast the show on outside the Emerald Isle.

UK Gardeners will have to wait for something along the lines of David Beckham and his Gardening show. In the meantime, get down to your local garden centre and support UK Green Gardening.

Leaves keep falling

2009-11-28T22:17:00.001Z

The winter is still taking it's toll on trees.try not to park your car under one otherwise the sap coming from the leaves will damage the paintwork of your car.leaves will not disintegrate quickly so best to tidy them up and bin them as soon as possible.get a brush and get those leaves moved before the heavy rains come in December and January.gardening doesn't finish when the summer ends.your garden needs care through the winter months also.don't let it ruin your life.enjoy it.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Lawn Care during the Winter

2009-11-23T09:22:00.000Z

You shouldn’t have to mow your lawn now as it will have stopped growing for the winter but there is still work to be done to keep your lawn in tip-top condition

Aeration
Aeration is as much a part of looking after your lawn at any time of the year as it is in autumn but with the weather turning more to rain it takes on a whole new dimension. Aerating your lawn is important in the months September through to April as this is when we in the United Kingdom seem to have our biggest rain fall and aeration helps the ground relinquish its hold on some of that excess water it has soaked up. Use a hand fork to aerate those parts of the lawn that look as though they are suffering from excess water.

Worms
There is a common misconception among many would-be gardeners that worms are a pest; this is not the case. Worms help to improve the nutrient content of the soil in which your lawn is growing and as such the worms are best left to their own devices. However should worm casts be visible on the lawn allow them to dry out and sweep them away.

Leaves and Debris
Keep the lawn free from leaves and debris. Falling leaves in the autumn and winter can rot quickly and bring disease to your lawn so it is advisable to rake them away as often as you can - or whenever you see a build up of leaves.

Scarification
Scarification is the procedure of pulling a rake through the grass sward to drag away any dead grass matter, roots or moss that may be festering within your lawn. Doing this one a fortnight - or more often if you can - helps reduce the chances of disease spreading into the grass. If you wait until the moss turns brown or black then it will come away from the lawn with minimal effort and minimal damage to your lawn.

As always, we have the perfect place to buy the cheapest rakes online right here in the UK

Grow your own

2009-11-23T09:15:00.000Z

Its been a bumper Autumn harvest for apples and blackberries in the garden. All over the country there have been reports of huge crops of lovely ripe fruit . This is the result of lots of lovely sunshine and rain at the right times over the summer. The cold winter also had its part to play as many fruits need low temperatures for maximum yields.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/howtogrow/fruitandvegetables/3349566/Gardening-Growing-fruit-in-Britain.html

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/article6788636.ece

As the climate gets hotter how will these fruits survive as we adapt to planting more exotic crops such as olives, kiwi fruit, almonds etc.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/oct/11/climate-change-britain-crops

Gardening Tools for Winter and Spring

2009-11-20T17:23:00.000Z

Its hard keeping your garden looking great over the winter. One of the major problems is leaves and wind blown mess. There are plenty of tools out there that will make the job of tidying up easier. Why not compost your garden waste. Its a great way to help the environment and get rid of unwanted waste. You can then reuse it in your garden as compost.

One of the chores I was particularly thinking about, was caring for your tools. Tools should always be cleaned, dried, and stored away in an orderly manner. If you have the due diligence, go one step further and wrap clean rags or towels around your tool heads before stowing away. Spring is especially a great time to prep your garden tools and have them ready, for all of your busy gardening needs, so you can “hit the dirt running”.

Take a good look at your tool inventory and their condition. Do you know where your favorite tools are? Are your tools clean, or a bit rusty? If so, deep clean and lubricate them. Do they seem dull when using, or do they still have their sharp edge? Make sure your tools are sharp, it will save you physically. Are your tool handles rough or soft to the touch? If rough, lightly sand your wood handle tools with fine sandpaper, and apply a generous amount of linseed oil with a soft cloth. If the oil absorbs quickly, reapply. Your tool handles will be as soft as velvet and a treat to work with. Properly cared for tools can last generations, and can be handed down from one generation to the next budding generation of gardeners.

It is all the same, whether it is your personal life, your home, or your garden. If you are organized and tidy, you will be much more effective, efficient, and accomplish more effortlessly. You will soon experience the rewards. There is a great quote that reinforces this message. “When you do the things you have to do when you have to do them, the day will come when you can do the things you want to do when you want to do them.”–Zig Ziglar, Author.

Gardening Gloves Review

2009-11-20T15:06:00.000Z

The creative folks at Ethel Gloves approached me, and asked if I might want to review their gloves, and ultimately share my thoughts with you. Upon accepting their offer, I was sent a complimentary pair of Ethel Gloves. It is my intention to present a fair, unbiased, and informative review for you.

I had never heard of Ethel Gloves before, but in researching their website, they are widely distributed. I like their philosophy of gloves created for women gardeners, which focus on fashion, function, and protection. Their product packaging alone was enough to woo one over, clever and beautifully designed.

My initial reaction when I put my new Ethel Gloves on was similar to wearing my winter leather car-driving gloves…classy. Instantly I felt fashionable in my garden gloves, something I’ve never experienced before. I have a small hand, and received a size small, which fit my hand nicely. The gloves come in S, M, and L. The glove conforms to your hand easily and has reinforced finger tips and palm surface for protection. An elasticized cuff, keeps your gloves comfortably in place. So fashion was good, nice fit, and many styles to choose from.

Putting on my Ethel Gloves, I started my hands-on gardening practices. I was pleasantly surprised at the great hand dexterity in holding tools, clipping plants, and best of all, creating my vintage container designs. In my designs I’m working with chop sticks, tiny spaces, intricate placing of plants, and usually without the aid of my garden gloves, but Ethel Gloves are like a second comfortable skin and worked well throughout my designs. So function, was very good.

I consider myself a bit of a “guerrilla gardener”. In one week I helped move a wood pile, trimmed and mulched over 30 rose bushes, and tended to my black berry bushes, wearing my new Ethel Gloves. For these heavy duty chores where thorns and splinters lurk, I could have used a little more protection from my Ethel Gloves. So protection was only fair. Please note, Ethel Gloves does have a specific “rose glove” available. However, we all have a wardrobe of clothes and shoes for specific activities and functions. If you are an avid gardener, why not have a wardrobe of garden gloves to choose from as well.

I would recommend this pair as my all time favourite. Easy to clean, great protection and reasonably cheap.

Plants That stop climate change

2009-11-20T12:53:00.000Z

Air pollution is an issue that few are ready to tackle. In Japan, however, Toyota is researching horticultural solutions to address this matter. They believe that certain enhanced species of plant life may contribute to improving the environment.

The Biotechnology and Afforestation division of Toyota is responsible for developing flowers that absorb air pollution. One such plant is the Kirsch Pink Shrub, related to the Cherry Sage, Salvia lamiacea, a semi-evergreen shrub with a long flowering period.

Together with Gardenia, Salvia now grows in the area surrounding the Prius car factory in Tokyo City. Both are utilized to absorb emissions from that building. By doing so, they also remove heat from the atmosphere. This lowers the surface temperature surrounding the factory, which in turn cuts down on energy requirements for cooling. In addition to Gardenia and Salvia, other plants included in the program to improve atmospheric conditions are Asteraceae chameomelum Cruz, and Heterophylla, aka Lamium lavandula Argent.

It is hoped that the plants will prove helpful in combating the “heat island effect”. This condition causes increased temperatures in cities due to buildings and infrastructure deflecting sunlight and heat. The expectation is that pollution-eating plants in city parks and streets will absorb both emissions and heat. This should result in improved atmospheric conditions for congested urban areas.

Salvia Kirsch pink is not available anywhere but in Japan and I have been unable to find data relating to its hardiness zone or growing conditions. Furthermore, there have been no other press releases about this project since October 2005. I think it’s time for Toyota to give us an update on this project.

Get pollution eating plant seeds here. Plant the seeds, water them and watch them change the world.

Grow Vegetables all year round

2009-11-20T12:20:00.000Z

Do you wish you could extend the “fresh vegetable concept” of summer throughout the year by growing your vegetables year-round. Well, you can, and it is much easier than you think. It is an age-old concept borrowed from the French, called the “potager” or literally translated “soup garden”.

In France, a potager may be very formal and considered a jewel on an estate or situated on the succinctly elaborate grounds of a chateau. A potager may also be very humble, next to a small farmhouse in the countryside, by railroad tacks in the suburbs, or in urban plots outside a nearby town. Wherever they are located or however they are designed, they have been a foundation for French food culture, and the French tradition of eating seasonal fresh foods.

A potager is a French-style kitchen garden composed mainly of seasonal vegetables and herbs. A potager may also include a few fruit trees, and even seasonal flowers. The sole purpose of a potager is to provide a year-round supply of fresh daily produce for a family or a small group of people. It is usually a small and manageable plot of 10′ x 10′, or 9′ x 12′ in size.

A potager is divided up into plots that are individually managed and rotated as the seasons unfold each year. It requires some planning, management, knowledge of your specific growing seasons, and knowledge of what you are growing, on your part to be successful with a potager.

In the UK, generally speaking, our traditional backyard vegetable garden consists of planting the garden in the spring, reaping fresh produce over the summer, and sometimes utilizing the abundance of the harvest by freezing or preserving for use over the winter, or for another time.

English, unlike the French and other Europeans, do not normally have a vegetable garden year-round. This might be changing now. One of the hottest food trends today is “growing your own vegetables”. Gardeners such as yourself, want to keep the “fresh produce concept” alive after the summer has waned. We all know that fresh strawberries out of a morning garden for breakfast, or fresh green beans harvested still warm from the sun, are a delight to the senses and incomparable.

We are also being influenced by active local organic farms supplying restaurants and farmer’s markets with new and exciting types of produce to explore and enjoy. Their underlying message is “eat locally”.

This is an introduction to the concept of the “potager”. Follow along as I discuss further the elements of the potager, how to implement a potager, how to manage, and what you might want to plant throughout the four seasons in your potager. For a related post on vegetable gardening basics at VintageGardenGal see, 7 Basic Steps of Successful Vegetable Gardening.

Do you have a potager now? You can get a great one here. This is the cheapest one I have seen and I have the exact same one. Where did you first see a potager? What is your motivation for vegetable gardening year-round?

Vote for Brambles

2009-11-18T19:10:00.000Z

You can register your vote for brambles at this years retailer of the year awards here www.cityofdurhamretailawards.co.uk/coffee.htm
By registering your vote you enter the chance of winning a Christmas tree courtesy of Poplar Tree Garden Centre.
We are giving brambles coffee shop Durham our full support.it's a great coffee shop with great food and wonderful staff that attract people from all over the North East.
Good luck Brambles Coffee Shop Durham

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

10 Ways to get more twitter followers

2009-11-17T16:04:00.001Z

This guest post is written by Kevin Rose, the founder of Digg and the cofounder of Revision3 and Pownce. Kevin, who has over 88,000 followers on Twitter (making him the second most followed after President Obama), also “bloggs” at kevinrose.com. He is an investor in Twitter.

Ten Ways To Increase Your Twitter Followers:

1.Explain to your followers what retweeting is and encourage them to retweet your links. Retweeting pushes your @username into foreign social graphs, resulting in clicks back to your profile. Track your retweets using retweetist.
2.Fill out your bio. Your latest tweets and @replies don’t mean much to someone that doesn’t know you. Your bio is the only place you have to tell people who you are. Also, your bio is displayed on Twitter’s Suggested Users page. Leaving it blank or non-descriptive doesn’t encourage people to add you.
3.As @garyvee says, “link it up.” Put links to your Twitter profile everywhere. Link it on your Digg, LinkedIn, Facebook, blog, email signature, and everywhere else you live online. Also, check out the great feedburner-like badges from TwitterCounter for your blog.
4.Tweet about your passions in life and #hash tag them. Quality content coupled with an easy way to find it never fails. If others enjoy your content, they’ll add you. Learn more about #hash tagging here.
5.Bring your twitter account into the physical world. Every time I give a talk, speak on a panel, shoot a podcast, present slides, or hand out business cards, I figure out a way to broadcast or display my twitter account.
6.Take pictures. Pictures are heavily retweeted/spread around. This one from US Airways Flight 1549 has been viewed 350,000+ times. For mobile pics use iPhone apps such as Tweetie or Twitterific, both which support on the go uploading.
7.Start a contest. @GardenCentres offered a free macbook air if he reached the #1 most followed spot. That never happened, but Jason added thousands of followers…brilliant.
8.Follow the top twitter users and watch what they tweet. Pay attention to the type of content they sent out and how they address their audiences.
9.Reply to/get involved in #hash tag memes. search.twitter.com lists the hot ‘trending topics. Look for the #hash topics and jump in on the conversation (see #4 for links to #hash instructions).
10.Track your results. TwitterCounter will show you how many new users you’re adding per day and Qwitter will email you when someone unfollows you after a tweet.

England 2018 world cup bid

2009-11-12T00:16:00.000Z

The promise of a fantastic football celebration-published on the fa website

England is already home to many top players from all over the world. The chance to see the world’s best international sides compete on English soil would create a wonderful celebration of football in a country which cares passionately about the game.

Great stadiums

Wembley Stadium is a legendary football arena – and the arch of the rebuilt venue is a famous landmark on the capital’s skyline. It is the home of football in England.

WHAT ENGLAND OFFERS

The promise of a fantastic football celebration

England is already home to many top players from all over the world. The chance to see the world’s best international sides compete on English soil would create a wonderful celebration of football in a country which cares passionately about the game.

Great stadiums

Wembley Stadium is a legendary football arena – and the arch of the rebuilt venue is a famous landmark on the capital’s skyline. It is the home of football in England.

Alongside Wembley stand other famous stadiums like The Stadium of Light, Old Trafford, St James’s Park, the Emirates and the City of Manchester Stadium, all with their own unique atmosphere. Each provides top-quality facilities and the experience of hosting big matches every week. You can help pick which cities host matches by choosing here .

Excellent national infrastructure

The nation’s infrastructure of road, rail and air travel complements a unique blend of accommodation, from boutique hotels to country pubs.

Air services directly connect England to 185 airports in World Cup qualifying countries.

A warm welcome – for everyone

The warmth of the welcome is guaranteed, as is the chance to explore England, with historical and cultural attractions throughout the land.

The diversity of England’s communities means that overseas visitors will have a home-from-home, with the tournament providing the chance for extended families to re-unite.

Each of the 31 visiting teams is assured of noisy support from fellow countrymen who have settled in England, backed by a football-hungry public drawn to the greatest tournament on earth.

A spectacular experience for FIFA, broadcasters and sponsors

Based on the worldwide appetite for English football, whether at domestic or international levels, we already understand the needs of commercial partners.

It means FIFA would be plugging into football infrastructure which is among the best in the world. Grounds and training facilities such as the Sunderland stadium of light – meaning England can confidently focus on taking the World Cup experience to a new level.

The FA Cup and Premier League testify to English football’s worldwide scope. The FA Cup Final is currently shown in 287 territories and the Premier League in 211.

A boost for global football development

Football in England already has an established reputation for assisting the development of football around the world. Both The FA and the Premier League have extensive international relations programmes, offering training in all aspects of football to nations in every continent.

A World Cup held in England will boost this work and widen its scope says the fa website.we just hope for the sake of the entire country that the fa look outside of London for host stadia.places like the stadium of light in Sunderland must be at the forefront of their plans. A world cup bid must share the wealth,prosperity and job opportunities to all four corners of the uk in 2018 and not follow in the footsteps of englands doomed 2012 Olympic budget nightmare and stripping of lottery funding in northern cities and towns.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Pond cleaning pelets-Market Tablets brands

2009-11-11T23:57:00.000Z

Ponds are back on fashion-fact.ponds can be expensive to clean-fact. Pond food can cost a fortune-fact.not any more according to leading experts at nikishoi,one of the worlds best selling pond suppliment and food suppliers. The only trouble is, finding where to get your hands on the best pond cleaning tablets in town.

Nishikoi pond cleaner. Goodbye Blanket Weed Bulk Pack from Nishikoi is both effective for your pond and your pocket! The 100% natural way to clear your pond. Clear blanket weed from your garden pond, Goodbye blanket weed pond cleaner involves no mess and no measuring - you simply drop one water-soluble sachet into your pond or filter once a week.
Nishikoi pond cleaner Blanket weed is the biggest problem faced by most pond keepers. It will quickly cover your pond in a green slime, not only spoiling the look of your pond but also blocking your filter or pump.
How Goodbye Blanket Weed pond cleaner works - a unique, patented bio-product that contains friendly bacteria and enzymes which eat the food that blanket weed lives on.
Includes activated barley straw - a traditional way of treating blanket weed, by including activated barley straw within Goodbye Blanket Weed the speed at which the blanket week clears is increased.
Contains 32 sachets, each holding 25g of treatment. Each sachet will treat up to 1000 gallons.
From time to time your pond or water feature can become dirty or grimy. Nishikoi Pond Cleaning products are the best on the market, and will ensure that your pond or water feature will look cleaner than ever.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Expert gardening advice

2009-11-10T19:25:00.000Z

Poplar tree garden centre are offering free lifetime subscription to their gardening e-magazine.The magazine consists of expert gardening advice from gardening experts in the uk and incudes up to date information, articles, helpful tips, money saving ideas and ways to make your garden look amazing without spending a fortune.The magazine signup box is located in the top right hand corner of this page http://www.poplartreegardencentre.co.uk/ and is emailed to you periodically throughout the year. What better free way to ensure your garden looks fabulous all year round.

Also,if you subscribe online before the end of 2009 to poplar tree garden centre uk newsletter and free gardening advice magazine,they will offer everyone special discount codes for online purchases to stores in the uk worth upto %50 off chosen products.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Choosing the right Christmas or birthday gift

2009-11-08T20:10:00.002Z

Is it Christmas time, or a different holiday, and you are having trouble thinking of a good gift to give to your boss? Maybe it's for another employee or just someone you don't know well enough to know what they like. Here's some help to find that perfect gift.

Think about what you know about your boss. Do they enjoy any particular activities, like sports cars, certain activities, are they a geek, a true fan of certain shows or movies? Hopefully you've had enough water-cooler conversations with them to know the answer to some of those questions. This will help you form even the smallest personality profile on them and then you can start brainstorming on what types of things they will like.
Decide how much you want to spend. If it's not much (£10 or less), ask some of your co-workers if they want to chip in.
Gather up store ads in the newspaper or a generic website and browse through them to get ideas. With their interests in mind and a set budget, you should find something that they will enjoy.

You can buy one of those pre-made gift baskets or even better, cheaper and much more thoughtful is to gather items separately and create your own custom gift-basket. This way you can truly personalize the basket and buy items you know they will not only like, but truly love (i.e. their favorite candy/beverage/snack).
If you absolutely can't think of a gift, write a meaningful card, don't just sign it. Say something you truly mean (i.e. I really enjoy our meetings, you make me smile when you talk about your children, or thank you for your understanding when I was out sick for 4 days).
Consumable or disposable items work well since the person wont feel like the gift is 'just taking up space.'
Buying every day items with a little twist will brighten his day (a personalized mug, those neon post-it notes instead of the boring yellow ones, etc.).
If you are still uncertain as to what to buy, ask a more sensitive worker or one closer to your boss. He or she will be more attuned as to what your boss would enjoy.
Find out what store they really like spending money at and buy them a gift card. Again, if your budget is not impressive, ask your co-workers to join.

Article taken from Wikihow

-- Posted from my iPhone

5 portions of fruit and veg a day keeps colds away

2009-11-08T19:59:00.000Z

Please don't forget over the Christmas period how important it is to maintain your five portions of fruit and veg each day.Experts agree that 5 portions of fruit or veg,along with regular excercise and a healthy diet,can go a long way to preventing diseases and provides the body with essential nutrients to help prevent common colds and maintains a healthy immune system.

They also taste great!

-- Posted from my iPhone

Christmas lights

2009-11-07T01:58:00.001Z

Seeing Christmas lights hanging up in windows in october and november is a little scary but becoming a common theme as we head into the new decade.

As a christmas lover, Why does everyone want static Christmas lights this year rather than multiple functional coloured Christmas lights? Icicle Christmas lights are this years best selling Christmas lights of 2009.so here's how to get them on the cheap.
http://www.poplartreegardencentre.co.uk/christmas-lights/

Ways to survive in 2010

2009-11-03T16:42:00.004Z

Today we’re going to look at five ways you can engage your customers in 2010. One of the real benefits for brands of using social media or of building an online community, is that it can build sustainable engagement with your customers. Here are five ways to get this engagement.

1. Be active about asking your customers for their opinion
Too often firms don’t ask customers what they think. They may give ways for them to contact the brand, tell them their opinions or call them with compliments or complaints. But this is all very passive. Brands need to be actively asking their customers what they think. You need to go to them, not the other way round. For the customer, being asked what they think makes them feel special, part of our organisation and valued. A simple task such as calling your ten top clients in the first week in January will give you new insights into what you are doing right (and wrong) and will make ten more loyal customers. You then need to think about how you do this long term and on a much larger basis.

2. Make it easy for customers to complain
For an example of a good feedback form, visit www.poplartreegardencentre.co.uk who consider their customers feedback essential in survival and development of their online business and garden centre as a whole.There are many ways that customers can raise their complaints about you and your products. They can tell you directly, post their thoughts on their blog, write to a newspaper, talk to all their friends…the options are endless. As a brand you should be able to feel in control of these complaints. Nobody likes to hear that their customers are unhappy, but it is much better for them to do this in a space where you have right or reply and you can even learn from these complaints. If you don’t provide a way for people to complain they will still do it, except you won’t know where and won’t be able to respond.

3. When you ask your customers something, make sure you respond
There’s nothing worse than being asked for your opinion and then not hearing what people think about it or if they are going to do anything having heard it. When you ask customers questions, or ask them to complain you must respond. Closing the feedback loop will make them feel valued and make them realise that you are actually listening to what they are saying. This will encourage them to continue to engage with you and, by knowing what and how you think, it will make their contributions more focused and productive from your perspective.

4. Deal with customers in public
Only some of your customers are going to want to talk to you and give you their opinions, and an even smaller proportion are going to want to complain. But all of your customers will want to know that you are an organisation that listens and responds. They want to know that if they were to have an idea or some feedback, that you would take it on board; and if they were to have a complaint that you would deal with it. There is a huge benefit to engaging with your customers openly and in public. If they can see you resolving a customers problem they will have greater respect for you as a business that cares about it’s customers. If they see you giving feedback they will know that you’re an organisation that listens to and focuses on the needs of its customers. Respond, and respond publicly; this is where an online community can really pay dividends.

5. Realise that engagement is not a campaign
Unlike other activities, engaging your customers cannot be run as a campaign. It is not about creating a number of advocates for a product launch or about having a conversation with some of your customers for two months. Engagement needs to be ongoing; sustained and sustainable. Once you start to listen to and close the feedback with your customers you must keep doing this. Of course, the benefits you get will be vast and wide-ranging, so most brands won’t want to stop engaging!

Twitter - Using Twitter can increase sales

2009-11-03T12:56:00.004Z

This week has seen Twitter launch Twitter 101; a guide for businesses of how to use Twitter. We’ve looked before at how organisations can use Twitter, and this guide covers the basics as well as showcasing a few cases studies of what some businesses are doing.

The guide itself is part a how-to guide, part an explanation of what Twitter is and part a set of ideas and examples. The fundamental recommendations from Twitter can be summarised in four simple steps

1.Listen to what people are saying about your brand on Twitter
2.Set up your own presence and be honest about who you are
3.Follow people that are relevant to you
4.Respond to discussions about your brand and business
This approach of listening first is a great way of starting to develop a strategy of how your business should use Twitter. Once you know what people are saying about you, what issues they are discussing and what problems they raise, you will know what kind of responses might be expected of you when you get to stage 4. But I would suggest an additional stage that builds on this information. Getting your strategy right.

There is a strong argument for brands being on Twitter. Experimenting and finding out what works for you. However, you will get most success if you take a step back first and think why you are doing this. What are your business aims and what do you hope to achieve. How will you measure your success and evaluate if you are getting out of your use of Twitter what you hoped?

This needn’t be a lengthy and complex process but it is one worth doing. It helps to focus what you are doing and gives the use of Twitter a real focus and direction. Different businesses will be in different situations, with different business needs and different strategic aims. Think about where you are and where you want to go and then brainstorm how you might use Twitter to help you get there.

Innovation is great and social media is a fantastic medium through which to innovate. But a little bit of focus and strategy will help turn this innovation into something that you can evaluate. Something that you can assess and something that you can improve on.

Only if you think about what you want to achieve will you really be able to measure what you have done and the success it has brought your business. Then you’ll be able to add to the great case studies from the likes of Dell and Pepsi that are listed in Twitter 101.

Article Quoted from the Fresh Network Blogs

Hand painted glasswear

2009-11-02T20:46:00.003Z

It's all about saving money this Christmas.I'm going to provide you with some great money saving ideas and gifts that look great but won't break the bank.

1. Hand painted decorative glasswear that has featured on television shows such as this morning.

These glasses make not only great Christmas presents but also wonderful collectables.

Hand Painted and Decorative Painting on Glass, Glassware, Wedding Flutes and Glasses, Piggy Banks, Windchimes, Collectible Salt and Pepper Shakers, Collectible Plates and Tinware in English Country, French Country, Shabby Chic and Country Craft Design

-- Posted from my iPhone

Poplar Tree Garden Centre | Glasses Lolita Glassware

2009-11-02T17:26:00.001Z

Poplar Tree Garden Centre Glasses Lolita Glassware

You can find some wonderful hand painted glass here that will make the perfect gift for Christmas.

How to Install Water Features & Fountains

2009-11-02T17:22:00.001Z

Great Blog on how to install water features and fountains can be found here. I hope it helps many of you to choose the right water feature that will suit your needs. How to Install Water Features & Fountains

Garden Furniure

2009-11-02T17:15:00.003Z

As summer comes and you are ready to enjoy the great outdoors, or at least your back porch, you may notice that your patio furniture is not as bright and attractive as it once was. The sun, wind, and dust that your patio furniture is exposed to on a daily basis do quite a number on its looks. If you are looking to learn how to clean patio furniture, here are some tips you should know.

Cleaning Resin or Plastic Patio Furniture

To clean resin or plastic patio furniture that is light in color, make a solution that includes 1-gallon of warm water, ¾-cup of bleach, and 1-tablespoon of laundry soap. If there is any coloring on the furniture, test a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure it will not damage the color. If the color brightens but does not become discolored, you can clean the entire piece.

Use the solution and a scrub brush with soft bristles to clean the entire piece. Then, leave the water solution on the furniture for around 15 minutes. Then rinse it thoroughly.

If the furniture is colored, use a solution made out of 1-gallon of warm water and 1-tablespoon of all-purpose cleaner. This eliminates the bleach, which can damage the coloration of the colored furniture. Again, after washing let the solution set on the furniture for around 10 to 15 minutes and rinse completely.

Unfinished Wood Patio Furniture

Unfinished wood furniture is really abused by the elements. One problem you face when cleaning unfinished wood is the fact that it tends to absorb excess water, which can cause it to warp or crack. To avoid this problem, make a solution out of a gallon of water, 1 cup of ammonia, and ½ cup of vinegar. Scrub down your wood furniture with this solution, and then rinse it completely. After rinsing, use towels to take up any excess water.

Cleaning Patio Furniture Cushions

The cushions on your patio furniture are probably one of the most likely items to need a good cleaning. Most patio furniture pillows and cushions are washable, but check the label before you attempt washing them. If they are, wash them with soapy water and a sponge. Make sure that you rinse them well and wipe them as dry as you can.

Cleaning a Patio Umbrella

Patio umbrellas often grow mold. This happens because they get wet and then sit closed in the warm weather, making a moist, warm environment for mold to grow in. Not only is mold unsightly, but it is also a health hazard, so you need to deal with it.

To clean the mold off of a patio umbrella, make a solution with 1-gallon warm water, a squirt of liquid dish detergent, and ¾-cup of bleach. Test the color first on the inside of the umbrella. If it reacts well to the bleach, open the umbrella, don some rubber gloves, and scrub the umbrella using the solution and a brush with soft bristles. As soon as you are done, rinse the umbrella. If you find that the solution fades the colors on the umbrella, look on the tag to see what cleaning agents you can use. Always let the umbrella dry completely before you close it, as this can cause new mold to develop.

Aluminum Patio Furniture

To clean aluminum furniture, scrub the piece down with a plastic scrubber or steel wool using dish detergent. Put in plenty of elbow grease to make sure you get it good and clean. Rinse the furniture completely to remove all of the soap.

If the furniture is baked on aluminum, use a sponge instead of the plastic scrubber. Soak it with the dishwashing detergent. Work the sponge and the cleaner into the outdoor furniture and rinse. Dry it using a cloth and then finish with some car wax. Make sure the car wax does not get on the fabric or webbing on the piece of furniture. This will preserve the finish the furniture.
The staff at Patio Furniture London Ontario would like to invite you to visit one of our locations to experience our approach to Casual Living and Complete Customer Satisfaction.

Twitter 101 – a guide to Twitter for business

2009-11-02T17:12:00.001Z

Twitter 101 – a guide to Twitter for business

Twitter Apple Info

2009-11-02T17:11:00.000Z

Twitter Apple Info

Other Gardening Advice Blogs

2009-11-02T17:03:00.003Z

Here is another great gardening advice blog that I have come accross. Please dont ever think I dont like to try and help you guys out of this recession. This blog will provide you with loads of money saving ideas and ways to save money in the run up to Christmas on both Christmas gifts and general advice on the best way to look after your garden. http://www.mysod.co.uk/ Great gardening advice as well as money saving advice. Any feedback on this site would be greatly appreciated.

Making Compost

2008-09-27T16:34:00.003+01:00

It’s not rubbish, it’s renewable. Why throw your kitchen scraps in the bin when you could be using them to make your garden more lovely and attractive to wildlife?

A compost heap makes a delicious refuge. Larger mammals come to root around for old fruit, hedgehogs to eat the slugs, and reptiles and amphibians love the warmth it generates. It’s also a great way to attract the elusive slow worm.

Ideally site your compost bin in a reasonably sunny site on bare soil. If you have to put your compost bin on concrete, tarmac or patio slabs ensure there’s a layer of paper and twigs or existing compost on the bottom. Choose a place where you can easily add ingredients to the bin and get the compost out.

Have a container available such as a kitchen caddy or old ice cream tub. Fill your compost caddy or container with everything from vegetable and fruit peelings to teabags, toilet roll tubes, cereal boxes and eggshells. Take care not to compost cooked food, meat or fish.

Empty your compost caddy along with your garden waste into your compost bin. A 50/50 mix of greens and browns (see pages 6 and 7) is the perfect recipe for good compost.

It takes between nine and twelve months for your compost to become ready for use, so now all you need to do is wait and let nature do the work. Keep on adding greens and browns to top up your compost.

Once your compost has turned into a crumbly, dark material, resembling thick, moist soil and gives off an earthy, fresh aroma, you know it’s ready to use. Lift the bin slightly or open the hatch at the bottom and scoop out the fresh compost with a garden fork, spade or trowel.

Don’t worry if your compost looks a little lumpy with twigs and bits of eggshell – this is perfectly normal. Use it to enrich borders and vegetable patches, plant up patio containers or feed the lawn.

Types of compost heap

A literal heap – a loose pile – is good for animals that might like to burrow into it, such as hedgehogs and toads.
A dustbin-style compost bin is good for worms and invertebrates but larger animals won’t be able to find a way in.
Make a traditional boxed compost heap with planks, posts and chicken wire.
A compost heap with several chambers is ideal. Once you’ve filled one section with scraps, you can leave it to rot while you put fresh waste into another. If you don’t have space, try to build in access to the bottom of the pile with a door, so you can use the old stuff while you’re adding to the top.
Avoid chemical activators. They can be poisonous to wildlife.
Autumn leaves are good for the heap.
Compost needs to be damp to keep it decomposing, but not soggy-wet. Sunlight should stop it from going slimy.

How to Prune safely and effectively

2008-09-27T16:10:00.006+01:00

Whether they are grown in a pair of sleek galvanised steel containers outside your front door or planted among perennials in a border, box topiary shapes are among the most useful plants in the garden, providing structure, texture and all year round colour.

Although box balls, cones, cubes, pyramids, domes, spirals and a menagerie of animal shapes are among the trendiest things you can grow, they quickly lose their appeal when a crisp outline is lost beneath a shaggy coat of new growth. The answer: give plants a trim in June.

When to prune

Box will burst into life in March and lots of lime-coloured shoots will soon conceal the dark green shape beneath. Although you'll be itching to prune shoots back as soon as possible, don't.

Trimming young, sappy growth in the spring is likely to bruise the foliage, leaving you with a topiary shape that is unsightly. It is best to prune in mid-June, when the leaves are hard and leathery, and again in late summer if necessary. Don't worry if you did prune in the spring, the bruising will be eventually hidden by the subsequent flush of growth.

How to prune

It's possible to trim simple shapes - such as cones and balls - by eye, but for greater accuracy use a garden cane as a cutting guide for straight edges or make a template.

To prune balls, take a length of garden wire and twist it into a circular shape that can be held and moved over the plant as you prune. To ensure you are left with a perfect sphere, make the frame smaller than the mass of foliage.

Restore a cone shape by standing above the plant and pruning in an outward direction from the centre, working around the plant with an easy to handle set of secateurs. Alternatively, rest three canes on the sides of the cone and push into the ground. Secure the canes at the top to make a wigwam and bind the sides together with garden wire. Use your shears to prune to this framework.

Topiary spirals may look complicated, but it is easy to re-establish an overgrown specimen. Working from top to bottom with your secateurs, prune the upper surface of the spiral making sure you remove the foliage as far back as the main stem. Next, trim the upper and then the lower turn of the spiral to create its curved edges.

With practice, pruning topiary is a doddle. For the greatest success use a pair of hand held trimmers to leave a lovely clean finish, and regularly step back to double check your progress - unfortunately, if you make a mistake there's no turning back.

Pruning a Deciduous Shrub - Deciduous shrubs such as Forsythia (Yellow Bell's), are those that lose their foliage during the winter season and have a unique ability to renew themselves almost indefinitely. Some of these shrubs growing in the eastern part of the country are alive and healthy after more than a century, yet these plants don't appear to be to be more than five years old. The secret is proper pruning. Each year a deciduous shrub produces many shoots from the plants base or roots. Wait to begin pruning deciduous shrubs until they are three years old. The best time to prune deciduous shrubs that do not bloom in Spring is late winter. Wait to prune shrubs that flower in Spring until after they bloom. The goal is to remove all but 1/3 of the plants shoots. Below is a basic guidline for pruning deciduous shrubs.

Laying Turf

2008-09-24T20:37:00.005+01:00

The key to successfully laying turf is using the right tools and planning carefully.

The best times to lay turf are between March-June and September-November.

Prior to the selected turfing contractor doing the job have a good look at the area in which the turf will be situated.

When planning where to lay the turf try and leave a border near fences and walls as it is hard to cut the lawn there.

Is it a jungle? Weeds will need treating several weeks before the lawn is laid with a good biodegradable weedkiller. One that will kill the root as well as the leaves such as Roundup or Tumbleweed. I know from experience that thistles in particular are a real pain when it comes to coming through the turf. Before the lawn is down you have an opportunity to get rid of them - take it! Or else you will be continuously standing on them with your bare feet as you admire your garden on a cool summers evening. Not the best thing. Have a look on the product label to see when it will be safe to lay the turf after the ground has been treated. If in doubt ask at your local garden centre.

Ground preparation for turf

Is it a building site? Your contractor should make sure that any rubble is raked off the surface of the ground prior to any turf being laid. Loose stones and building rubble will prevent the turves roots from making contact with the soil and could make the turf die in patches.

The topsoil should then be thoroughly rotivated down to about the first 6 inches to aerate it properly. It is then raked level and gently treaded down (not whacked with a spade as I have seen on Rogue Traders!)

Turf arrives!

Your contractor will probably have ordered 5% more turf than needed, this is normal and should be included in the quote as this excess will be lost when then lawn is laid and trimmed.

Apart from exceptional circumstances the turf should arrive the same day it is to be laid. From the moment it is dug up on the 'turf farm' until 4 weeks after it is laid in your garden there is a constant battle to keep it moist enough. Failure to do means it will suffer and may die. Therefore, sitting rolled up on your drive or in the back of a truck all night is bad. If its impossible to lay the turf on the same day then it should be rolled out on your driveway (not your prepared surface) and watered to keep it moist.

Laying the turf

Start by laying the first turf down the longest straight edge. Butt and fold the neighbouring turf next to it knowing that there will be some shrinkage and if you try and stretch the turfing at this stage you will end up with some gaps when it is bedded in.

The turf should be firmly but carefully tapped down using the back of a spade to ensure that the roots and the soil are in good contact.

If there is an obvious dip in the profile add or remove soil as necessary.

Avoid using odd small sections of turf near the edges of the lawn as these will dry out faster than you can water them and probably die.

After laying the first row, place a plank on the turf and use it to carry the next row of turf to the bare areas of soil. Do not walk on the turf or soil whilst you are laying it as it can be damaged.

Stagger the joints of the turf whilst laying; as you see bricks in a wall.

Once finished the edges can be trimmed. The correct tool being a half-moon spade.

During the first four weeks the lawn should be watered constantly. The first watering should soak the cultivated layer of top soil the turf is laid on. This is very important, as until the root system binds with the soil the turf will lose moisture at an alarming rate and can die quite rapidly if abused.

Avoid excessive walking on the turf especially at the early stages and after about two weeks give the lawn its first cut. Use Turf tracks wherever possible to minimise damage to the turf. Try and cut about one quarter of the length of the grass during each trim at this stage, progressively taking more off as the lawn matures. Just think that a grass plant partly lives via photosynthesis through its blade and chopping all of that off will severely injure or kill the plant and hence your lawn. At best it will go a very unattractive yellow for a few days. A sign that you need to get the lawnmower out more often.

Regular cutting of the grass also tends to reduce the number of weeds that grow in the lawn. Also, take note that trimming a little and often, combined with a Lawn Fertiliser. applied twice a year is the difference between having something that looks like a park football pitch and a bowling green.

Finding safe, clean and easy passage in the garden is not always easy! With the Garden Track, it is possible to create an instant, robust and weatherproof walkway in seconds. The Garden Track consists of 24 panels, connected by sturdy link pins, to create a 3 metre long path. It allows for easy passage over muddy terrain or gravel, while the snaking action adapts easily to uneven ground. The Garden Track is particularly useful at preventing lawn damage caused by regular and repeated foot traffic. Examples can be found in routes to and from vegetable beds, compost bins and washing lines. The Garden Track will also be of real use to campers and caravanners, as well as offering a useful access solution to wheelchair users, when negotiating problem surfaces such as wet ground and gravel. One time, self assembly is required but this takes a matter of minutes and no tools are required. Once assembled, the unit packs flat for easy storage. Each Garden Track can be extended to provide a longer pathway using the additional link pins provided. Each Garden Track panel is made from recycled polypropylene, while the link clips are in nylon. Dimensions - 303cm (l) x 39cm (w) x 2cm (h)

Rodent Repellent

2008-09-24T20:26:00.002+01:00

Voles, mice and rabbit damage can be detrimental to trees and shrubs. Subsurface damage is often caused by voles, which feed on the roots and bark of trees and shrubs. Mice feed on saplings and shrubs below the snow and within the grass layer. Rabbits assault bark and tender buds on areas higher up than the reach of voles and mice.

There are several management options available to you as a gardener:

Use protection - Protect trunks by placing a cylinder of ¼” (or smaller) mesh, hardware cloth. Or put plastic drainpipe around the trunk. The guards should extend two inches below the soil line (as long as they don’t damage roots). Place 18- 24 inches above the anticipated snow line. Guards should be removed or reinstalled each spring to prevent girdling.

Repellants -The most effective repellants for rodents contain thiram, a fungicide that is distasteful, yet unharmful, to rodents. Thiram is a water-soluble spray or paint. Apply it with a surfactant. One application is usually enough for the entire dormant season. Apply multiple applications during the growing season.

Habitat modification - Discourage rodents by reducing grasses and other vegetation that pests use for cover from predators. Mow or chemically control grasses within a 4′ diameter circle around trees. Also, discourage rabbits by reducing vegetative cover, brush piles and other hiding places.

Other - Hunting and trapping, although labor intensive, can be effective. However, mice and vole populations usually don’t respond well to trapping or other extermination, such as rodenticides. High reproductive rates draw in pests from surrounding areas. They take advantage of abundant food and habitat following local extermination. Fumigants and electromagnetic or ultrasonic devices are not effective for long-term control of rodents.

Growers are advised to protect their perennials from damage caused by rodents now that winter is near. Small animals will invade overwintering structures, eat most perennials and burrow into pots if given the chance. The most likely critter to cause havoc is the meadow vole. The head and body of meadow voles measure 3 to 5″ long and the tail is 1½ to 2½” long. They have brown body hairs mixed with black guard hairs; belly hairs tipped gray and small eyes and ears. Meadow voles are active day and night, year-round. They do not hibernate. They feed all winter long on tubers, bulbs, rhizomes, stems, roots, and seeds and occasionally on insects and animal remains. Meadow voles construct many tunnels and surface runways with numerous burrow entrances. These surface runways are the most easily identifiable sign of voles. By the time the runways are noticed, damage is usually done. Voles are prolific breeders. They may breed throughout the year, but most commonly in spring and summer.

To identify animals responsible for damaged plants in your overwintering greenhouses, try using signs. One way is to place some non-toxic bait such as apples out in a problem area and see what kind of damage is done to that bait. The culprit can be identified by the excrement that is left behind. Another way to identify the animal is to capture one, using a small live trap or a mouse snap trap. Good baits include peanut butter-oatmeal mixture or apple slices. Once the animal is identified, control measures can be taken. It should be noted that voles are capable of carrying diseases that affect humans, so be careful and use protective clothing when handling voles.

The first step to prevent damage caused by rodents is to deny them access to your overwintering greenhouses. Make them rodent tight. Use fine mesh screen wire such as hardware cloth around the perimeter of the greenhouse. Bury it under ground and bend it outward at a 90 angle leaving it at least 6″ deep.

Next, mow and clean up the natural vegetation close around the greenhouses to eliminate protected areas for rodents. Most of our wildlife animals will not venture across a wide-open space because they are much more vulnerable to natural predators.

Trapping is not effective for controlling large vole populations, but can be used to control small populations. Place mouse snap traps containing bait perpendicular to the runways.

The most effective repellent many say is The Yeoman Plug-in Rodent Repellerwhich emits 2 kinds of electronic waves: electro magnetic waves and ultrasonic waves which rodents find unpleasant. Inaudiable by humans and domestic pets (dogs, cats and fish), these electronic waves encourage the rodents to move out of the vicinity.

Chemical repellants are available that can be used on plants. Some repel by giving off an offensive odor and others are taste repellants. These products reportedly work for a number of animal pests. Some of these products may not be persistent and some are easily washed off and need to be reapplied.

Finally, when all else fails, there are toxic baits that are effective for reducing the population. One of the most effective and common baits is zinc phosphide treated, cracked corn, or oats. It is a single-dose toxicant available in pelleted and grain bait formulations and as a concentrate. Anti-coagulant baits are also effective in controlling voles. Anticoagulants are slow acting toxicants requiring from 5-15 days to take effect. Multiple feedings are needed for most anti-coagulants to be effective. Toxic baits can be harmful to children, pets and wildlife and should be used with utmost caution. Read and carefully follow the directions and safety precautions on the label of any of these products.

2008-09-23T18:29:00.002+01:00

There are three generally accepted definitions of an herb. Botanically, herbs are non-woody annual, biennial, and perennial plants that die back each year after blossoming. Another definition describes them as any of the herbaceous plants valued for their flavour, fragrance, or medicinal properties. The third is actually not a definition but a distinction between the culinary herbs and spices.
The botanical definition includes many plants that we ordinarily think of as weeds (and even eliminate from the garden when they appear) and therefore never cultivate as we do marjoram or sage. Many vegetables and ornamental garden plants also fit this description, but they are not usually thought of as herbs. Excluded by the definition are a number of shrubby and woody plants such as laurel and rosemary, which for centuries have been two of the most distinguished herbs.
In cooking, a distinction is made between spices and herbs. Spices usually are considered to be derived from the roots, bark, fruit, or berries of perennial plants such as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and pepper; herbs are the leaves only of low growing shrubs and herbaceous plants such as basil, rosemary, and thyme. There are several plants, however - such as some of the roses - which are included in herb listings even though their fruit (rose hips) is used.
The most important thing to remember when growing herbs is that they are the foundation of all modern medicine. They are not the gentle namby-pamby things some would like you to think. They are healers, therefore they should be treated with respect, and if you are considering them for specific medicinal use always consult a doctor or qualified herbalist. If you are growing herbs for use in the kitchen then you need to learn about their flavour and how they can aid digestion.
Herbs, in most cases, are tough wild plants which, when spoilt by the lush conditions of a garden, will thrive and romp away. It’s a myth that all herbs like full sun, even good old basil likes partial shade at midday. So when planning your garden, you can divide your plants into two sections, those like thyme, sage, rosemary, french tarragon and oregano that like full sun; and those that like partial shade, such as rocket, sorrel, mizuna, mustard, parsley and chervil.
You can get a great kitchen herb set from your local garden centre. If I had to choose some ‘must haves’ to put in a window box on the sunny side of the house I would include chives, oregano, lemon thyme and a creeping rosemary to drape over the edge. However, on the shady side of the house I would have a salad herb window box which would include wild rocket, chervil, French parsley and red mustard.
Light – herbs require as much light as possible and some (such as coriander and basil) require some direct sunlight. It’s important to avoid extremes, however, and a fair amount of shade is necessary. Try to opt for a happy medium of light, such as full sun in the morning and partial shade in the afternoon when temperatures increase (if the herbs get too hot they can wither and run to seed).
Water – don’t over-water your herbs but don’t under-water them either. Wait until the top of the soil feels dry before adding more. If you grow your herbs in the garden they will need watering less often. If you grow them in containers you may need to water them every day in the height of summer. Always ensure good drainage. Line the base of containers with stones or grit. Add organic matter (such as well-rotted animal manure or homemade compost) and grit to heavy soil in herb beds to allow excess water to drain away.
Soil – the ideal soil should be fertile and free draining. If you have a sandy soil, add plenty of organic matter such as well-rotted animal manure or homemade compost. This will help bind the large soil particles and retain water. Conversely, adding organic matter will help break apart fine soil particles in heavy clay soils and will help water drain away. Organic matter is rich in nutrients and will help boost the fertility of the soil, helping your herbs to grow better.
When growing herbs in containers, I have two important tips. The first is to use a soil-based compost, either organic or something like John Innes potting compost. This is because there are very few herbs that grow in peat, and a soil-based compost retains moisture which is a must to stop containers drying out. I also advise watering in the morning rather than the evening because this gives the plants a chance if the temperatures are hot during the day, especially for containers grown in full sun. The second tip is to feed container plants weekly from March until September. This keeps the plants healthy, helps them produce leaves, especially on cut and come again salads. I use a seaweed-based feed, however you can use any proprietary feeds that boost leaf production.
Ideal herbs to grow in containers include:
Basil
Chives
Coriander
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Invasive herbs such as mint and lemon balm should not be planted in pots with other herbs. They are likely to swamp the other herbs and take over. Grow them separately instead. If growing herbs in containers it’s important not to over-fill it, or plant herbs that will out-grow the pot, or swamp the other plants. All perennial plants (such as rosemary, sage and thyme) will keep growing and will need dividing at the end of each year. Simply remove them from the pot and take a section of the plant and root ball from the main plant and place the smaller section back in the pot with fresh compost.
Annual herbs (such as basil and coriander) will need re-sowing every year in fresh compost. You can either buy fresh seed or try saving seed from your old plants in autumn.
Remember to save the seeds. Annual plants are genetically programmed to produce seed at the end of the growing season. This is their way of ensuring future generations of the plant. To save seed, simply wait for the seed heads to develop. This occurs after the plants have flowered. When the flowers wither and turn brown the seeds should be ready. Cut the stems off and place them (heads first) in a paper bag so they stick out. Then tie the bag around the stems with string and hang upside down in a dry place such as an airing cupboard. After a few weeks you will simply be able to shake the bag. The seeds will have come loose from the dried flowers and will be ready in the bag for you to sow the following spring.

How to plan a garden party

2008-09-17T09:53:00.003+01:00

For peace of mind, begin planning your party in the garden six to eight weeks in advance. This will allow you time to gather all the supplies that you need, including garden party decor, gifts, and menu items. Planning ahead also gives your guests time to RSVP and make travel plans, if needed. Don't panic if you find yourself short on time; you can still plan a great party! Planning ahead simply reduces the risk of conflicts with guests' plans and may increase your garden party’s attendance.

If making the invitations yourself, think first about who you are inviting to the party. Consider a flower-themed design, or focus on herbs and vegetables as your inspiration. A general garden invitation can be made from simple construction paper or card stock. Just fold the paper in half, and either decorate with flower or veggie stickers or create your own designs with paint or markers. If you’re short on time, you can purchase personalized or pre-printed garden party invitations online. We recommend mailing your invitations three to four weeks prior to the party—any sooner and your guests may forget, any later and your guests may already have plans. For this party, colors will depend on which direction you take the theme. If veggies and herbs are the focus, stick with lots of greens, tans, and yellows. If flowers are the main focus, any bright or pastel colors will work great. For goodie bags, purchase small toy gardening tools, gloves, sun hats, and flower-themed items like flower rings and pinwheels, seed packets, and assorted candies.

To set the mood there is no better way than lighting your area properly but elegantly. There are a few places where you can get mood setting party lights or solar lights that will bring your garden to life. Most good garden centre shops will sell them. They are easy to install as they require no wiring and because they use solar power they cost nothing to run. The effect these solar lights will give to the party are remarkable.

Make sure your guests are seated comfortably. There is plenty of outdoor furniture available from a garden centre that will accomodate large parties and become a centrepiece for the evening. It is important to chose furniture that is eye catching and materialistically perfect whilst still being great value for money ofcourse. It will give your guests the wow factor as soon as they arrive.

Most importantly, sont let the evening be spoilt by the typical British summertime weather. The chances of rain in late summer and autumn are quite high but with a gazebo the party can go on completely uneffected and into the night. It will cover all four sides and is large enough to accomodate dozens of guests, furniture, banners, foods, lights, heaters and whatever else your party needs. They are great value for money and can be used year after year and party after party. Keep the food coming from the barbecue and entertain as if it was 40 degrees outside.

With the end of the summer approaching, the nights can sometimes get a a little chilly. It is a shame to head back indoors so early. A simple, cheap and effective may to heat your party is to get a patio heater. There are several options to chose from but most people tend to opt for the gas powered patio heaters. They range from £150 to £400 depending on how much you are willing to pay. It is debatable that you actually get any more benefit from spending large amounts of money. You can get just as effective results from a £200 patio heater. Gas bottles are easy to fill. Most, if not all, caravan shop will refill your gas bottle if you take it to them for a very small fee.

Take care of your patio heater by covering it in damp weather and you will have something that will make family and friends talk about your garden parties and barbeque’s for years to come. Patio heater covers may seem a pointless expense, but you will soon realise that it is a cheaper alternative than buying a new patio heater every year.

Bird Watching from your garden

2008-09-15T15:28:00.003+01:00

It has been discovered that viewing the natural world is very therapeutic. Watching wildlife must be one of the easiest, most pleasurable pastimes possible – and you can do it anywhere. No matter where you live in the world, wild plants and animals can be found not too far away.

The answer is time and place, and being prepared. Most people look at the view and miss the detail. Knowing the right time and the right place to go can give you a head start. Wearing the right clothes and carrying a good pair of binoculars can then open up an entire world which you might easily have overlooked. A good pair of binoculars are avilable from any good garden centre or wildlife store.

Many people that label themselves birdwatchers spend most of their time viewing birds in the backyard. Not only do backyard birdwatchers attract a wide variety of birds to the yard, but they also take pride in knowing the various species that come to visit. Binoculars with a magnification of 8x are great for use in the backyard.Backyard birders typically fall into two categories: those wanting a compact binocular and those wanting full-size binoculars.

Full-Size Binoculars (like 8×40 or 8×42 binoculars) will provide better image quality than compact binoculars. Full-size binoculars (like 8×40 or 8×42 binoculars) will gather enough light to show good color and definition from dawn to dusk. However, compact binoculars may get used more often because of their size.

You can’t get much closer to home than your garden and, with the tempting prospect of being able to bird watch from the comfort of an armchair, there is every reason to take more interest in the antics of the birds that visit your garden.

Gardens are incredibly important places for birds - not least because private gardens occupy more land than that taken up by nature reserves. This means that what happens in gardens, really matters.

Some of the birds that use your garden, such as Robin, House Sparrow and Wren, are likely to already be familiar, but many others use gardens on a seasonal basis and may be new to you. The key to successful garden bird watching is to make your garden attractive to as wide a range of species as possible. For most people, this is best achieved by providing a range of foods, some on the bird table or on the ground and others in hanging feeders. Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatches and the various tit species will find peanuts irresistible, and by putting out seed mixes you will attract Greenfinches and Chaffinches into your garden. There are even insect based mixes and live food available for insect-eating birds such as Robins.

Putting food on a bird table or in a hanging bird feeder isn’t the only way of providing nourishment. By planting shrubs and bushes that fruit in the autumn, such as Pyracantha and Cotoneaster, you will be giving the birds an important natural food source. During the winter months Blackbirds and other thrushes are drawn to these bushes and will often keep returning until they have stripped them bare. Bushes and shrubs also provide essential cover for birds to nest in. Most good local garden centre’s will be able to provide you with a wide variety of shrubs that will fit the bill. When you arrive at the garden centre, simply ask one of the assistants for some help and they will help you chosing the correct shrubs.

Even the smallest of gardens has room for birds and, once you have started to attract new ones into your garden, you can add to the enjoyment of watching them by keeping a diary of all the different types that you see. This will enable you to build up a picture of when the different birds visit and what they feed on when they are there. The beauty of the golden yellow wing flash of a Goldfinch or the iridescence of a Starling have to be seen through binoculars to be believed; using binoculars opens up a whole new world and adds another dimension to your garden.

You will find that the more you learn about garden birds, the more you will want to learn. So go and put the kettle on and get ready to be amazed.

Garden Centre planters will brighten up your house

2008-09-15T11:43:00.002+01:00

There is nothing quite as effective and appealing as adding the perfect garden planters to your decorating scheme, both indoors and out. You not only transform drab and boring areas of your home or garden into elegant and charming aesthetically pleasing focal points, but container gardens can be functional as well as beautiful. Planters make it possible for anyone, even apartment and flat dwellers, to experience the joy of gardening and provide the opportunity to cultivate and produce a favorite herb, a fresh tomato, runner beans, and a host of other delightful and colorful plants, flowers, shrubs, and even trees.
You only need to take a drive around your local town to see that people all over are taking advantage of the low prices garden centres are carging for all different kinds of planters. Once only found adourning the pathways of stately homes and grand buildings, the growth of online garden centres has dramatically reduced the cost and significantly increased the availabilty of planters.
A simple planter can be just as appealing as an expensive grand one if it is decorated carefully and constructively. Colourful plants for the autumn flower border include antirrhinum, stock, pansy, viola, chrysanthemum, calendula, cineraria and marguerite daisies. It is easy to source all of these plants from your local garden centre. It is often beneficial to ask the staff in your local garden centre for advice. They will be able to offer suggestions on advice and what will best suit your requirements.

Keep the dogs out of the shrub beds

2008-09-15T11:39:00.003+01:00

If you sit down and calculate the time, money and effort you put into your own beloved garden, it is easy to feel sorry for those that are affected by animals destroying their beauty. Dogs seem to be the main cause for concern. Whether its pulling up plants in the shrub beds, urinating on topiary or running all over your newly laid lawn, you can often be left tearing your hair out looking for solutions to keeping your pets (and other peoples) where they should be.
Now there is a simple, cheap and effective solution. Available in most good garden centres is a variety of devises that emit sounds that only animals can hear. The Yeoman is one of those brilliant inventions and one of the most effective on the market. The Yeoman Keep Pets Off emits an ultra sonic sound wave that the pet can hear. Each time you pet moves into an area the vibrations set off the unit and the ultra sonic sound waves are irritating to your pet and hence your pet should move away from the area. Ensure the unit is positioned in the centre of the area you want the pet to keep off on a flat surface. It can even work indoors. Does your dog jump on the sofa or on your bed the minute your back is turned? For soft suraces like beds and sofas set to high sensitivity and for hard surfaces such as table tops set to low sensitivity.

Dont break your back

2008-09-09T08:25:00.003+01:00

It is no secret that many gardening tasks can be hard work. Because of the size and accessibility constraints that your garden poses, nearly 100% of everyday gardening tasks are labour intensive and require a bit of effort. This being said, why shouldn't we look to minimise this effort wherever possible and look for methods and tools that will bring the fun back into gardening.

There are various and numerous products on the market that are reasonably inexpensive and can save hours of pain and sweat. From rakes to cultivators, fly-mows to long reach hedge clippers, modern gardening tools are so much more affordable and effective than they ever have been.

One tool I came across some years ago was the Wolf Garten Push Pull Weeder. For years a suffered backache from weeding. I would spend every Sunday bent over pulling up weeds that had poked through vegetable plots and shrub beds. This tool eliminated the problem at source. By simply running the blade through the soil you can achieve wondrous results. Be sure to bend your legs, adopt a wide-stance, keeping your knees over your feet and use your legs as you move backward. Instead of just using your arms rock back and forth on your legs and scoot back as you hoe. I assure you that your back and shoulders will thank you the next morning. Be sure to alternate your raking stance from left to right every now and then and you will share out the workload on your body. The difference this tool can make to hoeing is incredible.

TIP: Things that look simple are usually more effective. The long reach lawn edge trimmer looks like an everyday gardening tool but you would not believe the amount of people that spend hours hunched over or on their knees with a short handle set.

I want to attract birds to my garden

2008-09-05T11:39:00.003+01:00

I have often been asked how people can entice wildlife into their garden. You don't have to be an avid bird watcher to enjoy the beauties that different kinds of bird can bring throughout the changing seasons.

Establishing a small wildlife sanctuary in your backyard will reward you by attracting a variety of birds and butterflies for you to enjoy viewing. Many will visit, and some may actually stay to nest and rear their young in your backyard.

You will want to create a yard or garden that will attract birds and butterflies and make them feel at home.
If birds and butterflies pass through your yard, but never seem to stay, it may be because your yard doesn't provide a varied, long-term food supply. Birds that stay over winter in your garden need to find food 365 days of the year. Small birds eat almost constantly during daylight hours in the winter. Migratory songbirds need large amounts of food for varying amounts of time, often just a day or two. Its easier to keep a large storage of food in the house and top up the bird feeder whenever necessary so that they never go hungry. Especially in times when conditions are harsh and food on the ground is sparse. Many excellent birdseed mixtures are available at garden centers, nurseries, and bird-feeding specialty shops. The style of feeding station will also encourage some and discourage some birds. Different elevations, environments, and openings are preferred by different species. You will attract the most birds by offering a variety of feeding spots, and types of feeders. Squirrel proof bird feeders are particularly nice, because they help save the bulk of the bird feed for the birds.

Another idea might be to provide the birds with somewhere to rest whilst they pass through. A great way to do this is with a bird bath or bird box. Often this will ensure the birds stop by long enough for you to enjoy them for a little while before they head on back to their nest.

To create a landscape that provides birds with a guaranteed, year-round food supply, you need to plant an assortment of plant species that provides seeds, berries, nuts, or other food throughout the year. Planting a diverse selection helps ensure that a variety of food sources is always available. Choose different plantings that produce food throughout each of the four seasons.

Avoid the use of pesticides in your yard. Many insecticides remove all insects, which serve as the prey base for insectivorous birds. A poisoned insect will in turn poison the bird. Using plants native to your region reduces the need for pesticide use since the native plants are resistant to local pests and diseases.

Leave hedges unclipped, or prune them naturally by selective branch removal rather than shearing. Restrict pruning to late winter, after any loose fruit has been eaten and before birds begin nesting in early spring. When you are devising a long-term water source for your garden, plan for the type of water feature that birds adopt most quickly: a shallow, rough-bottomed pool of still water. Birds are wary of water that is more than 2"-3" deep. Add a few stones that emerge from the water for smaller birds, and butterflies, to land on. Most songbirds can't swim, so they seek shallow water with sure footing. Most birds prefer water in a spot in a clearing, so position it in a sunny spot, away from trees and shrubs. That way, bathing birds can keep an eye out for predators and will have time to fly for cover.

How you decide to provide water for birds will depend on the time and money you wish to spend, and what you find appropriate and beautiful for your yard. The sound of gently moving water is extremely attractive to birds. Audible water in the garden can be provided by a simple dripping hose or by a sophisticated water fall. Remember that a little water music goes a long way. A thunderous waterfall or a huge, erupting fountain will frighten more birds than it attracts. Small drips, tinkles, and bubbles are what birds like.

Most importantly, dont forget your camera. The opportunity to keep memories of some of the most beautiful birds on our planet too good to miss.

Which hoe should I use?

2008-09-03T09:30:00.004+01:00

Many people make more work of hoeing than is necessary. Although, the hoe is one of the most primitive of all tillage tools, it can be designed and used more effectively now. No, there isn't really any way to make hoeing fun, but isn't a beautiful garden or flower bed and a painless back all the rewards you need?
The first problem with contemporary hoeing is that too often hoes are used for deep cultivation or chopping, rather than the scrapping action they are designed for. Let's not mistake a hoe for a shovel. Using a hoe in place of another tool accounts for sore muscles. We need a sharp cutting apparatus designed to slice weeds at their life-giving stems, not to dig them up. The majority of garden weeds have newly invaded with their shallow roots and fall easy victims to the scraping of your hoe. This scraping action takes relatively little work in comparison to cultivating or digging, and there are several hoe types that facilitate maximum scraping and weed death. For example, a shuffle hoe has blades on both sides to cut weeds on either side at the same time with pushing or pulling movements by its handler.

The importance of choosing the right hoe in the first place is paramount. A lightweight hoe with a sharp, durable, metal blade is best. The handle should be long and smooth. The handle's length minimizes hunching and stressing of your back, and the smoothness prevents splinters. Hoeing in an upright position with a comfortable handle is most effective. Again, depending on your needs, a shuffle-type hoe works well in larger problem areas, while a hoe with a smaller blade and a curved swan-like neck works best in precision hoeing. The swan-like neck allows you to hoe around small plants and flowers without going to the other side.
Finally, a common mistake in hoeing is the actual technique. Many gardeners lift the hoe into the air between strokes, stressing their backs, cramping their forearms, and ineffectively using their precious Saturday afternoon gardening time. Again, hoes are for scraping at the plants roots just below the surface of the soil.

My pond has gone green

2008-09-02T21:14:00.006+01:00

Please ensure all electrics are disconnected from the mains before you perform this operation.

Often your pump becomes blocked and it can only perform at up to 50% of its normal ability.

Carefully take out your pumps and inspect them closely for dirt and grime. Make sure there are no blockages and dust them down .Its time to return your pumps to the water after careful inspection of them and your hoses. You can give your biological filters a spring boost by inoculating them with beneficial bacteria available from garden suppliers. This is not a chemical. It is harmless to humans, animals, fish and plants. It helps to jump start your pond and maintains a healthy immune system for your fish. A 100% natural bio-product consisting of bacteria cultured on barley straw, enzymes and activated barley straw. You can test the water to assure that ammonia has not built up over the winter months. If you have high levels of ammonia, a 25% water exchange at this time should reduce the risk to your fish. If you have chlorine in the water, you will need to treat it. Be patient if you notice string algae or green water. Once your pond has established a balance this will disappear.

Im Building a pond

2008-09-02T20:57:00.006+01:00

Building a pond seems such an appealing option for your garden. Building a pond is an attractive alternative from grass, a variation from paving and a habitat for all kinds of interesting wildlife. Choosing the right place for your pond and the right equipment to keep your pond clean and fresh will ensure you haven't wasted your time. So many people cut corners in the design stage and end up filling in their pond with topsoil after a year or two.

A garden is there to be enjoyed by us, but there is no reason why we cannot share it with wildlife, which may need it as much as we do. Our wild animals and plants have been losing their natural homes over the years, as woodlands, hedgerows, fields, marshes and ponds have been destroyed to make way for roads, houses, factories etc. There are over a million acres of private gardens in Britain, not to mention the acres of land belonging to schools. Any garden, however small, and whether in the countryside or city, can be made into a nature reserve – land where wildlife finds a suitable home. We cannot expect to turn our gardens into homes for endangered animals such as otters and ospreys, but we can help a huge variety of plants and animals – remember that even common species could become rare some time in the future, especially if they have nowhere suitable to live.

Another important reason for having a garden full of wildlife is that it is so convenient. You can spend hours of fun with your children studying the natural world right outside our back door.

A pond should be as large as space allows, but even a small one is better than nothing. There are many useful books and leaflets available to help you make and look after a pond.Instead of, or as well as a pond, an area of marshy land could be created by sinking a pond liner a few inches down into the soil. Wild marsh-loving plants growing there will attract many species of animals.

It is important to keep your pond free from algae by using a pump. Pumps come in a confusing array of models and sizes.You will need a pump if you are planning on moving water in your pond, whether by a waterfall, stream, fountain, or spouting ornament. This article will help you determine what size of pump you will need for your pond or water feature.It will not matter whether the pond has a liner, or if it is a preformed pond.

To operate any electrical equipment near a water garden, use an outdoor outlet. Set this outlet at least 6 feet from the water and use only an outlet that is equipped with a ground fault interrupter (GFIC) for safety. These devices will cut off the power the moment water is detected in contact with the wiring. Your cable should be protected in a conduit, a plastic tube for electrical wires, so you won't dig into it accidentally. Extension cords with an integrated GFIC can be used for shorter distances. You can hide them under stones or mulch.

Pumps are available in both submersible and external (out-of-pond models). Reputable water garden suppliers have charts and other information available that can help you select the best model and connecting equipment for your purposes. For the smaller pond, a submersible pump is the most economical. The Titan range has been specifically designed for continuous running with minimum cleaning. Titans have the ability to pump solid particles up to 8mm without blocking (4mm with Titan 2000, 3000). They are suitable for filtration, waterfalls and watercourses.

To determine the pump required for your pond, estimate the vertical height from the top of your pump to the top of your waterfall or stream. Add another foot of height or lift for every 10 feet of hosing you will be using. This will allow for loss of volume from resistance within the hose. A general rule of thumb is to figure your stream/waterfall requirement as 150 gallons per hour per inch width of the spillway or channel. For example, if your stream or waterfall spillway will be 10 inches wide, you will need a pump that produces a flow of 1500 gallons per hour (at whatever combined height of the feature and another foot of height for every ten feet of hosing to get there). You can use a valve to adjust the pumps flow to what you want. You cannot increase the pumps capacity. ALWAYS PURCHASE A PUMP THAT WILL MORE THAN HANDLE YOUR NEEDS

Are Moles ruining your beautiful garden?

2008-09-02T19:51:00.004+01:00

The obvious reason for getting rid of moles is that they leave a lawn in looking like a bomb site with their molehills and their tunnels, or “runways” as they’re called in the pest control industry. It is often what happens underneath the soil as to why people want to get rid of moles depending on the species and how hungry they are. The thing is, a gardener (or the person in charge of lawn maintanence) has to decide which is more important, getting rid of grubs and other garden pests or getting rid of moles. Moles are under your lawn and in your garden for one reason and one reason alone: there is food in that there dirt, and lots of it. Moles love grubs and/or beetle larvae. Earthworms are yummy, too. But mostly they’re there for the grubs. So, obviously, if you have a problem with grubs, it might be a good idea to let the moles live. Moles don’t do that much damage to the vegetation, really. Their jaws aren’t strong like a groundhog’s. If, however, you have a supermole on your hands, then here are some ways to certainly get rid of moles.

Detecting which mole tunnels are most active is your first step to get rid of moles. Of all the mole species, there are just two ways to detect whether or not mole tunnels are active. The first way (for moles that build shallow tunnels) is to find a straight runway and stomp it in with your foot. If the mole is active in that area they will repair the tunnel in no less than a day. The second way to find an active mole runway is to poke around with a stick around the area where there are a large number of molehills. Once you’ve found a spot where the earth gives way, you’ve found an active tunnel

If you’re not into the whole trapping thing as a way to get rid of moles, you might want to try flooding the moles out. There are a lot of people who say that flooding moles out of their tunnels doesn’t work, and they might be right about a particularly persistent mole. The key to the flooding method is to find a straight active tunnel amidst a cluster of molehills. Simply insert the hose into the tunnel, wait until there is a sufficient amount of flooding, and see if you can’t catch the little bugger when he tries to escape.

If killing the mole doesnt sit easy with your concience then there is one extremely effective alternative that has been around for some years now. The Yeoman Solar Powered Sonic Mole Mover works by emitting sound waves every 30-35 seconds at frequencies between 400 and 1000Hz. Moles and other small underground rodents find these sounds unpleasant and seek to avoid the area covered by the sound. The beauty of the device is that worms and insects (that do so much good in your garden) are not affected by the mole mover.

How much money can I save using solar power?

2008-09-02T17:11:00.004+01:00

At a time when every source of fuel is being debated and alternative, more efficient and less expensive alternatives are being investigated we take a look at the benefits and background of solar power in reducing energy costs.

Though the pros and cons of solar power continue to be debated, it is starting to make a serious contribution to our energy resource mix. Solar energy systems work with a reliability unmatched by other energy technologies, at least when the sun shines.
A number of means have been created to harness energy from sunlight. The development of these technologies dates back at least twenty-five centuries to Ancient Greece.

Technically, most of our energy resources are forms of solar energy. The wind wouldn’t blow without the sun. The sun causes evaporation of water that ends up in rivers that are used for hydro electrical power; without the sun, water would be eternally locked in a solid state, ice. No biofuels can exist without the sun. And by most accounts, all fossil fuels exist because the sun allowed things to grow.

All forms of solar power are extraordinarily clean. They produce zero pollution when operating.
Solar power generators, whether thermal, light concentrating, or direct electrical, entail no more manufacturing concerns than any other energy related product.

There are many benefits of solar lighting. Here are just a few of the many benefits of solar lighting:
· Low energy costs. Hey, the power from the sun is free!· Little maintenance. Solar power products have few moveable parts… fewer parts to break. They last for a long time, and you hardly ever have to pay attention once they are installed. They will work their magic regardless.
· No emissions. There greatest benefits of solar lighting are, perhaps, the environmental benefits. When you use solar lighting, you are not contributing to global warming in any way.
· Renewable resource. Solar power is a renewable resource. Unless the sun falls from the sky or you live underground, you will never be without it.Other energy resources like coal and oil, etc., have finite supplies. The power of the sun, on the other hand, will keep on shining until humans no longer exist.
· Solar lights continue to work, even if there has been a power outage. When you have solar lighting, you can continue to have light, even when the rest of your street is dark
· You can use solar lighting to light homes or cabins or caravans, etc. in places where there is no other electricity. It can be very expensive to run power lines out to a cabin in the garden. It can be much less expensive to set up solar power at the cabin. Solar energy can be used to run everything from ceiling fans to TVs to washing machines and more
· Another of the many benefits of solar lighting is that many outdoor solar lights have darkness sensors, so you never even have to worry about turning them on or off. They take care of themselves.
· It is easy to install. The majority of outdoor solar lighting has no confusing wires that must be connected to your main electrical system. You simply attach the solar lights to your fence post or stake them into the ground, etc.
It is amazing how many benefits of solar lighting there are. Once you actually get your own solar lights, you are certain to come up with many more benefits, as well.

Bring your children closer to nature in this era of computer games and DVD's

2008-09-02T15:15:00.002+01:00

There is widespread concern among horticulturists that in 20 or 30 years, very few people in The UK will know how to garden. Part of the problem lies in the intoxicating qualities of media-based entertainment. Young people are rarely outside unless they're participating in structured games or sports. If they do walk in the woods, they are apt to be talking on a mobile phone or listening to music instead of bird songs.

Another barrier is parental concerns about getting dirty. I was blessed to be young when kids climbed trees, made mud pies and played with conkers and fallen bird feathers. One of my favorite pastimes was to run through woods and find things that looked interesting. I just loved the thrill of discovering something new, building camps and dens or playing in fields with my friends.

My parents always encouraged me to be outdoors. I was lucky, I had so many friends in my local village. We spent endless hours playing football and variations of hide and seek. My parents (as far back as I can remember) have always loved gardening and have tried to include me in every aspect of what they got up to outside the back door. As a child I remember planting various types of seeds and watching them grow into beautiful flowers and plants. It didn't take much effort to nurture them, a bit of water here and there was all it took. The thrill of watching something in your control grow into something so beautiful is a very special feeling and one that has stuck with me forever.

Now I encourage all parents to get their children involved in the garden. It can be as simple as a watering can or a bucket and spade. The trill that children get from getting their hands dirty can be used to bring them closer to nature. They can not only benefit from hours of exercise and fresh air, but gain knowledge about a fundamental part of our way of life.

Its time to buy from UK websites

2008-09-02T14:46:00.001+01:00

With the downturn in the UK Economy and the WEAK Pound, now is a great time to shop on UK Websites. The conversion rate from the pound to other currencies is making UK Websites great value for both UK Buyers and those Buyers outside the UK.
For UK Buyers shopping outside the UK it’s a bad time for your money as everything will cost you MORE! If you spend $500 on a US site it will cost you approx £274 whereas only a few months ago it would have been approx £251 and if a UK Buyer spends 500 Euros in todays exchange rate its approx £409 whereas a few months ago it would have been £396 so definately the UK websites offer the best value for money.

For NON UK buyers the weak pound is making UK websites great value for money and for those websites offering VAT Free Prices for non EU buyers there has never been a better time to shop in the UK. £500 spend on a UK site for non EU buyers is now only $910 whereas a few months ago it would have been $995 and if you get VAT free prices you can save another 17.5% on that figure approx $770

Poplar Tree is a great place to buy gifts for any occasion such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, new homes & Christmas. With a massive range of low cost products it is easy to find something. Poplar Tree has recognised the changing of the times and has responded by offering high quality products at affordable prices with FREE Nationwide delivery on all items over £50 and if orders are processed before 2pm they will shipped that day to arrive with you the next working day.

Look after your garden furniture

2008-09-02T11:23:00.002+01:00

After another typically wet British Summer it has been hard to enjoy the one thing that always cheers us up - our gardens. Not only has it been wet, but it has been very unpredictable. 4 years ago I visited Australia and was stunned by the fact that they can plan Barbeques 3 weeks in advance. Unheard of in Britain. Still, we benefit from the beautiful changing colours of Autumn and Spring, and this can often be the best time to get outside and into your garden.

Last year we saw sales of garden furniture rocket in September and October. People made use of the milder temperatures and got straight outside. With the prospect of wet weather setting in after October we are often faced with the dilemma of what to do with all our outdoor furniture and equipment. It is unusual for households to have enough storage space to accommodate a Gas Barbeque, tables and chairs, heaters, lawnmowers and goodness knows what else. That is why thousands of people opt to store their equipment outside. "It will rust" I hear you say!! Not if you cover it and protect it properly. Barbeque covers are very cheap but highly effective way of ensuring your bbq remains in great condition throughout the winter months and is ready to use again next spring. Similarly your heaters and furniture can be covered too with ease and you can tuck yourself away for the winter with the piece of mind that everything outside is taken care of.

Beat The Credit Crunch

2008-09-02T10:53:00.001+01:00

Every day we hear the words “credit crunch” and we are continually bombarded with news of doom and gloom. Yes we are all feeling the pinch but there are ways to shop to make your money go further. Treating yourself to something new always cheers you up and is a great moral booster.
Shop around and do your research, internet shopping is easy to browse and there are some great websites offering great prices. It’s much easier than trekking on foot from shop to shop and you have a huge choice at your fingertips. Compare prices and go for the best price. Quite often buying cheap and cheerful items is a temporary stop gap but sometimes it’s a false economy. The better the quality the longer they last. Designer Labels can be expensive but they do last and can be used year after year. Freshen up your garden by adding some low voltage deck lights. Perfect for decking, gravel, paths and garden borders, the easy to install set consists of 6 LED lights, 3cm in diameter complete with cables and an indoor transformer. They are energy efficient and economical to run, and are tough and hardwearing enough to be walked over. Ideal for highlighting decking edges and steps. Always check out a websites return policies as you don’t want to buy something that you cant get your money back if you dont like it. Check out P&P costs to make sure there are NO hidden extras, AND go for sites that offer great value.

Bear in mind if you are shopping on websites outside the UK your money is not going far, if you spent 500 Euros a few months ago your cost would have equated to about £385 now its costing you about £413, and if you spent $500 on a US site a few months ago it would have equated £251 now its approximately £272 so my advice is stick to UK sites as a UK buyer. Obvioulsy EU & Non EU buyers its a great time to shop on UK websites.

Poplar Tree Garden Centre is a great place to find gifts and other gardening products at unbelievably low prices. Here you can get great gardening tools and sundries at very competetive prices that won’t break the bank. Our sale goods selection has some great mark down prices to compete with any high street shop. You can “buy it, try it and if you are not 100% happy with it - return it” with our 100% satisfaction gurantee .

So what are you waiting for don’t let the credit crunch get you down visit Poplar Tree Garden Centre now!

If you dont believe me, then check out these bargains for yourself. Only while stocks last:

Garden Tool Cabinet & Tool Set - Only £50.00 (Limited period only)

Suncoast Palermo Garden Furniture Suite Black - Only £499.00 (Limited period only)

Suncoast Compact Folding Chair - Only £8.99 (Limited period only)

Suncoast Renaissance Table - Only £54.99 (Limited period only)

Bermuda Libra Water Feature inc Lights - Only £49.99 (Limited period only)

Gardman Low Voltage Deck Lights White - Only £19.99 (Limited period only)

Welcome

2008-09-02T10:26:00.000+01:00

Welcome to all first time readers. The aim of this blog is to go a bit deeper into the roots of gardening. Not only will I be giving you the greatest tips and advice available, but I will be telling you step by step how to do things the RIGHT way and even what tools to use to achieve the best results.

As gardening experts with over 40 years experience we will be sharing our advice directly to you.

Poplar Tree Garden Centre in Shincliffe, Durham has been helping people from all over the UK get the best from their gardens for over 40 years. We pride ourselves on taking as much care with our customers as they do with their gardens, and strive to be friendly and helpful at all times.

Our staff carry a comprehensive level of knowledge and expertise that is sure to answer even the most difficult of questions.

We sell an extensive range of gardening goods including outdoor furniture, Outdoor aquatics, natural/artificial flowers and plants, solar and electric lighting, sundries, paving and gravel, garden sheds and greenhouses, semi mature trees and shrubs, seeds, pest control, books, greetings cards, house plants, bedding plants, artificial turf, barbeques, childrens leisure, flower arrangements, special occasion gifts and much, much more.

To browse our ever expanding online range, please take a look around the website or pop into the garden centre and see for yourself what we have to offer.