Bring your garden indoors and create a conservatory oasis this winter

Anglian winter conservatory

Winter tends to be a relatively quiet time of year for many gardeners, but if you are lucky enough to have a conservatory, why not create a lush, tropical indoor oasis and bring plants in from the garden to add bright, natural colours and designs into your home during the winter?

A conservatory, or even a window sill, provides a perfect shelter from frost where you can over-winter your tender plants such as begonias, herbs and heat loving Mediterranean varieties including fig, olive, orange and lemon.

Or take the advice given in Gardeners’ World TV presenter Carol Klein’s new book, where she recommends growing chillies indoors in a greenhouse, conservatory or windowsill in the months leading up to Christmas.

She says, “Chillies look fabulous, with their red, orange, yellow – even purple – fruits dangling like Christmas baubles, and they make very decorative houseplants as long as they can get enough light, but I grow them because I have come to love to eat the fruits.”

Bringing fragrant leaves such as Calycanthus into your home is another way to make your house smell wonderful and keep your spirits up as the winter closes in.

Head of Marketing and Communications at Anglian Home Improvements, Melanie McDonald, says, “Modern conservatories are much better insulated than many of the older designs, which allows homeowners to use them all year round for a wide range of purposes. Many of Anglian’s customers are keen gardeners and use their conservatories as an extension of their garden as well as home throughout the seasons. In addition to providing winter protection for plants and a perfect place in which to start off spring bulbs, the colours and perfumes that can be brought into the house are a real bonus at this time of year, plus you get the benefit of being able to enjoy some of the results in your cooking as well.”

Anglian Home Improvements is the UK’s biggest double glazing window, door and conservatory specialist. Its range of traditional and contemporary conservatories, including an orangery and conservatory verandah, are all made in the UK using the most up-to-date uPVC conservatory manufacturing and construction techniques.

Squrrels driving you nuts?

Haith’s, The Bird Food Specialist - Public Relations

If you feed the birds, Grey Squirrels are probably the bane of your life. They will not only steal all the food, they will probably destroy expensive bird feeders, many of which may claim to be "squirrel resistant". Very few are!

TV Broadcaster and Britain’s favourite bird food chef, Bill Oddie admits, it’s hard – but not impossible - to beat the Grey Squirrel: “A friend of mine once designed and then built a home-made bird table. He was very proud of it, especially when it was almost immediately visited by birds. Unfortunately, it was soon also invaded by Grey Squirrels. He immediately resolved to invent a deterrent.”

“He started by simply moving the table further from his hedgerow. No good. Squirrels can leap a very long way. Then he tried fixing a sort of circular baffle under the table. The squirrels fell off a few times, but soon clambered over it, and then chewed it to bits.”

“Next, he fitted a length of piping over the pole, under the table, suspended on springs. He figured that the squirrels might be able to scramble over it, but at least he'd have the satisfaction of seeing the pipe spring back and whack them on their behinds! The last I heard, the squirrels had stretched the springs so far that they didn't spring any more. They had eaten all the bird food, and my friend decided to build a new Hi Fi cabinet instead!”

So, are any of these squirrel resistant feeders really squirrel resistant?

“Well, I've tried them all,” says Bill Oddie “and so have my garden Greys! I'd say that most of them work, most of the time, but there's no denying the squirrels ingenuity or tenacity, and you almost have to admire them for it.”

“One thing you do have to accept is that many of these contraptions look more like flying saucers, space rockets or pieces of modern sculpture than bird feeders. I can't say they exactly blend in with the concept of an old fashioned rustic garden! But if you do have a squirrel problem, Haith’s the bird food specialist have a range of squirrel resistant feeders and you really have to try them. It's no coincidence, by the way, that many of the most successful squirrel resistant designs come from America, which is of course where Grey Squirrels actually belong (they were introduced into England early in the twentieth century, 'cos someone thought they were cute. Oops!)

Haith’s - the bird food specialist - have a high-quality range of squirrel resistant bird feeders and SUPERCLEAN™ bird foods online at www.haiths.com and Bill Oddie’s Bird Food Recipes can be found in the pet aisle at ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Wilkinson and Waitrose - see www.billsbirdfood.co.uk for more information.

Women prepare Styal-ish garden for RHS Flower Show

Female offenders at HMP Styal, Cheshire, showed visitors to the RHS Tatton Flower Show their journey of rehabilitation in their aptly named ‘Metamorphosis’ garden.

The 14 x 6 metre garden, which gained a silver award at the show, plots the prisoner’s journey from sentencing though to release, using a combination of planting styles and horticultural techniques. The garden focuses on the women’s developmental journey from dark days to brighter future.

Eight offenders from Styal womens prison were chosen to participate in the RHS garden project – a joint partnership between The Manchester College and the prison. Most of the women are currently studying for a City & Guilds Horticultural qualification from the college, which supplies offender learning services at the prison. Elements of the garden were supplied by prisoners from other courses; the butterfly was designed and painted by offenders from the Painting & Decorating course and the signpost and Beehive made by prisoners on the Construction course.

Some 11,000 women offenders go to prison each year in the UK – more than half of those are likely to reoffend without intervention from offender learning programmes like those supplied by The Manchester College.

Kelly, a female prisoner from Styal who took part in the RHS Tatton project, said: “I’ve never had the opportunity to do anything like this and it’s given me confidence in myself, something that I’ve never ever had. I’m really proud of the garden and what I’ve done. It’s been a real team effort, which has showed me that I’m not on my own, that help and support is out there, I just need to ask for it.”

The Manchester College runs offender learning services at prisons across the UK, providing prisoners with the opportunity to learn new skills as part of their rehabilitation programme; from hairdressing and catering to horticulture and decorating. The college focuses largely on helping prisoners with key skills, which are often missing from prisoners’ lives, as well as vocational skills that will help them into work on release.

Richard Heys, The Manchester College Horticultural Trainer at the prison, explained the benefits: “If we invest in offenders, reskilling them, improving their self esteem, health and wellbeing, they are far more likely to return to society and make a successful contribution. While some people may be concerned that educating and skilling prisoners means that they will take jobs from ordinary hardworking people, the hard fact of the matter is that without it prisoners are far more likely to reoffend.

“We’ve seen the women as well as the flowers thriving during this project, which has been an incredibly successful collaboration between HMP Styal and The Manchester College.”

The zero-cost project was partly funded by the Big Lottery Fund and sponsored by local businesses – John Wood Nurseries, Four Oaks, Newgate Nursery and Newbank Garden Centre – who provided materials for garden.

No Bacter sales good at garden centres

DJ TURFCARE launched a new 7.5 kilo bag for the award-winning MO Bacter earlier this year, specifically for the garden centre marketplace.

And garden centres in Scotland, the first to try it, found the product flying off the shelves in this year’s wet summer months – perfect conditions for the moss-eliminating organic lawn fertiliser.

Now the award-winning product, in bright attractive packaging, is being targeted for autumn sales at garden centres in the south of the country

MO Bacter is an organic granular lawn fertiliser that destroys moss and eliminates debris by bacterial action, avoiding the need to rake.

It has recently been featured on BBC TV’s Beechgrove Garden series in Scotland where it received much praise for success in trials on their moss-infested lawns.

The new size bag will treat up to 75 square metres, while a regular 20 kilo bag treats up to 200 square metres.

“This year’s wet summer months have created the perfect environment for continued sales of MO Bacter,” said managing director David Jenkins. “Because the product needs damp and warm conditions to operate effectively we have not been hit with the usual slower sales that would have been caused by a drought.”

MO Bacter, from Viano of Belgium, is a totally organic product which eliminates moss and fertilises lawns without the need for raking debris.

It won the Turf Professional ‘Product of the Year’ at a national golf industry show and has since received much praise from both professionals and amateur gardeners alike.

MO Bacter is an organic slow-release granular fertiliser which eradicates moss, feeds grass and improves the soil. Scarifying after treatment is not necessary. Lawns are fed for six weeks with one application.

Moss dies as a result of excess potassium but leaves no black debris. The dead moss is then digested by the bacteria in MO Bacter (npk: 5-5-20). The product does not stain stonework, patios or paths.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has seen remarkable results in which two inches of moss at one cemetery in Oxfordshire was virtually eliminated in six months, with no need for scarifying to remove debris. And headstones are completely unmarked.

Renowned tennis head groundsman Eddie Seaward tested MO Bacter and said he found it to be “very effective and very efficient.”

The product is harmless to animals and wildlife and will not damage border plants.

“This product is revolutionising the way moss is treated on grass near stonework,” says David Jenkins.

DJ Turfcare is the sole distributor in the UK for Viano fertilisers.

Own a garden centre and wish to stock MO Bacter? Call them on 01483 200976.

DETAILS: DJ Turfcare on 01483 200976.
www.djturfcare.co.uk

FACTFILE:

What is MO Bacter?

MO Bacter is an organic slow-release granular fertiliser based on the NPK formulation 5-5-20 (Nitrogen 5percent Phosphate 5percent and Potassium 20percent). It also contains a natural bacteria (Bacillus sp.).

What does it do?

MO Bacter applies the three essential nutrients to the turf on lawns and an extra dose of potassium, which moss cannot survive. The moss dies as a result of the secondary action of this potassium overdose, while grass strength is greatly improved.

Within three to four weeks of application, under ideal conditions, you will see the moss go brown. A short time afterwards this dead moss will start to disappear, the bacteria in MO Bacter digesting the dead material.

The slow-release granules will continue to supply nutrients to the grass plants for up to three months, ensuring a healthy lawn.

How do I apply it?

By hand or spreader at the rate of one handful (about 200 grammes) per two square metres. A 20 kilo bag will treat up to 200 square metres. 7.5 kilos will treat up to 75 square metres.

It does not matter if it rains afterwards. MO Bacter works best when the soil temperature reaches 5degC so warm damp conditions are ideal.

When do I apply it?

MO Bacter can be applied from early March through to August for healthy grass and moss elimination and is also very successful when used in early autumn (September-October) for acting as a moss control throughout the winter.

How do I store it?

Keep MO Bacter in cool dry conditions, stored in the plastic bag and secured at the top. You can continue to use the product for up to 12 months after the bag has been opened. It should keep well if you ensure the bag is not in damp conditions.

What are the advantages of MO Bacter?

There are five main advantages: MO Bacter is Organic; Slow-release; Does not mark stonework; Does not harm children, animals or plants; Destroys moss, eradicating debris – thus resulting in no raking.

Last chance to win garden makeover from Anglian Home Improvements with David Domoney

If you’ve ventured out in the garden this week you’ll notice that all the rain we’ve had lately has really taken its toll and the weeds have gone into overdrive. Well luckily for you, help is at hand from Anglian Home Improvements, who are running a free prize draw for one lucky homeowner to win a garden makeover with TV garden expert David Domoney, valued at £10,000.

Courtesy of the UK’s leading conservatory, door and window double glazing specialist, David and his team of Garden Angels will help transform the winner’s garden, advising on the best plants and layout, tidying the existing plot and spending up to £2,500 on new plants, trees and ornaments to fit in with David’s garden design advice.

Recently seen on ITV’s Love Your Garden with Alan Titchmarsh, green fingered expert David Domoney regularly appears on television gardening shows and also creates garden designs for the RHS shows. He explained why many of our gardens have grown out of control this summer.

“The weeds have flourished this year due to all the rain we’ve had, while the more tender varieties that are a favourite in many British gardens like bedding plants and exotics have suffered from lack of sunlight, an excess of water and low temperatures. The damp conditions have led to an explosion of slugs and snails too, which have been wreaking havoc all over the garden. It’s been almost impossible for most of us to get outside and tend to the borders, so this prize draw from Anglian will give one lucky person a great opportunity to sit back and let me and my team do all the hard work to get their garden back in shape.”

Launched by Anglian Home Improvements and David Domoney at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show last month, the prize draw deadline has been extended and it now closes at 3.30pm on Monday 6 August 2012. To be in with a chance of winning the garden makeover, simply enter your name and email address here. More information and full terms and conditions can be found on the Anglian Home Improvements website.

Anglian Home Improvements’ Grapevine Theatre sees celebrities turn out in force

 
Sally Gunnell visiting Grapevine Theatre

It’s been an eventful week at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show’s Grapevine Theatre with a multitude of gardening personalities and celebrities stopping by to chat and join in the fun.

Sponsored by conservatory, door and window double glazing specialist Anglian Home Improvements and hosted by TV garden expert David Domoney, the Hampton Grapevine Theatre is proving the place to be at this year’s show. And if you haven’t been along yet, there’s still time to visit this weekend when John Craven and Bill Oddie will be topping the bill and answering gardening questions.

BBC Countryfile’s John Craven proved a popular presenter at the Grapevine Theatre on 3rd July, the opening day of the show, where he was a huge draw for the crowds. John gave visitors an insight into how he got into journalism and broadcasting, before talking in more detail about his favourite gardening topics including wild flowers, his great respect for David Bellamy and a series of other entertaining stories and recollections.

TV garden expert David Domoney, who is presenting a series of live, interactive shows from the Hampton Grapevine Theatre, has also been joined this week by another Countryfile favourite, Adam Henson. Current holder of the title for the fastest hanging basket in the Hampton Grapevine Theatre Hanging Basket Challenge, Adam completed his display in front of a live audience in an astounding 12 seconds!

On Thursday, a surprise visit from international athletics champion and sports presenter Sally Gunnell caused some excitement at the Grapevine Theatre, and qualified horticulturist, TV broadcaster and author Toby Buckland also joined David Domoney to chat about his love of gardening.

A stunning verandah conservatory provided by Anglian Home Improvements in the centre of the marquee has proved particularly popular as more and more people are looking for garden tips and hints on how to use their conservatories and window sills for growing plants all year round.

David Domoney explained, “Gardeners are becoming more creative and ambitious about what plants to grow in their conservatories and window boxes. Tropical and Mediterranean house plants such as Bird of Paradise and the Bat Plant tend to be firm British favourites and flowers such as jasmines and gardenias not only look beautiful but also bring delightful fragrances into the home. What’s more, in many towns and cities where space is at a premium in small gardens, herbs, chillies and peppers are becoming an essential addition to the contemporary kitchen window sill.”

Located in the heart of the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, the Grapevine Theatre is an ideal place to shelter from the erratic British summer and watch a studio-style TV show with audience participation and live presentations from green fingered celebrities. While there, why not find out about Anglian Home Improvements’ exciting prize draws too? You could win £1,000 in cash by visiting the stand or a garden make over by David Domoney, worth £10,000. More information and full terms and conditions can be found on the Anglian Home Improvements website.

John Craven and Bill Oddie will both be back over the weekend and you can send in your [gardening questions|for David to ask them during the Celebrity of the Day feature via Twitter using the hashtag #HCgrapevine.

Other celebrities spotted in and around the Hampton Grapevine Theatre Marquee this week include John Hurt; Michael Buerk; Moira Stuart; John Humphrys; Miranda Richardson; Maggie Smith; Ben Sheppard; Nick Knowles; Lee Mack; Rob Brydon; and Jessica Hynes. More expected this weekend!

To keep updated on what’s happening at the Grapevine Theatre, please visit http://www.anglianhome.co.uk/hampton-court-flower-show or follow #HCgrapevine or @anglianhome on Twitter.

National Trust heritage gardens benefit from new plant conservation centre

Rare plants from National Trust gardens across the country will be propagated at a new Plant Conservation Centre that will improve the way one of the most important plant collections in the UK is cared for.

Opened by international plantsman Roy Lancaster, the new 2.5 acre facility at a secret East Devon location will bring together plant propagation facilities, plant collection management expertise and facilities for training National Trust staff on all aspects of caring for the important plants in the gardens they look after.

The opening of the new facilities comes at a time when the spread of new plant diseases in the UK, in particular 'Phytophthora ramorum' which causes Sudden Oak Death, have required an acceleration of emergency propagation to ensure the survival of threatened specimens and the supply of disease-free replacements.

The £700,000 Centre's immediate focus will be to build on existing plant conservation work at Knightshayes Court, also in Devon, to help staff and volunteers record and identify the special plants that require priority propagation at National Trust gardens throughout the country.

Mike Calnan, Head of Gardens at the National Trust, said: "The National Trust's portfolio of plants is of immense importance and is one of the most significant collections in the UK.

"The aesthetic, historic and botanical value of the plants is what makes the gardens we look after so special and give pleasure to more than 12 million visitors each year.

"This is the most important plant conservation initiative from the National Trust for more than 60 years and will have a legacy for decades to come."

The charity cares for over 20 major collections of trees and shrubs including thirty National Plant Collections and hundreds of plants that were first raised or collected in the wild around the globe and planted in National Trust gardens over past centuries.

Roy Lancaster said: "The new Plant Conservation Centre is a hugely important development for the National Trust, creating for the first time a single facility dedicated to the vital work of conserving the important plants in its properties."

In addition to the Centre's work for the National Trust, a new bespoke propagation service for major private plant collection owners will be offered for the first time. 

Propagation services are also available to Trust countryside properties wishing to save or bulk-up rare native species. 

The National Trust gardeners who will be working at the Centre recently propagated and helped save over 300 old Cornish apple varieties now successfully established in the 'Mother orchard' at Cotehele in Cornwall.

Charlie Port, who worked for the National Trust at Knightshayes and is now one of the volunteers that will be working at the new Centre, said: "Working in the propagation unit is extremely rewarding.

"I've been involved with propagating plants for the Trust for 25 years now and during that time we've had thousands of successes.

"I get huge satisfaction from the idea that some of the plants I have handled will be around for hundreds of years to come."

FACTFILE:
With more than 250,000 hectares of countryside and 710 miles of coastline across England, Wales and Northern Ireland there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy days out with the National Trust. The charity is one of the most important countryside conservation organisations in Europe. It promotes environmentally friendly practises and carries out conservation work on the diverse and rare wildlife that lives on its land. It also looks after for more than 300 houses and gardens, from workers cottages to stately homes, preserving not only buildings but the stories of the people who lived there. The National Trust also offers a range of holidays and gardens to visit. These spaces inspire the Trust's 4 million members, 61,000 volunteers and 5 million other visitors every year.

Hampshire Fire Service in compost advice as compost causes blaze

At 12.10 hours on Saturday 26 May, a neighbour alerted Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service to a fire at a private residence in Rother Road in Cove, near Farnborough.

A total of eight fire appliances and supporting vehicles were in attendance. Four fire appliances from Rushmoor Fire Station were initially mobilised to the scene. Also in attendance were one fire appliance from Fleet, the special equipment unit, aerial ladder platform, two fire appliances and command support from Basingstoke, one fire appliance from Yateley, one fire appliance from Hartley Wintney, the multi-role vehicle from Havant and the incident command unit from Service Headquarters in Eastleigh.

Volunteers on call with the Red Cross in Hampshire also leapt into action to assist at this incident. Mobilised by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, the Fire and Emergency Support Service (FESS) team provide emotional and practical support to the family.

The fire affected three two story terraced private dwellings measuring 30 metres by 12 metres. The fire started at the rear of one of the properties and caused 100% smoke damage and 50% damage by fire to the property, 50% smoke damage and 50% fire damage to the adjoining property and 10% fire damage to the roof of the third property.

Group Manager Martin Walters who was officer in charge of the incident said: “Crews worked extremely hard in hot arduous conditions to tackle the fire from within the confined roof space, whilst the aerial ladder platform was utilised from outside of the building. Due to their actions the fire was contained to the end two properties and within two hours the fire was extinguished by firefighters using 18 breathing apparatus, four jets and three hose reels.”

Crews regularly re-inspected the scene and at 2125 hours used one hose reel to cool down structural areas within the roof spaces.

Station Manager Paul Robson from Rushmoor Fire Station said: “The grass cuttings contained in the bin had heated up during the recent hot weather conditions to such an extent that it self-combusted and caught alight. To avoid similar incidents of this kind I urge residents to regularly check the storage of grass cuttings, compost or any similar natural materials to ensure that they do not overheat. Storage facilities of this kind should be located away from buildings, fencing and decking areas to reduce the risk of fire spread should a fire occur.”

Live in harmony with your pet & garden

How to live in harmony with your pet and your garden; let your pet enjoy your lawn and garden as much as you do.

Dog Rocks will dispel every pet owner’s fear of allowing their dog or bitch to roam free in their garden.
Dog Rocks will help to stop pet urine killing lawn, box hedge and shrubs in one quick cock of the leg or delicate squat. With Dog Rocks, your dog can SAVE your lawn & you can let your pet enjoy your garden as much as you do!

Dog Rocks are the only 100% natural, safe, hassle free & non medicinal way to rid your lawn of urine burn patches, they are a prevention AND cure & with regular use you will have a perfectly green lawn, urine burn patch free, allowing your whole family, pets included, enjoy your lawn all year round.

Grass burns from dog urine are a source of frustration for dog owners who take pride in a beautiful lawn. Brown or yellow spots of dead grass are unsightly but Dog Rocks offer a natural, simple, hassle free & non medicinal way to prevent grass burns from dog and bitch urine.

While nitrogen is an essential component in healthy soil, an high concentrations of it can cause grass to turn yellow or brown. Urine is naturally high in nitrogen and alone can cause grass burns. However, lawn fertilizer also contains nitrogen. An excess of either or a combination of urine and fertilizer may result in an overdose of nitrogen, thus "burning" the grass. It may seem like female dog urine causes more trouble to the lawn than male dog urine. This is simply because most females tend to squat and urinate in one place, while many males lift the leg and "mark" upright objects in multiple locations. The composition of a dog's urine does not vary that much between male and female dogs, especially when spayed or neutered.

Placed in your dog’s water bowl and changed every 2 months, Dog Rocks will eliminate these unsightly marks without any need for medication. Dog Rocks have been used for around 12 years with huge success worldwide & are safe for all household pets; there is no change to the pH balance of the dog’s urine. Dog Rocks are endorsed by vets and sold to pet owners worldwide.

“Dog Rocks have worked wonders on my lawn, thank you!” Cherry, Dorset. UK
“Amazed at the difference in our lawn” Anne Lawrence, Devon, UK.
“Quite brilliant, my lawn had suffered for years until I started using Dog Rocks”
Philippa Katz, Vermont, USA.

Each pack is of Dog Rocks is accompanied by an instruction leaflet and diary reminder sticker. There are 12 units per display box.

- Wash the Dog Rocks thoroughly under running water to remove any dust.
- Place your entire pack of Dog Rocks in your dog’s water bowl, if you have more than one water bowl, you will need another whole pack of Dog Rocks, and each water supply should have one entire pack of Dog Rocks in it.
- Replace your Dog Rocks every 2 months and for best results, refresh the water at night every two to three days and top up at night in between.
- Dog Rocks are not uniform size and differ from pack to pack in content because they are entirely natural. The weight of each pack is however the same and therefore the efficacy is consistent.
Dog Rocks SSP $16.99/E14.99/£12.49 per pack - each pack lasts 2 months.

Dog Rocks are available through all major wholesalers in the vet, pet and garden centre markets. To consumers Dog Rocks are available through vet practices, pet and garden centre retailers as well as online. Some of our European customers include Pets At Home, Kennelgate Stores, Jollyes, Pampurred Pets, Pets City, Pet Supermarket, Pets Corner, Wyevale Garden Centres, Dobbies, Hillier Garden Centres, Nottcutts Garden Centres and Poplar Nurseries.

For more information go to: http://www.dogrocksus.com or http://www.dogrocks.co.uk

Anglian Home Improvements in Hampton Court Palace Flower Show sponsorship with TV gardener David Domoney

Following the award-winning success of their collaboration at last year’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, Anglian Home Improvements has announced that it is again teaming up with TV garden expert David Domoney for this year’s gardening show.

The window, door and conservatory specialist is sponsoring the magazine-style Grapevine Theatre, hosted by Domoney offering a fun and interactive destination for garden-loving visitors to the event. At the centre of the show, the Grapevine Theatre will offer an opportunity to relax and be entertained, picking up some great gardening tips whilst keeping an eye on everything else that’s going on around the show.

Green-fingered celebrity guests John Craven, Bill Oddie, Adam Henson and Toby Buckland will join Domoney in the Grapevine Theatre marquee to chat about their love of gardening and much more. Roving reporters will capture all the action from the show, beaming it back to the screen at the Grapevine Theatre marquee where top garden design experts will be on hand every day to provide ideas on gardening and outside living.

Melanie McDonald, Head of Marketing and Communications at Anglian Home Improvements, explains the reasons for the company’s continuing involvement with the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

“Gardening is a favourite hobby of many of Anglian Home Improvements’ customers. It makes perfect sense that homeowners who invest in maintaining their property with good quality home improvements will also take a keen interest in the look of the outside space and garden.”

“For many years, Anglian Home Improvements has supported horticulture shows by sponsoring a garden design or exhibiting products like our conservatories that ‘bring the outside in’. Following last year’s success of working with David Domoney on the Naked Garden, we are delighted to continue our association and feel that the Grapevine Theatre gives us an excellent platform to showcase our products in the dedicated display areas, tying in with some of David’s top gardening tips such as landscaping around conservatories, the best plants to grow in conservatories and creating kerb appeal at the front of your home with window boxes and hanging baskets.”

Anglian Home Improvements and David Domoney won a silver award at last year’s Hampton Court Palace Flower Show for their Naked Garden, featuring plants from around the world that can grow without soil to produce flowers, foliage, fruit and vegetables. Inspired by Anglian glazing technology, which is hidden in the natural transparency of glass so ‘invisible’ to the homeowner’s eye, the garden exposed plants in a series of cleverly constructed glass containers and transparent materials to show the beauty of ‘naked’ plants and expose what is conventionally left undiscovered.

For a chance to win tickets to the event, contact Anglian Home Improvements via Twitter, Google+, Pinterest or Facebook using the hashtag #HCGrapevine, explaining why you would like to attend the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. The competition closes at 6 pm on Thursday 28 June and winners will be notified by 6 pm on Friday 29 June. Competition terms and conditions can be found on the Anglian Home Improvements website, http://www.anglianhome.co.uk/hampton-court-flower-show.

Following an Exclusive Preview Evening on Monday 2 July with fireworks and live music in the Grapevine Theatre, the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show officially opens on Tuesday 3 July and runs until Sunday 8 July. Details about the event including ticket information can be found at www.rhs.org.uk. For further information about Anglian Home Improvements, please visit www.anglianhome.co.uk

New Garden Sofa Range From Luxurypatiofurniture.co.uk Luxury Garden Furniture

Luxury Garden Sofa Range Out Now

Luxury garden furniture can make all the difference in transforming your outdoor living space into a space you can actually relax in.
www.luxurypatiofurniture.co.uk have just launched their 2012 range of garden sofas, and all outdoor sofas come with free uk mainland delivery in just a few days.

A weather-proof garden sofa, as well as various other types of all-weather rattan garden furniture, can be purchased from Luxurypatiofurniture.co.uk at superb prices. As well as garden sofas, this company also specialises in rattan daybed sets, rattan sun loungers, and other contemporary garden furniture.

With the British summertime shaping up to be the usual bouts of intense sunshine and rainy showers, you may be wondering whether to invest in some rattan garden furniture or not. After all, if you have to spend most of the time moving it inside to keep it dry and safe from the changing weather conditions; you may decide that you’d be better off without it. If you were purchasing traditional rattan garden that might be the case.

However with a weather-proof outdoor sofa you can indulge in some peaceful time enjoying your garden in the fine weather, and you won’t have to worry about what happens to your new purchase when it starts to rain (which knowing the UK it eventually will!).

Weather-proof garden sofa sets are specific items of PU rattan luxury garden furniture, and as their name suggests they are able to withstand all the different weather conditions that we typically experience throughout the year. Surprisingly, there are varying types of weather-proof outdoor garden sofas, ranging from those that require minimal maintenance to those that can only withstand milder weather conditions.

To ensure that your new sofa, rattan sun lounger or rattan daybed for your garden is as fuss-free a purchase as possible, you will need to choose one that is 100% weather proof and made from a strong and sustainable mixture of synthetic rattan materials, instead of one that is made from a mix of rattan and PU.

In addition to being weather-proof and suitable for year-round use, these particular items of luxury garden furniture are also very easy to care for and maintain. They often require nothing more than quick surface cleaning, and unlike the more traditional types of outdoor sofa made with natural materials they don’t need to be primed with protective varnishes or covers before you use them outside.

These easy-to-care-for sofas are also completely family and pet friendly, too, so every member of the family no matter how young will be able to safely enjoy their comfort and luxury.

In addition to being totally weather-proof and virtually maintenance free, contemporary garden furniture purchased from such luxury patio furniture specialists will also come with extensive guarantees and warranties just in case.
For more details please check out the Luxury Patio Furniture Blog.

'Fabulous perennials – join the garden party’

It’s summer and the BBQ invites start coming thick and fast. But have you been invited to a Royal Garden Party this year? If you have, lucky you, however, if you’re like me and have never been invited then why not take your cue from Royalty and host your very own garden party. Every summer, the Queen hosts at least three parties at Buckingham Palace, as well as one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. Over 8,000 people from all walks of life attend each of these parties.

Now I know that most of us can’t compete with the Queen – My garden could probably hold 18 guests rather than 8,000. When it comes to invitees, it will probably be the same familiar faces that normally come to my plain old BBQs. So let’s all inject some excitement this year with the wow factor of fabulous perennials that flower in the garden year after year. This month we have a trio of garden lovelies that never fail to impress!

Our first pick is Astilbe commonly known as False Goat's Beard or False Spirea. Astilbes are very easy to grow and will reward you year after year with a reliable show of ornamental plume-like flowers in delicate hues of white, pink and red. The blooms are held high on erect stalks above clouds of foliage. Bonus benefits are the length of time they bloom and the fact that they are generally pest free. They grow well in shady areas and add interest and texture wherever they are planted. Plants to seek out are Astilbe ‘Fanal’ which produces dense panicles of dark crimson flowers or the intriguing Astilbe ‘Perkeo’ which produces pyramidal spires of pink flowers.

Next on the guest list is Astrantia, not a particularly common plant in UK gardens although it should be! Its unusual looks are characterised by densely packed flowers on oval bracts. This flower/bract configuration give the plant a star like quality – which seems to have influenced the name: Astrantia is said to originate from Astron, the Greek word for star. Look out for Astrantia ‘Sunningdale Variegated’, with its wonderful foliage or the pretty Astrantia major which produces green, pink or sometimes deep purple-red flowers.

Our last guest is by no means the least… Geum is a versatile garden plant that loves the sun but can also thrive in partial shade. The flowers are most common in flame shades of fiery red, burnt orange and molten amber. The dark green foliage is covered in stiff hairs and the plants are very effective as bedding plants or when used in borders. Geum chiloense ‘Fire Opal’ is a stunning plant, producing reddish-orange flowers on purple stems. For rock gardens consider Geum montanum with its deep yellow flowers produced on short stems.

Any garden party will be enhanced with these wonderful plants as part of the backdrop. Who cares if the guests aren’t the high and mighty of the land, as long as you enjoy their company? Have fun!

Seasonal highlights June
Gardening is for everyone and in June it couldn’t be easier to interest the most reluctant participants. Get children started this summer with their own pots or mini-garden. Some retailers are promoting special ‘children’s’ seeds and plants this year and many now invite school parties in to do hand-on activities. If you have elderly neighbours or relatives, try to give them a helping hand with their gardens – it could rekindle an interest for them.

The longest day falls towards the end of this month and carried enormous significance for our forebears as a key point in the year. Even in the south of England the long evenings are a delight, giving extra energy and zest to life, but the further north you go the days just get longer. In the far north of Shetland there is very little night at all at this time of year and the animal kingdom is active virtually around the clock.

Perform Simple Battery Checks Before Revving Up Lawnmowers, Advises CTEK

As summer falls upon the northern hemisphere, eager gardeners everywhere are turning to their lawnmowers to tackle their unruly yards. Experts at CTEK, an industry-leading manufacturer of smart battery chargers, are urging gardeners to undertake simple battery maintenance to ensure their machines are ready for their summer tasks.

Seasonal equipment like lawnmowers can be particularly susceptible to battery failure due to long months of dormancy. Before starting the machines for the first time, owners should examine battery terminals to make sure they are stable, tight, and free from dust and chemical residue. Charge levels should be determined to ascertain whether the battery needs further charging prior to use. Additionally, lawnmower users should always use chargers approved for outdoor use. This means that they have been safety tested to withstand the dampness and dust found commonly in outside environments.

When selecting a charger for their lawnmowers, consumers should be aware that advances in battery technology mean that the devices are more complicated than ever and that they should be paired with an equally advanced charger. Not all battery charging products are appropriate for smart battery maintenance because many utilise a generalised approach, charging all batteries in the same way with a steady level of unregulated current. This can shorten the lifespan of a battery by undercharging or overcharging it.

Jan-Ulf Soderberg, head of brand and marketing at CTEK, says: “It is vital that lawnmower owners make sure their chargers adhere to the correct voltage in order to avoid damaging their batteries. If a battery is charged at too high a voltage, it can overheat and dry out, which causes acid corrosion. If a battery charges at too low a voltage, it will eventually lose capacity, dying gradually.”

“We recommend that people use state-of-the-art technology that provides proper battery protection to ensure a longer lifespan. The best smart chargers keep both the user and the battery safe from harm. Lawnmower owners should choose a charger that is splash and dust resistant, fully automatic, non-sparking, reverse polarity protected, and short-circuit proof.”

For more information about CTEK and its range of smart battery chargers, please visit www.ctek.com.

BBC Gardeners’ World Live gives 3 Midlanders the chance to have a one to one meeting with local Gardening star David Domoney

Do you spend hours planning out your garden and feel like you never quite get it right? Are you planning your garden for the summer and are not sure what to do with that difficult corner that gets no sun? Or are you just planning a fabulous vegetable patch and want to know what plants will go nicely next to each other to make the most out of your space?

Now is your chance to discuss your ideas for your garden with David Domoney – The best three applications submitted will win the opportunity to have a private half hour meeting with RHS award winning designer David on site at BBC Gardeners’ World Live on Thursday 14 June or Sunday 17 June 2012.

To apply please visit www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com/regionaldesigners and upload your design. You will also be given the chance to explain in three hundred words why your plan for your garden should win and why you should be given the chance to meet David Domoney to discuss your design.

BBC Gardeners World Live runs from the 13–17 June at the NEC, Birmingham.

Deadline for entry 8 June 2012

Winners will be announced 11th June 2012. All winners must be available on Thursday 14th June or Sunday 17th June 2012

You can apply if you are from the following Midland's boundaries:

Derbyshire
Gloucestershire
Herefordshire
Leicestershire
Northamptonshire
Nottinghamshire
Oxfordshire
Rutland
Shropshire
Staffordshire
Warwickshire
West Midlands
Worcestershire

Highlights include:

With stunning features, great nurseries and top experts, keen gardeners will find inspiration throughout the whole Show. Some of the Show’s most popular features will be back again this year including the live demonstrations in the BBC Gardeners’ World Theatre, the Grow Your Own Garden, the RHS Show Gardens, our famous Edible Patches, and the RHS Floral Marquee sponsored by Renault.

London College of Garden Design Forecasts Top 10 Design Trends at Chelsea 2012

The London College of Garden Design has forecast the top ten design trends that we’ll be seeing at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2012. With input from some of the big design names here’s their top ten trends to look out for.

1. Technology hits Chelsea big time with QR codes that made a showing last year translated into giant planted walls and Ipad inspiration for rooftop living as shown in Pat Fox’s show garden.
2. British countryside planting evoking country lanes and grassy meadows – see The Caravan Club Garden by Jo Thompson.
3. Health and home is big with exhibitors showing how gardens add to our health such as the Herbert Smith Artisan Garden for Wateraid.
4. And home workspace gardening is back throughout the show – check out the Rooftop Workplace of Tomorrow
5. Edibles are still on the menu but this year it’s heirloom varieties that are big – see The Plankbridge Hutmakers Artisan Garden
6. Perspex is one of the ‘in’ materials and appears all over the show both in the new Fresh category with conceptual ideas as well as Artisan spaces.
7. We have water everywhere but this year there are lots of eco ideas for storing and recycling – great ideas for our drought laden gardens.
8. Classical topiary marries up with garden history but this year its Beech that will be the big draw on a number of show gardens.
9. Stone walls were big in 2011 and are once again with us in 2012, especially as low benches and space dividers.
10. Green oak is making a big comeback as designers reconnect with softer materials.

FACTFILE:
The London College of Garden Design aims to offer the best professional garden design courses available in the UK. Launched in 2008 by three of the UK’s leading garden professionals, the London College of Garden Design one-year Garden Design Diploma classes take place in the Orangery conference facilities at the world famous Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Find out more about the LCGD at www.lcgd.org.uk/

Siberia beckons for leading UK Garden Designer at Fisher Tomlin

Fisher Tomlin design

Renowned UK garden designer Andrew Fisher Tomlin is off to Russia in June to inspire Siberian garden designers with the potential for new home gardens. 

Andrew will be in Chelyabinsk as a guest of Malinki Village, a brand new development that is aiming to inspire its customers by providing a full garden design service and inspirational ideas.

Andrew said “We already have successful design partnerships across Europe and the Caribbean creating contemporary gardens for stunning new architect-designed homes.

"Malinki have picked this up and asked us to help them promote great gardens in their new development. We have had projects in Russia before but this is a different development where we’ll be bringing garden design to a whole new audience in a rapidly developing region.”

Fisher Tomlin design gardens in regions with more extreme climates than the UK. In some regions such as St Vincent in the Caribbean there can be many distinct climates that require local responses using indigenous plant material as well as sourcing of local hard materials. As Andrew says “It’s a regular challenge for us to use native species and local material. We are always learning which is why we have found that having a partner on the ground is so vital.”
 

www.fishertomlin.com

Swarm season starts: bees just doing what comes naturally - Don’t Panic!

Come spring-time, honey bee colonies start to build-up their numbers and if they run out of space in their hive, they swarm. The public should not be alarmed if they see or come across a swarm of honey bees. They are doing what honey bees do and are not remotely interested in humans. In fact before leaving their hive the bees fill up their stomachs with honey and are rather mellow; their sole intention is to find a new home to build-up a new colony.

With honey bee numbers under threat we can ill afford to lose swarms; beekeepers are anxious to collect them and give them a new home in one of their empty hives. Swarms left uncollected are unlikely to survive, which means lost honey production but even more importantly, fewer of these hard working insects to pollinate crops, including our favourite fruits and vegetables.

The public can help by contacting a beekeeper through the BBKA’s Swarm Watch Hotline by calling 07896 751205. More information is available on the BBKA website.

Despite greater awareness by the public of the huge contribution honey bees make to our food supplies through pollination, not to mention the honey they produce, a swarm of bees still has the propensity to scare. A recent survey of over 2,000 adults in the UK suggests that over a quarter, 28 per cent, of respondents would be ‘worried’ if they saw a swarm, and a further quarter would be ‘terrified’. And while a third said that they ‘would do nothing’, others confessed that they would ‘run like hell’ or ‘scream’.

 As long as the swarm is not provoked it will not do you any harm but it is important that they be collected by an experienced beekeeper. If left to their own devices they may choose to set up home in the nearest convenient spot which could be a chimney or other inaccessible place.

A further issue relating to swarms is that people mistake groups of other types of bees or wasps for honey bees. Around three quarters of calls to the British Beekeepers Association are actually about wasps’ nests, bumble bee sightings, or other flying insects and this confusion is quite an issue for the BBKA, a small charity run mainly by volunteers. People can check if what they have seen is a swarm of honey bees or not by going to its website: http://www.bbka.org.uk/help/do_you_have_a_swarm.php

If people really want to help beleaguered honey bees further and get a little involved themselves, they can join the Adopt a Beehive scheme, www.adoptabeehive.co.uk, which raises money for honey bee research and to help develop beekeeping skills.
Adopt project leader, Nicky Smith says: “The Swarm Watch Scheme can help save honey bee colonies. And the more well trained beekeepers we have and greater understanding the public has of honey bees, the better it is for these vital, hard-working and fascinating creatures”.

BBKA’s Key Facts About Swarms
Why do bees swarm?
• Honey bees swarm because they are looking for a new site to form a new colony. It is a natural and positive means of population increase
What is a swarm?
• Each swarm contains a queen bee and around 20,000 worker bees
• Wasps and bumble bees don't swarm, so if you see a swarm it will be made up of honey bees.
When do bees swarm?
• The swarming season is from April to July, but the peak is from early May to Mid June.
Keep calm and carry on!
• Swarms are not dangerous unless disturbed or aggravated (for example if sprayed with water). Left alone, swarms are harmless.
• Because they only rarely survive in the wild, honey bee swarms need to be captured by trained personnel/beekeepers and placed in beehives where they can form a new productive colony.
• Your local swarm coordinator http://www.bbka.org.uk/help/find_a_swarm_coordinator.php
• Alternatively, contact the local council or police station who can also offer advice.

Obviously, beekeeping is not for everyone. So the BBKA (British Beekeepers Association) has set up a scheme called Adopt A Beehive. Members of the public make an annual donation of £30 to the scheme which supports research and education into beekeeping and bee health. Supporters receive a welcome pack, a quarterly newsletter and regular updates from the regional beehive they have adopted. More information is available at www.adoptabeehive.co.uk.

With over 23,000 members and growing, the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) is the leading organisation supporting honey bees and beekeepers within the UK. It aims to promote and further the craft of beekeeping and to advance the education of the public in the importance of bees in the environment www.bbka.org.uk

About Adopt a Beehive:
Adopt A Beehive is the official fundraising scheme of the BBKA set up to raise money for research and support the honey bee www.adoptabeehive.co.uk

BBC Gardeners' World Live & BBC Good Food Show Summer

It's good to know that kids go free to BBC Gardeners' World Live and the BBC Good Food Show Summer on Family weekend. On Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th paying adults can bring up to two children under 18 into the Show for free. Plus children under 5 get free admission into the Show everyday.

The Shows are aiming to help parents encourage their children to get involved with cooking, gardening and show them Britain's great variety of food and above all to have fun!

Monty Don says: "BBC Gardeners' World Live is a great way to educate children on gardening and food, giving them the chance to see how it is grown and where it comes from. Both shows merge fantastically together to encourage children to enjoy growing their food and cooking it."   

Celebrity chef James Martin says: "BBC Good Food Show Summer is a fantastic way to teach children about healthy eating. They can learn how to grow their own food and then cook it up into something delicious. It's the perfect summer day out for all the family with activities all day long including: arts and crafts, entertainment and lots of wonderful food and gardening."

Highlights

Gardeners' Green

Visit the ever-popular Gardeners' Green area of the Show for family entertainment at the weekend, including special appearances from children's book "Garden Crafts for Children" author and Chelsea Flower Show award-winning garden designer; Dawn Isaac. Dawn gets kids involved with all sorts of arts and craft activity including vegetable and herb gardening, growing projects and simple crafts.

Plus Gardeners' Green gives families the chance to enjoy music from a live band and play garden games and activities provided by the centre of Ecology & Hydrology such as Ladybird top trumps.

Families also have the opportunity to visit Picnic Hill where they can eat their lunch outdoors whilst watching gardening experts like Monty Don and Alan Titchmarsh give tips on the Grow Your Own Garden.

We also have the Guide Dogs from Leamington Spa back again this year. Each day they will have 2 slots at Gardeners' Green, where families are able to see how the amazing dogs are trained. 

Shopping

There are a host of children friendly goods on sale including goods from Little Pals who give children the opportunity to start their cooking from a young age with fantastic cupcake baking sets, cookie baking kits and great party sets which is great fun for kids. Kids Cooking Company has bright, fun character cookware for children as well as their own kid's recipe book, ideal for all budding little chefs. Both Little Pals and Kids Cooking Company also have a great range of gardening goodies for children to choose from tools, pots, watering cans and so much more.

Out in BBC Gardeners' World Live children can admire the delightful chickens, ducks and even rabbits from Feathers, who build animal runs. 

The great day out pavilion within the Countryfile Magazine Area is the perfect place to gain inspiration for fun family days out.

The Experts  

BBC Gardeners' World Live experts including; Monty Don; Alan Titchmarsh; Carol Klein; Joe Swift; Adam Pasco; David Domoney and James Alexander Sinclair will be giving fantastic live demonstrations, talks and master classes so all visitors can make the most out of their tips and take that advice back to their own gardens.

Plus, family foodie favourites will be appearing at the show including: James Martin; the Hairy Bikers; John Torode; Gregg Wallace; MasterChef Champion 2012 - Shelina Permalloo; Olly Smith; Michael Caines and local chef Glynn Purnell   

Parenting Room 

For parents with young children who need to be fed or changed, our parenting room is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the show floor. Open from 11am daily and situated in Suite 27 in the Atrium, our Parenting Room has baby changing facilities, complimentary nappies, high chairs and bottle warming facilities

One ticket includes entry to both BBC Gardeners' World Live and The BBC Good Food Show Summer.

To book and for more information please visit www.BBCGardenersWorldLive.com

or www.BBCGoodFoodShow.com

That's Education: Primary School Wins Hartley Greenhouse in RHS Comp...

That's Education: Primary School Wins Hartley Greenhouse in RHS Comp...: Hook Lane Primary School, in Kent, has won a greenhouse from Hartley Botanic, worth £2500, for staging the most ‘inspiring’ Get Your Growi...

Workshop; gardening for wildlife with green roofs and floral meadows

Q Lawns' are hosting a wildlife gardening workshop on thursday 12th July 2012.

Starting with a light breakfast at Brandon House Hotel on the Norfolk/Suffolk Border, this promises to be an educational and entertaining day with talks, tours, photo opportunities and the chance to learn more about green roofing and wild flower meadows.

Check out their video

The event is open to journalists, garden writers, photographers and garden designers and is an excellent opportunity for networking and talk directly to the growers of Enviromat sedum matting and Meadowmat wild flower matting, ask any questions you like and find out about new product developments that are in the pipeline.

Also featured will be the NEW Enviroden curved roof and the Envirobutt water storage system.

The cost is just £20 and includes all refreshments and tours.

For more information and a booking form, please contact Angela Lambert on 01842 828266 or email to angelal@qlawns.co.uk

Garden designer, Andrew Fisher Tomlin, reveals new floating bird hide design

 International garden design company Fisher Tomlin have just revealed details of a new floating bird hide designed for a wildlife park in Normandy. The unique idea aims to get bird watchers up close and personal with migratory birds on a series of wildfowl lakes at the park. Bird watchers can enter the hide at the bank and then gently float out into the lake without disturbing other wildlife to watch the birds.

Founding director Andrew Fisher Tomlin said “This has been a bit of a departure from our usual work but a very logical one. We are increasingly involved with designing habitats for wildlife and in recent years have worked on a number of ecological projects including the new wetlands on the London 2012 Athlete’s Village. So designing opportunities for visitors to enjoy the benefits of wildlife habitats is a natural progression.”

Fisher Tomlin have previously designed wildlife houses including a bee hotel for ‘Beyond the hive’ that is now housed next to Smithfield Market in the City of London. The new bird hide will be built and launched in its new location in the near future.

Fisher Tomlin create gardens from their offices in Wimbledon, London and Chobham in Surrey. The company provides design and horticulture services for residential gardens and parks across Europe and beyond for which they have received a number of international awards.

Website address - www.andrewfishertomlin.com

Terram Protecing our green spaces in droughts

Keeping our green and pleasant land just that, is proving to be an increasing challenge for British gardeners and landscapers, especially in light of the hosepipe ban imposed by seven UK water suppliers this week effecting over 20 million homes and businesses.

Our parks and green spaces are under threat following one of the driest two-year periods on record, and this year brings increased pressure to the industry in the form of the Olympic Games where the eyes of the world will be upon us expecting an English Country Garden in full bloom.

Although hosepipe ban concessions have been made for specific Olympic venues, the challenge is on especially in tourism locations to maintain the appearance of green spaces, and landscapers are increasingly looking to new technologies designed to retain water and boost the longevity of grassed areas.

The Terram product portfolio offers landscapers and professional gardeners a number of solutions which assist in retaining much needed moisture for grassed surfaces.

Turf Carpet™ is a mature ‘soil-less' grass growing in a biodegradable felt especially designed to retain moisture, give strength and flexibility. The felt itself is made from recycled British textiles, and acts as barrier to weeds as well as retaining water to promote establishment.

Suitable for temporary or permanent use in landscape architecture, grass flooring, green roofs and exhibitions, Turf Carpet™ can be rolled out for an instant green effect with minimal mess. It can also be used with a number of different grass types including hardwearing, drought tolerant, fine lawn, low maintenance, and wildflower and can be grown to order.

Good irrigation is a vital element of any landscaping project, porous pavers offer excellent drainage options and in drought conditions can help support water retention. BodPave 85 pavers unique interlocking cellular structure can be filled with soil and seed to create a natural grass surface, the cells retain water to help promote growth.

BodPave 85 is manufactured from 100% polymer and is suitable for both grassed and gravel retention, as well as SUDS source control applications.

For further information visit www.terram.com or call 01621 874200.

Spades to the ready - it’s National Gardening Week!

It’s National Gardening Week this week and the McTimoney Chiropractic Association offers the following advice to all would-be and experienced gardeners.

We all want to be out in our gardens now the days are longer and the sun is attempting to shine. However keen you are feeling to get digging and raking, you should take a little care to ensure that you don’t give yourself a back injury on your first day.

The McTimoney Chiropractic Association (MCA) has the following advice to help you remain injury-free:

• Take it steadily! Think of your garden as a gym and give yourself breaks every 15-20 minutes; also try to swap activities regularly so you don’t strain your back or joints. Make sure you warm up with gentler tasks first rather than getting stuck into heavy digging straight away.

• You will find that if you take up a daily stretching programme you will notice a marked improvement in your movements. Stretching increases flexibility and strength, so digging, raking or weeding becomes easier as you increase your core strength. The MCA has a useful free leaflet which shows and describes a wide range of back exercises.

• Use tools that are right for you! It sounds silly, but if you are using a spade which is too short, you will constantly be bending over it and are very likely to get stiff and become inflexible. The same applies to your lawnmower – find one that does not encourage you to swing it from side to side as this causes stress on your back and surrounding muscles. Test drive a few different types of each item before you buy to find the best fit for you.

• Balance yourself by carrying two watering cans or two pots of roughly the same weight. Don’t heave large bags of compost, instead use your lifting barrow or wheelbarrow to move them. Pick items up with bent knees and a straight back.

• When weeding, try and use a proper weeding pad. Some have raised side handles which you can use to help yourself up by using your legs/knees. Try not to over-reach into your flower beds and invest in a long-handled, lightweight hoe if you have wide flower beds. If you are kneeling, take regular breaks, get up carefully and have a stretch.

• Try and design your garden with your back in mind. Raised beds and selected low maintenance plants are now popular with busy gardeners.

• If you do have a potting shed or greenhouse, make sure that work benches are the correct height to avoid stooping.

If you do inadvertently strain your back a few trips to your local McTimoney chiropractor should be able to help. The McTimoney technique is very precise and gentle and can used by gardeners of all abilities and ages. The McTimoney Chiropractic Association website has a ‘search a chiropractor’ facility to show you where to find your nearest chiropractor or do call our office on 01491 829211 if you would like a back care leaflet.

Muntons new steel plant supports for herbaceous borders

Muntons new herbaceous plant supports

You will be inspired by these attractive and hand-made-in-the-UK plant supports.

Their rusted mild steel plant & shrub supports and arches are topped with steel balls. Uncoated they develop a natural oxide and soon achieve a lovely mellow rust patina which is why they blend seamlessly into your garden ... where they will last for many years.

Hand-made in England using solid 12mm mild steel, all their supports are welded together into a single piece requiring no self-assembly. Yes, that's right! No flatpack self-assembly, no tubular steel frames, no nuts and bolts, just welded steel which is why they guarantee them unconditionally.

Choose from supports for herbaceous clumps; supports for shrub roses; obelisks for roses and clematis; step-over apple supports; steel containers for olives and bay trees

Herbaceous plant supports (35-95cm dia)
This new range of circular supports will elegantly contain peonies or any herbaceous clump with a tendency to flop – they use them also to hold together clumps of agapanthus, alstreomarias, campanulas and smaller asters. Larger ones suit tall michaelmas daisies, shrub roses or delphiniums.
Price £35-85 delivered

Steel planters (45cm x 45cm)
Their new range of planters are made in three sizes; their ball feet lift them off the ground enabling them to stand outside all year round without damage from even the severest winter! They are large enough to contain an olive or laurel tree or equally stunning with a display of early spring bulbs or summer bedding.
Price £150-190 delivered.

Obelisks (2.5m)
A single 2.5m obelisk, either circular or square, adds height and architectural interest throughout the year. Ideal for roses and vigorous climbers, they can support scented columns of sweet peas or other annual climbers that need room to grow. Use alone or in multiples in the kitchen garden as robust runner bean supports that will not collapse under the weight of the beans ... and they make harvesting easy.
Price £185 delivered

Abinger obelisks (1.5m & 2.5m)
These elegant, architectural obelisks are ideal for roses and other vigorous climbers. Use singly or in pairs to provide a focal point either side of a path gateway.
Price £185-225 delivered

Rose arches (2.5m)
Define a walkway through your garden, or frame a seating area or a garden gate with roses or trained hedges. Our arches are not just well proportioned but, as your roses grow to maturity, they are robust enough to take the weight of the plants. They make an equally reliable support for a laburnum or wisteria walkway
Price £205 delivered

Raised bed supports
Height and length can be adjusted to accommodate the dimensions of raised beds or lengths of walls. These easily-installed systems (with a metal hook to hold the horizontal in place) are useful round asparagus beds; training step-over apples or espaliers or keeping broad beans and peas upright. Use them to edge a raised vegetable border or lift perennials such as catmint or hardy geraniums that flop onto the lawn or pathway.
Price £30-40 delivered

Steel stakes
Their ball-headed stakes are perfect for staking plants & vegetables and restoring tidiness year-round. Use instead of bamboo to support plants prone to flop or to keep nets & fleeces in place over vegetables
Priced £30-45 per set of 6 delivered.

Check out the Muntons website for more details.

Get your own slice of paradise with a butterfly jungle

With an ever growing awareness of our declining Flora & Fauna, interest in conservation and attracting wildlife into our gardens is becoming more popular. 

Loss of habitat in the wild has caused a decline in our native butterfly species. Providing a predator free environment for native butterflies local to the area, which can then be released, will help boost the UK population.

Encouraging butterflies to breed in a garden is a tricky prospect; female butterflies can be very picky. A netted outdoor structure planted with Nectar Source and Caterpillar Food plants will enable native butterflies to breed in their natural habitat without the added danger of predators eating their pupae.

If you do not have room for an outdoor structure, getting butterflies into your garden is the first step, getting them to stay and breed and therefore build up the declining numbers is the second and important one. Butterfly gardens do not have to look messy or unstructured; many butterfly friendly plants can be grown beautifully within a current garden set up.

A garden planted with a variety of nectar rich flowers that provide food at different times of year is a perfect habitat for a butterfly. Plants such as Lavender, Aubrietia, knapweed, primrose, cowslip and scabious work wonderfully in a border backed by larger shrubs such as buddleja.

It is not just our native species that are in danger. With the destruction of the rainforest, many exotic species are also on the verge of dying out. By having a tropical environment for these species to thrive in, we can provide a sustainable living for the butterfly farmers and help to develop and protect the rainforests in which they live and work.

Most Conservatories and Greenhouses make excellent Indoor Butterfly Gardens for the Tropical Species. These are a great education tool as Children can observe the life cycle first hand and learn about the Environment and Ecology of the Rainforest habitats.

Could you imagine a future without butterflies?

For further information please visit www.butterflyjungles.com

A spokesman said: We are a company that specialises in creating both indoor and outdoor butterfly gardens.
We offer several services that can help to attract native butterflies and other wildlife back into people’s gardens; from bespoke packages through to consultancy on current set-ups, from a wildflower meadow to a small wildlife friendly section in a garden. We also offer a range of Butterfly plants and shrubs both hardy and tender, wildflowers and herbs and other plants suitable for attracting wildlife.

"By bringing the exotic species into conservatories and greenhouses, we can help to sustain Butterfly Farmers in the tropics and work towards developing and protecting the rainforests in which they live and work."

That's Food and Drink: BBC Good Food Show Summer Announces All Star Line ...

That's Food and Drink: BBC Good Food Show Summer Announces All Star Line ...: The BBC Good Food Show Events team will be rolling into town once again for their annual Summer Food Show and today announce they will be br...

Activities at RHS Gardens this Jubilee June

Looking for an inspirational day out for the whole family this Jubilee June, where you can entertain adults and children alike with relaxing walks and a variety of events all in one place? Then families need look no further than their nearest RHS garden for a fantastic day out.

With summer weather now upon us, witness the fabulous plants at last exploding into leaf and flower; with activities from lunches to teas, and gifts from plants to pots, there is something for all the family to enjoy:

Spring Half-term, 2-10 June
Enjoy activities and events at each of the four RHS gardens, where local schools have been busy designing, planting and creating miniature gardens to be on show at the gardens. During the half term you can view and vote for your favourite design. Get your hands dirty and join in trails and fun craft workshops.

Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend, 2-5 June
Enjoy Diamond Jubilee celebrations at RHS gardens around the country including:

RHS Garden Rosemoor - Diamond Jubilee Tea Party, 5 June, 3pm-5pm Normal Garden entry applies. Come and celebrate our Patron, Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee where there will be live music and family entertainment with tea and cake available in the Winter Garden. Why not bring the whole family and join the celebrations!

RHS Garden Hyde Hall - Music for the Diamond Jubilee, Tuesday 5 June 2012, 2pm-4pm, enjoy music and cream teas to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee. Normal garden admission applies. Booking not required

RHS Garden Harlow Carr - Jubilee Celebrations, 5 June, local group the Harrogate Brass Band will be playing live music in the garden to celebrate the Queens Jubilee. Normal Garden Admission applies.

Father’s Day Weekend: Great Garden Swap, June 16-17
RHS Great Garden Swap is a chance to turn out your sheds and bring in your unwanted tools, gardening sundries and excess produce to swap for something new. Visitors can swap gardening books, magazines, seeds, equipment, or any kind of herbaceous plant material. Experts will be on hand to help identify plants and give advice to swappers. Normal garden admission applies. Booking not required.

RHS Garden Rosemoor - 16-17 June, 10am-2pm

RHS Garden Hyde Hall - 16-17 June, 10am-2pm

RHS Garden Harlow Carr - 16-17 June, 10am-4pm

RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey

Garden Party, 9 -10 June
Bring the family and join RHS Garden Wisley for their biggest party of the year, celebrating all that is British. Head to Seven Acres to watch Punch and Judy shows, join in the garden games or sit back and relax to toe tapping live music. There are even classic Ballroom Dancing lessons and demonstrations as well as being able to get your hair and make-up styled in the 1940's fashion. The rose garden and country garden will be looking their best in June.

Film Nights, 8-10 June - coming soon, check the website for prices and further information.

The RHS flagship property, RHS Garden Wisley is one of the finest gardens in the world. For more than 100 years it has been a showcase for horticultural excellence, world class plant collections and outstanding large scale gardening displays. With over 200 acres of land, for families, the sheer size of Wisley gives great scope for fun and discovery. There are family trails with ideas of the best spots to explore, things to look out for and fun activities in the garden.

There is even a dedicated RHS Garden Wisley I-Spy book to keep younger visitors on track. Would-be jungle explorers can venture into the Tropical Zone of the Glasshouse, whilst bird lovers can visit the bird hide, or see the ducks on the lake. The arboretum and pinetum are great for spotting pine cones, there is a fascinating ‘plants for bugs’ area and seasonal bug-collecting and insect- identification activities, whilst children of all ages will love the outdoor play area with its naturally created climbing and balancing equipment.

For more information please visit www.rhs.org.uk/wisley

Prices: RHS members plus one guest: free

Adult: 10.50, Child (5-16): £4.50, Children 4 and under: free; Family: (2 adults/2 children) £27.00

RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Harrogate
Located on the outskirts of Harrogate, Harlow Carr captures the essence of Yorkshire within a beautiful garden setting. The garden design replicates the natural spirit of the region, with features evoking the surrounding landscapes, including water features, dry stone walling, wooded areas and also some ornamental aspects redolent of Harrogate itself. For families, the garden offers a combination of wilderness and sense of adventure in a landscaped, self-contained setting, with a log maze, family trails, children’s play area and woodland dens.

For more information, please visit www.rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr

Prices: RHS members plus 1 family guest: free
Adult: £7.50; Child (5-16): £3.75; Children under 5: free; Family: (2 adults/2 children) £20.25 Normal garden admission applies.

RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Essex

Unseen Forces, sculpture exhibition by David Watkinson, opens 28 April
An exhibition by David Watkinson of large organic forms and kinetic sculpture. Taking inspiration from the natural world the exhibits depict seed heads, leaves and fruit amongst others and will be made from a variety of materials such as steel, aluminium and cold cast bronze. (running for six months)

With wide open skies and far reaching views, RHS Garden Hyde Hall is the perfect place for families to discover the great outdoors, with plenty to keep children occupied. Located just outside Chelmsford in Essex, it consists of an 8 acre, intensely cultivated hilltop area, with numerous features, including a colour themed herbaceous border, two ponds, a rose garden, farmhouse garden and woodland garden. This more formal area is surrounded by vast open countryside, with vast swathes of grasses and perennials on Clover Hill, and an estate beyond comprising of developing woodland, hedgerows, bee hives, meadows and pasture. It is a haven for wildlife with multitudes of songbirds and brown hares running across the meadows.

For more information, please visit www.rhs.org.uk/hydehall.

Prices: RHS members plus 1 family guest: free

Adult: £7.00; Child (5-16): £3.50; Children under 5: free; Family: (2 adults/2 children) £18.9

RHS Garden Rosemoor, Devon
Peter Buckley Learning Centre Garden, opens Wednesday 9 May

The new Peter Buckley Learning Centre garden is set to open on Friday 9 May at, helping thousands more school children in the region learn about sustainability, the environment, wildlife and plants.

Quentin Blake Exhibition, 26 May - 27 August, every day
Quentin Blake is one of Britain’s best-loved and most successful illustrators and children’s authors. His first drawings were published in Punch when he was 16. He has illustrated over 300 books with writers such as Michael Rosen, Joan Aiken, and most famously of all, Roald Dahl. Quentin Blake writes and illustrates his own books as well and has also illustrated classic books for adults. For many years he taught at the Royal College of Art, where he was head of the Illustration Department from 1978 to 1986.

He has won many awards and prizes, was appointed the first Children’s Laureate in 1999, and was made a CBE in 2005. In the past ten years he has produced pictures specifically for a number of hospitals both in England and France. This summer, Rosemoor is giving you the chance to come and delight in the art of the man who brought some of your favourite book characters to life from Mister Magnolia to the BFG and Matilda. There will be five groups of pictures on display including the Green Ship and You’re Only Young Twice as well as other Quentin Blake themed items.

Rosemoor’s garden team is recreating Quentin Blake’s Green Ship in the garden. Why not come along and explore! Normal Garden entry.11am-4pm

Nestled in the Torridge Valley in north Devon, just south of the north Devon coast and west of Exmoor National Park, RHS Garden Rosemoor is spread across 65 acres. Within a dramatic backdrop of steep wooded valley sides, it consists of sculptured gardens intercepted by cool restful areas of parkland, meadows and trees. It is a wonderful place for children to explore, with its winding paths and different areas to discover.

The Brash is the family picnic and play area, a natural hideaway in the woods for children (and adults) of all ages to enjoy. With log stepping stones, dens that are perfect for hide and seek, giant bugs to spot and bird feeding there’s plenty to keep everyone busy. For more information, please visit www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor.

Prices: RHS members plus one guest: free
Adult: £7.50, Child (5 -16): £3.75, Children under 5: free; Family: (2 adults/2 children): £20.25

RHS Gifts:
RHS shows - treat your father to a day out he will remember for a long time with tickets to an RHS show. Choose from Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in July and the relaxed RHS Flower Show Tatton Park in Cheshire, also in July. www.rhs.org.uk

RHS Gift Membership - give your Dad a gift he'll thank you for every single day this Fathers' Day – RHS Gift Membership. You’ll be giving him a year of free days out a glorious gardens; The Garden magazine monthly (worth £51 alone), and personalised one-to-one gardening advice from our experts. So nothing need get in the way of indulging his passion for gardening. Plus, you can choose to wrap it up yourself or we’ll send it for you with a personalised message, so he’ll have something to open on the day - all for just £51.