Bush of Crocus Sativus March is the first month in the Roman calendar, and it is named after Mars, the God of War. This month tends to start off windy but in the end, when spring is in sight, the weather should start to warm up – which is great news after the cold blasts and snow of February. Also, welcome news ...
READ MORE +
As I was walking this morning, the sun was shining and I could definitely feel the gentle warmth of its rays, which was fantastic. We have had a very mild winter so far, with a few sharp frosts and snow further north, but here we have the treats of winter flowering Jasmine and the first display of daffodils February ...
READ MORE +
Hellebore Towards the end of December we certainly felt winter setting in but it has been amazing to still see roses and hebes still flowering – it really will be a record if they continue to survive until January! January may be cold, dark and ‘grimbly’ but since the shortest day on the winter solstice in ...
READ MORE +
One particular Robin is my constant companion in the garden and I love it when he sings to me and I talk back to him – fortunately no-one overhears me chattering away about the wrongs and rights of the world! Robins follow humans around the garden, so they can eat the bugs that we reveal when raking leaves and ...
READ MORE +
Early November is the last chance to plant trees and shrubs, so they can establish themselves before the cold of winter sets in. Deciduous leaves seem to be staying on the trees for longer this year, so do take the time to look at the choice of autumn colours that you can pop into your garden for a wonderful display ...
READ MORE +
Firstly may I point out that this is not my garden but a view of beech trees in Richmond Park! It does highlight the wonderful colours of autumn, when the leaves of deciduous trees turn to dazzling shades of yellow, orange and red, before they drop to the ground to form a carpet of many colours. They are also ...
READ MORE +
I always feel that gardens should tell a story, or various chapters of people’s lives as they develop. For me my gardens have been inspired by childhood books, such as The Flower Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker, which makes us look right into flowers – my dad always said that pansies look like people’s faces – some ...
READ MORE +
We are now half way through 2020 and are all slowly realising that the ‘New Normal’ is going to be our way of life, certainly for the rest of the year. So, we have all had to try to find new coping mechanisms and the main one for me has been the garden. The day before ‘Lock Down’, I was to be found raiding Notcutts ...
READ MORE +
July means the middle of summer and a new rich colour palette, as dahlias, agapanthus and cosmos come into bloom. You’ll need to deadhead and feed blooming plants, trim straggly specimens and keep an eye out for unwanted pests. Why not try some of these tips to bring the sun into your garden: Summer can create ...
READ MORE +
What can a gardening club do when people can’t meet up? Answer: Organise an online show! That’s exactly what the Ellens Green and Rudgwick Gardening Association have done. Its chairman, Richard Haigh, says: “We had to cancel our usual spring show but one of our members had the idea of holding a virtual show ...
READ MORE +
