What to do in the garden – Second Week of April

The Flower Garden Plant out perennials in groups of three, five or seven for maximum effect Sprinkle fertiliser around clumps of tulips to boost flowering, or use a foliar feed Sow hardy annual flowers

What to do in the Garden – First week of April

The Flower Garden Fill gaps in flower beds with primulas and polyanthus Prune forsythia and flowering currants as soon as flowers have faded Leave daffodil foliage intact for at least six weeks after flowering

What to do in the Garden – Last Week of February

In The Flower Garden Prune summer-flowering clematis, cutting above a low pair of green buds Cut out dead stems of ceratostigma and hardy fuchsias Prune all stems of Hydrangea paniculata down to about three

What To do in The Garden if it Snows!

WHAT TO DO IN WINTER OR ON A RAINY DAY With snow forcast and cold weather predicted to last a week or so what can we do if it is too cold to go

What To Do in The Garden – 9th December

In The Flower Garden Spread compost (Mulching) on to flower beds for worms to work in over winter Collect fallen leaves showing signs of blackspot from around roses Fork compost into borders, but take

What to Do in The Garden – 2nd December

In The Flower Garden Clear away annual climbers, like sweet peas and morning glory, and cup and saucer plants growing up trellises or obelisks Pick seed heads and evergreen foliage and mix with fruit

What to do in The Garden – Last Week of November

In The Flower Garden Prune wisteria sideshoots to 10-15cm from their base, and tie in leading shoots to create a framework Rake up fallen leaves that could be sheltering slugs Cut down dead perennials

What To Do in The Garden – First Week of November

In the Flower Garden Cut late-summer-flowering clematis right down to soil level Divide congested clumps of perennials such as asters, campanulas, rudbeckias and chrysanthemums after flowering Plant bare-rooted roses Dig up and compost exhausted

What to do in the Garden – Week beginning 21st October

The Flower Garden Plant tulip bulbs in groups to make drifts of spring colour After first frosts, lift and store dahlia tubers or leave in the ground but mulch heavily Plant evergreen shrubs and conifers,

What to do in The Garden – Last Week of September

In The Flower Garden Plant crocuses, fritillaries and dwarf narcissus in lawns Plant up patio pots for autumn interest Lift gladioli, clean the corms and store them in a shed or garage Prune rambling

What to do in the Garden – Last Week of August

In The Flower Garden Plant daffodil bulbs in pots and borders Check roses for suckers and cut off any you find, just below ground Trim conifer hedges to neaten their appearance and control height

What to do in The Garden – Fourth Week of August

In The Flower Garden   Prune pyracantha and train shoots to supports Prepare soil to plant evergreen shrubs and conifers by digging it over and incorporating lots of organic matter Prune lavender to maintain

What to do in the Garden – Second Week of August

In The Flower Garden Deadhead flowers of lady’s mantle before they set seed Water camellias to make sure they don’t dry out while the flower buds are developing Buy bulbs for autumn planting including

What To Do in The Garden – Second Week of July

In The Flower Garden Pick bulbils from lily stems and pot them up to raise new plants Give shrubs and perennial plants a liquid feed Cut down delphiniums once flower spikes fade Take cuttings

What to do in the Garden – 10th to 17th June

Flowers Keep baskets and patio pots watered and fed. I know, with all this rain you might still need to water! Spray roses to protect them from pests and diseases Cut the foliage of

What to do in the Garden – Fourth Week of May

Generally If I was to give you a tip this week, I would say if you are a keen gardener, write down everything you do in the garden. This not only becomes a good

What to do in the garden – First Week of May

Generally Looking back to last years blog we had 28 degress and cracks in my lawn that I could put my hand into…………………….  well what a difference this year!  The wettest April for over

What To do in The Garden – Second Week of April

The Flower Garden Sow sunflowers outside, directly where you want them to bloom Trim winter-flowering heathers, removing faded flowers and tidying up their shape Pick off faded flower heads from hyacinths, to prevent them

What to do in the Garden – First Week of April

The Flower Garden Plant out perennials in groups of three, five or seven for maximum effect Sprinkle fertiliser around clumps of tulips to boost flowering, or use a foliar feed Sow hardy annual flowers

What To Do In The Garden – First Week of March

In The Flower Garden Prune out old stems of elder (Sambucus) to promote new growth from the base Cut back last year’s Buddleia stems to ground level Hard prune trees that respond to pollarding,

What To do In The Garden – Second Week of February!!

                                                                A week

What To Do in The Garden – Last Week of January

In The Flower Garden Cut down willows and dogwoods to their base to promote strong new canes Finish taking hardwood cuttings from shrubs, trees and roses Plant bare-root roses, hedging, trees and shrubs Pick

What To do in The Garden – Third Week of January

In The Flower Garden Dig up congested clumps of winter aconites and transplant to new sites Improve the soil the soil by spreading compost or manure over beds and forking in Move plants growing

What To do in The Garden – First Week of January

In The Flower Garden Squash mistletoe berries into apple tree branches to encourage plants to develop Cut down old stems of sedums, taking care not to damage new shoots Clear borders and rake up

Merry Christmas

What To Do in The Garden – Third Week of December

In The Flower Garden   Spread compost on to flower beds for worms to work in over winter Collect fallen leaves showing signs of blackspot from around roses Fork compost into borders, but take

What To do in The Garden – Second Week of December

In The Flower Garden   Clear away annual climbers, like sweet peas and morning glory, and cup and saucer plants growing up trellises or obelisks Pick seed heads and evergreen foliage and mix with

What To Do in The Garden – Last Week of November

In The Flower Garden Clear faded growth of golden hops and annual climbers from pergolas and trellis Plant bare-root roses in well-prepared soil Transplant shrubs and conifers that have outgrown their position Cut down

What To Do in The Garden – Third Week of November

In The Flower Garden Check stakes and ties are secure on trees and climbers Move containers of shrubs or winter bedding to a sheltered spot when conditions turn very cold Plant new rose bushes

What to do in the garden – Second Week of November

In The Flower Garden Plant heathers and trailing ivy in pots for winter colour Cut down faded stems on rudbeckia and Shasta daisies, to just above soil level Finish planting tulips as soon as

What to do in the garden – First Week of November

In the Flower Garden Cut late-summer-flowering clematis right down to soil level Divide congested clumps of perennials such as asters, campanulas, rudbeckias and chrysanthemums after flowering Plant bare-rooted roses Dig up and compost exhausted

What to do in the garden – Third Week of September

Generally Raise the cutting height of your lawn mower and continue composting clippings Wash out and top up bird baths regularly Stretch netting over ponds and water features to prevent autumn leaves blowing in

What to do in the garden – Fourth week of August

eneraly Around The Garden Remove suckers from roses, shrubs and around the base of trees, like cornus and sorbus Trim box topiary and hedging Cut laurel hedges using secateurs so you don’t damage the

What to do in the garden – Third Week of August

Generally The third week of August, I cry “where has the month gone?” Well I’m a happy bunny today because yesterday I visited my allotment plot. Yes I have an allotment plot. The weeds

What to do in the garden – Fourth Week of July

Flower Garden Jobs Take cuttingsfrom shrubs including pyracantha, cotinus, hypericum, potentilla, honeysuckle, ivy, hydrangea, spiraea and rosemary Prune out plain green shoots from variegated trees and shrubs Cut lavender for drying when in full

What to do in the garden – First Week of July

Generally It’s July and for me it means not only busy in the garden keeping it lovely and tidy and watered but it is Britain in Bloom judging time! I’m judging the South and

What to do in the garden – Last Week of June

Generally If you have not already done so now is a good time to pot up houseplants. Tired plants can be revived and leaves cleaned. Many housplants can stand being put outside for the

Sunday Best – Alternative Gardening Tips

Sat in for Andrew Babicz this week in order to provide my own brand of gardening advice. I shall reproduce these tips for you here in case you missed the show – you’re welcome.

What to Do in the Garden – Second Week of June

Generally It’s that time of year again when the “In Bloom” entries come rolling in, the judges are ready for July but we need your help!  My guest on Sunday Best was Cllr Jim

What to do in the garden – First Week of June

Generally The rain on Thursday was very welcome however we still need more! The promised rain in the SE did not appear! With the rain on Thursday came cooler weather but also strong winds.

What to do in the Garden – First Week of May

Generally Temperatures are 15c less than last week! Last week we had high of 28c and low of 3c. Native plants and hardy shrubs can cope with this and indeed the cooler weather makes

What to do in the garden – Third Week of April

The daffodils are over but there are seedlings all over the garden of various plants such as Lunaria annua “Variegata” one of the few variegated plants that come true from seed. Dig seedlings up

What to do in the garden – First Week of April

The Flower Garden Plant out perennials in groups of three, five or seven for maximum effect Sprinkle fertiliser around clumps of tulips to boost flowering, or use a foliar feed Sow hardy annual flowers

Interview with Christine Walkden

Tune in for my interview live on Sunday at 11am. I’ll be talking to Christine about her new book No-nonsense Vegetable Gardening

What to do in the garden- Last week in March

In the Fower Garden Fill gaps in flower beds with primulas and polyanthus Prune forsythia and flowering currants as soon as flowers have faded Leave daffodil foliage intact for at least six weeks after

What to do in the garden – Third Week of March

The Flower Garden * Sprinkle granular fertiliser round roses, shrubs and along the base of hedges * Sow sweet peas into deep pots * Transplant evergreen shrubs and conifers to new sites * Place

What to do in the garden – Second Week of March

In The Flower Garden * Plant lily bulbs in pots for colourful summer displays * Prune shrub roses to low new shoots * Cut back overgrown honeysuckle stems close to their base, just above

Charlie Dimmock Interview

I had the great pleasure to interview Charlie Dimmock at a garden exhibition and played the interview on Sunday  Best recently. It you would like to hear it again just click the link below.

What to in the garden this week – First week of March?

Don’t be a slave to all those gardening magazine that are telling you to sow seeds outdoors now if the conditions are not ideal Often these magazine are written 3 months ago and cannot

RHS London Plant and Design Show 2011

I had the pleasure of visiting the show this week. A first for me. Some of the UK’s well known nurseries were there and as it was a Spring Show nurseries such as Avon

What to do in The Garden – Last Week of February?

In The Flower Garden * Prune summer-flowering clematis, cutting above a low pair of green buds * Cut out dead stems of ceratostigma and hardy fuchsias * Prune all stems of Hydrangea paniculata down

Should we ban smoking in parks and gardens?

This month’s Poll is about smoking in Parks and Gardens. Please do give me your vote whether we should ban smoking in gardens? This comes after New York has banned smoking in Central Park

What to do this week in the garden

In The Flower Garden * Sow sweet peas in deep pots and pinch out once two pairs of leaves have developed * Cut back old stems of mallow (Lavatera) to ground level. Take care

What to Do In The Garden This Week 16/01/11

The Flower Garden · Dig up congested clumps of winter aconites and transplant to new sites · Improve the soil the soil by spreading compost or manure over beds and forking in · Move

What to Do in The Garden This Week!

Gardens look a bit of a mess after snow so when it is dry and frost free get outside and clean up those leaves that have fallen recently. Some trees still have their leaves