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Growing by the moon. Is it loony?
What’s your view on the gardening habits of people who decide to plant their seeds according to the phases of the moon? Are these poor souls completely barmy, or is the whole idea actually plain, simple common sense? If you are in tune with ‘moon sowers’, you will agree that plants sown just before the full moon are likely to become stronger and more productive than those sown on the ‘wane’ rather than the ‘wax’. Read more -
Bee friendly to reap the rewards
Date: 15 October, 2015|
The sweetest thing is a bee
As National Honey Week approaches, (25-31 October), it's time to celebrate the honey harvest. But will any busy bees be joining in the party? Depending on the weather, the answer will probably be no, they’ll be huddling in a cluster in order to keep warm. Let’s look at why bees are so important – and see what we can do to help these flying insects. Read more -
9 ways to have fun outside in the 9th month of the year
Date: 10 September, 2015|Categories: Fruit and Vegetables , Gardening , Grow Your Own , Miniature gardens , Kids in the garden
Nine ways to have fun with plants and vegetables during the 9th month!
Do your kids or grandchildren show any interest in the garden? If not, are you 'bovvered'? Do you mind the fact that most of today's small people seem to love their digital world better than the ‘real’, nature-led environment in which you probably grew up? If the answer is a resounding "yes", let's do something about it! Here's nine ways to make some fun:
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Who thinks festivals are a new idea? The September harvest (festival).
September is a time when gardeners have their hands full. Literally.
The harvest is bountiful for those who have been gaily growing.
Harvest festivals are an age-old tradition that offer a magnificent celebration of food - a gathering held on or near the Sunday of the Harvest Moon. This is the full moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox (this year, on the night of 27 Sept). Traditionally it allowed farmers to continue their harvest late into the night by the light of the full moon. It's also important for migrating birds, many of which are said to rely on the harvest moon in order to commence their migration.
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It’s late August already. Can you believe it? We wait all year for summer and it seems to be over in a flash. But actually, August in the garden can be a strange month so perhaps we should celebrate it drawing to an end. There’s an air of neglect and wistfulness because schools are closed; people are away on holiday; streets and shops in local towns and villages can be quieter… and many plants are showing a bit of middle-aged wilt. The exuberance of early season has gone. But in its place comes some wonderful treats: Hydrangea; Perovskia; Helenium; Rudbeckia and many more.
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What's Hot in your Garden this Week?
Date: 01 July, 2015|Categories: Flowers , Fruit and Vegetables , Gardening , Trees and Shrubs , Annual Plants , Pots and Containers , Garden Equipment , Grow Your Own , Seasons , Hanging Baskets
What's Hot in your Garden this Week? 10 Summer Suggestions...
It's all about water, what with the hot weather and all that. We are SO lucky here in the UK to have all types of weather. And just for the moment it's gloriously HOT! Do you need to water your garden? It depends on the plants. Some are like camels - without the spitty habit. Read more -
Do You Have Five Gardening Friends?
Date: 24 June, 2015|
Do you have five 'Gardening Friends'? Tell us who they are...
Everybody needs friends and most gardeners feel they have many. There's all those lovely plants of course; the creatures in the pond; the birds that visit the table and of course the people that gardeners meet during any sort of garden-related activity. It's no surprise that gardeners generally accumulate a network of like-minded pals. There's the local horticultural club or garden society; the allotmenteers; the neighbours who share plants and information; the garden centre buddies; the elderly residents who are grateful to have a bit of help. When you garden, a budding social world presents itself. Read more -
If you are thinking of growing tomotoes by using seed from fruit you are eating, a word of helpful advice. DON'T! But why not?
Firstly, let's look at WHEN you might start to grow tomatoes. They actually take quite a long time, at least least four months from sowing to fruiting. You can grow seeds very early in the spring season so that you can expect to eat their fruits at the end of summer. You can also buy your tomatoes as small plants slightly later in the spring. That might help you to laugh all the way to the larder.
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