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The ground in winter can be saturated after many days and weeks of rain and most scientists predict that the extreme weather we tend to experience now in the UK will become ‘normal’. Call it climate change or just prolonged periods of ‘wet’, followed by extended times of ‘dry’, the results can be devastating for people living in low areas or around rivers. And, of course, for those using land for food production and other purposes.
But there are steps that can be taken to help alleviate the damage that results from flooding and even to prevent the events happening in the first place...
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Read moreHow sustainable are you in your garden?
As part of nature, plants themselves are perfectly balanced. They grow organically, they bear fruit and seed and some of this is eaten by animals and humans. Eventually they die and return everything and more back to the soil. Plants in their natural surroundings are in harmony with nature. Plant matter which is farmed or grown for pleasure can eventually be composted and fully re-used. Even water that is used to help plants thrive is recyclable in terms of photosynthesis, evaporation and rain.
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How realistic are New Year's Resolutions? Here's 5 top tips for success.
Date: 03 January, 2019|Categories: Gardening , Trees and Shrubs , Seasons , Health , Plants , happiness , Weather , biophilia , mental health
How many people break their New Year's Resolutions?
Are we setting ourselves up for failure when we make those New Year’s Resolutions? It seems that around 88% of people fail to achieve their goals, and by the end of February a high proportion can’t even remember what they resolved to change in their lives. Here are the reasons why we do it and five top tips for success:
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Twitter, Tweets and wild birds in your garden. Is there a connection?
We all know that a tweet is a sound coming from a bird, rather than characters originating from a digital device. Right? The majority of the younger generation wouldn’t agree. Tweets are part of Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone and Evan Williams’ idea for what was originally a ‘short message service’ communications system. A bit like texting, but for groups. In the 12 years or so since Twitter was created, the number of active users has risen to around 336 million each month, making it one of the biggest social networks. This bald eagle (below) would be a wonderful sight to see in the wild!
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The right plant in the right place is the thing to do. Choose appropriate plants for a dry garden as it's possible for them to survive without extra water. And use plants to soak up water in flood and waterlogged zones.
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Keep cool in the garden and seek out the shade
Date: 25 July, 2018|Categories: Perennials , Pots and Containers , Summer , Ferns , Plants , Drought , Clematis , Climbers , Water feature , Planting , Heuchera , Plants for shade , roses , gardenHead for the shade during sizzling summer days
There are many ways to try keeping cool during hot, dry and sunny weather. Some are obvious and others, less so. Garden umbrellas are probably the first line of defence. Put up several before the sun rises, and not only will the shade provide a mini-refuge, but the air flow around the umbrella will create a little breeze too. You don’t need a fancy stand, some garden parasols, such as the Eazy Shade from Cave Innovations, come with multi-function clips and clamps so that they can attach to chairs and tables. Read more -
Why is your garden bare, dry and jaded? Here's some tips to perk up your plot in July and August
As much as gardeners tend to love summer (because they can spend all those luscious daylight hours outdoors), the time is approaching when garden beauty starts to dwindle. Many spaces begin to look barren, with dry soils and parched plants without much in the way of colour. What can you do this month to perk up your plot? Read more -
Is it fun in the hot sun?
Is the hot summer all but a dream or will there be more good weather to come? Who knows, in this green and pleasant land, if and when sunshine and warmth will be with us. For most of us, a hot spell is a blessing. But if you were on the continent earlier in the month you would have experienced heatwave Lucifer. It has seen temperatures soar to over 40 degrees C. and caused havoc, including wild fires, drought and even death. The affected countries included Greece, Italy, France, Spain and Croatia, which were all issued with the highest grade ‘red’ warning from European weather hub Meteoalarm. Read more -
How to deal with slinky, slimy slugs and other garden pests
Have you planted out your bedding or put out your hanging baskets yet? The recent cold snap might have had its wicked way with anyone who was a little premature with their planting. But it’s certainly been a tempting time, with temperatures having already reached over 25 degrees celsius in the south east. It’s been largely dry and warm this spring. Too dry for gardeners and for many plants. Although the dry soil does have benefits when it comes to slimy garden pests that like to snack on plants. 
Slugs will soon be snacking on your prize plants!
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