Call for better large garden advice

Garden designer Andrew Fisher Tomlin has called for more advice to be available to people with larger gardens to encourage them to make productive use of their asset and not sell them for development.

Andrew said "As a company we're lucky much of our work is in the green belt but increasingly we find clients daunted by the prospect of a large garden. Eventually some think it would be better to sell off part of the garden to developers. Whilst we need space for homes we're losing a great natural asset."

Andrew believes whilst there's plenty of focus on small garden design and landscaping there's a growing need to support large garden owners.

"Often owners of these gardens are coming up for retirement and want to know how to look after the garden as they age. There are some great organisations like Thrive helping people carry on gardening but more advice on low maintenance ideas would help."

Andrew's top five tips for reducing the maintenance and cost of a large garden include:
• Cut out weekly lawn cutting by establishing longer grass areas, planting wild flower plugs and bulbs to encourage wildlife.
• Turn over neglected areas of the garden to orchard trees.
• Share your garden with young people who don't have their own garden by sharing the harvested produce.
• Introduce more shrubs into borders to reduce the maintenance created by the trend towards big perennial borders.
• Plant with water wise methods using dense planting to retain moisture in the ground and cut the need for irrigation.

www.andrewfishertomlin.com.

Lock away your garden tools, say police

Police officers are warning gardeners to lock away garden tools to prevent burglars using the equipment to break into homes.

The warning comes after police received reports where offenders used garden forks to break into homes.

The garden equipment is believed to have been left lying in people's gardens and then used by suspects to force their way into people's homes.

Police are asking people to lock their garden tools away to prevent any similar incidents.

A Police spokeswoman said: "During the past couple of weeks there have been a few dwelling burglaries where offenders have used garden equipment, namely garden forks, as a tool to gain entry into the property.

"Police would like to warn householders to lock away their garden tools when they aren't in use to prevent them from being used as a burglary tool.

"With Spring arriving, people will be working in their gardens a lot more, so it's vital they heed this advice and keep their property safe and secure."

Rock your garden with Dog Rocks

Dog Rocks are a proven, natural product that helps prevent urine burn patches on your lawns, shrubs and box hedges.

"We have been supplying Garden Centres and lawn care specialists direct and the volumes have been steadily increasing due to the effectiveness of the product," said a spokeswoman. for says Dog Rocks.

The popularity of Dog Rocks has been phenomenal due not only to the fact that they are a natural, effective solution.

Each pack is of dog Rocks is accompanied by an instruction leaflet and diary reminder sticker.

Dog Rocks start at one pack at £ 12.49 (plus £2.00 P&P) two month's supply based on your dog having one water bowl. Discounted prices for larger orders.

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 and retailers including Pets At Home, Kennelgate Stores, Jollyes, Pampurred Pets, Pets City, Pet Supermarket, Pets Corner, Wyevale Garden Centres, Hillier Garden Centres, Nottcutts Garden Centres and Poplar Nurseries.

For more information please visit www.dogrocks.co.uk.

Gardening for Wildlife with Green Roofs and Floral Meadows

Q Lawns point out that their Meadowmat wild flower matting and Enviromat Sedum Matting is a relatively lightweight solution to creating a living green roof on garden buildings and domestic roofs.

Comprising seven species of drought tolerant sedums growing on a patented matting system, Enviromat creates a wonderful habitat for invertebrates and with its long flowering period, helps support beneficial insects like butterflies and bees.

Enviromat is easily installed by a competent DIYer or, for those not able to work at heights, Q Lawns offers a green roof installation service.

Meadowmat Wild Flower Matting removes the stress out of establishing a wild flower meadow in the garden. 34 species of native grasses and flowering plants are established on a matting system that's unrolled onto prepared ground to create a dense sward of mixed plants.

Depending on the time of year, Meadowmat may be in flower just weeks after installation, providing a rich source of nectar and a great hiding place for invertebrates, small mammals and amphibians.


Meadowmat maintenance is simple and cost-effective. Once established, the plants need minimal attention for six months of the year and only the occasional trim between October and April for neatness.

www.enviromat.co.uk.

Go on Grow your Own! Ten Top Tips for Getting Started

Over the past several years there has been a steady increase in the sales of seeds of edible plants and young vegetable plants as more people turn their hand to 'growing their own'. This trend is set to continue this spring - as yet more people have a go at cultivating their own crops.

Figures from the Horticultural Trade Association's (HTA) Garden Industry Monitor data shows that sales of the seeds of edible plants and young vegetable plants, which have been increasing over the last few years, increased a further 30% in 2008. Along with vegetables it is also anticipated that there will also be an increase in the number of people growing their own fruit this year as well. Coupled with strong media interest and spurred on by high profile celebrities such as Jamie Oliver, many people will decide to take that first step towards growing their own this season.

HTA's Director General David Gwyther said, "Our society is becoming less materialistic, people are becoming more aware of their local environment - whether it be a garden, an allotment or a backyard. The recession is adding to these incentives to spend more time in the garden and less time on external and expensive diversions like eating out and taking expensive holidays.

"This is of course very good news for the UK garden industry which always demonstrates resilience in difficult economic times. Those who are embarking on 'grow your own' for the first time would be well advised to pay a visit to their local garden centre or nursery to set them on their way. Many garden centres are holding events, demonstrations and talks on the 'grow your own' theme and have knowledgeable and helpful staff on hand to help you get started."

He adds, "The key is for those people who are going to try growing their own produce for the first time this year to have success - and then they will be encouraged to continue growing in subsequent years. In time this will help to develop a whole new generation of gardeners - which is great news for the garden industry."

If you are thinking about having a go here are some tips to bear in mind.

Top Ten tips for growing your own
1. Keep it simple - try growing 'easy vegetables' at first such as potatoes, tomatoes, cut-and-come-again salad leaves, chillies, beetroot and radish.
2. Don't be too ambitious - just try a few vegetables first time around
3. Don't be put off if you haven't got an allotment or garden - many vegetables and fruit grow well in containers and hanging baskets. You may just want to grow some herbs on your windowsill or balcony.
4. Consider buying young vegetable plants to simplify the process initially
5. Go along to your local garden centre to get advice and guidance from the experts.
6. Attend a 'grow your own' event at your local garden centre to help get you started.
7. It does not require heavy investment - make use of resources that you have - yoghurt pots, cardboard tubes make great seed pots.
8. Get the kids involved - digging for potatoes is like searching for buried treasure!
9. Have fun, get fit and enjoy the experience.
10. Revel in the satisfaction of eating home grown vegetables!

Site your nestboxes well

Garden birds use nestboxes for shelter over winter as well as raising families in spring, and the RSPB appeals to gardeners to put theirs in the right place now, ready for winter roosting.

Nestboxes don't always sit unused over winter as many think, and you may have some unexpected winter guests.

Many birds use nestboxes during the winter for roosting or feeding. They often use the same boxes for nesting in spring.

We mustn't just erect them wherever we have space. Siting them wrongly could lead to babies baking to death if exposed to too much sunlight when the days warm up in spring.

Richard James, an RSPB Wildlife Adviser says: "It might seem early to think about siting nestboxes but as well as using them to shelter from cold, birds will start looking for suitable nest sites soon.

"Birds often use nestboxes as a place to roost or store food in winter.

"An amazing 61 wrens have been found roosting in one nestbox to shelter from the cold! The warmth generated in a communal roost saves them in harsh winters.

"Its vital that you choose the right place for your box - please don't just put them up on any old bit of wall or fence.

"The direction is vital. Unless there are trees or buildings shading the box during the day, they need to face between north and east to protect them from overheating in strong summer sunshine. This will also shelter them from our prevailing damp south westerly winds."

To find out more about nestboxes and where to site them visit www.rspb.org.uk.

Green finger children? It's on the cards!

A fun way to say thank you with flowers is the latest product from eco-friendly party specialist, www.littlecherry.co.uk.

The unique seeded 'thank you' cards are designed to encourage green-fingered children to venture out into the garden to grow their own flowers.

The decorative thank you tags are made from recycled, biodegradable cotton paper embedded with British wildflower seeds. They are printed with soy based inks and tied with biodegradable ribbon.

Perfect for children's parties to say thank you to the guests, when planted, the cotton paper biodegrades and acts as a mulch to help the seeds grow.

"We know how much enjoyment children get from planting seeds, watering them and watching them grow," said Lucy Brindley of Little Cherry.

"So we decided to combine this love of nature with a small card tag to thank guests for coming which, when planted, turn into beautiful wild flowers."

"It's a great way to encourage young children to develop an interest in nature and growing things. And, as we all know, nothing says thank you like flowers!"

Plan ahead for fruit trees in your garden

Fresh fruit from the garden is very tasty and can beat food miles and supermarket packaging for a few weeks.

Designate a space in your garden, go to a local garden centre were they will have a good variety of Apple and Pear trees at this time of year. Buy a couple of trees. Plant them as soon as possible and by next spring they will be in blossom.

Planting trees has become a popular way to mark a special occasion.  Fruit trees are especially effective at connecting with the seasons during spring, summer or autumn they offer something that can add beauty.  Even in winter they become a focal point and somewhere to hang Bird Feeders.

Apple or Malus, is a vast family with edible and ornamental varieties. All offer blossom in spring, and can be attractive simply as garden trees. Nothing gives quite such a powerful sense of achievement as branches laden with ripening fruit. Pear or Pyrus, is a more individual choice.

There are varieties which are ideally suited to smaller gardens. Local garden centres will stock a range of dessert or cooking apples, including varieties sold in supermarkets, 'Sunset' and 'Fiesta', can easily be grown at home together with Cox's, Braeburn's or Bramley's.

If you are not interested in eating the fruit, choose an ornamental variety. Malus 'Evereste' is a small tree, suited to the domestic garden.  It has a wide pyramidal crown with spring blossom that ranges from light purple to pinkish-white.  In the autumn the fruits are orange and red and last throughout the winter. 'Golden Hornet' has light purple and white flowers in spring with yellow fruits in autumn.

For Pears there are small trees suitable for the garden which will produce either edible or ornamental fruit. October is a good time for planting, as fruit tree growth is slowing but the soil is still warm.

Container grown trees can be planted at any time other than drought or frost if properly fed and watered after planting. Plant fruit trees in fertile soil, where they will get sunshine although apple will tolerate shade. Plant away from underground pipes, and drains. Prune untidy or excess shoots in late winter or early spring.

If you are looking for climbing plants, clematis offer glories at this time, as Garden Centres have reduced the prices to make way for winter stock. Many varieties have large blooms. Rouge Cardinal, a summer flowering type bears red flowers. Royal Velours, produces, as the name suggests, velvety flowers with a red-purple colour, from 4-8cm across. 'Ville de Lyon' produces really big flowers (10-13cm across) that are rich red.

Red foliage is on offer from Virginia creeper or Parthenocissus, a fantastic plant that self-clings to walls, fences and even trees using suckers on the tips of its tendrils. The leaves of most Virginia creepers are brightly coloured in autumn. Parthenocissus Henryana turns bright red as summer fades, as does Parthenocissus Thomsonii.

Virginia creeper is ideal for clothing vertical surfaces that are otherwise uninteresting and may in fact help to keep buildings a little cooler that are in sun drenched courtyards or other full sun positions. Virginia Creepers are sold in pots ready to plant out; it is a great time of year to buy as the Autumn foliage can be appreciated before purchase.

Japanese maple Acer palmatum, is a foliage plant that brings its own specific style to the garden as well as colour. Some maples bear red or coloured foliage right through the growing season, others colour red as autumn comes on. If you're worried that space is a problem, remember that some cultivated maples will live happily for years in pots. 'Crimson Queen' is one container candidate. Otherwise there is great choice for gardens of all sizes.

Beware the ides of March!

And beware the ides of February, too, for that matter!

Gardeners who have been lulled into a false sense of security, with roses still blooming late as January and February which is very unusual and other plants starting to put on growth, tricked into thinking that the spring is already here.

Wiser, older gardeners will not be fooled, however! It is not unknown for a very mild winter to be met by the teeth some very inclement weather , with snow having fallen as late as May Fifteenth in recent times.

So, how can we protect our plants should we get severe February and March wintery weather? Make sure that vulnerable plants are mulched properly. Trees and other plants in outside containers can be mulched and bubble wrap makes an ideal cover to help keep the worst of the frosts away from plants that need a little bit of tender loving care.

If you have a greenhouse, make sure that the heating (if you have any) is working, even late into the season. "Never cast a clout 'til May is out" is a saying that every gardener should remember, as frosts -and even snow, sometimes- is not a stranger to May. If you don't have heating, bubble wrap and mulch also works well in a greenhouse or a cold frame.

Save your water save your money!

If you are on a water meter and you need to water your garden, you can help save money by using so-called grey water for watering plants.

If you wash vegetables before cooking them, save that water in a bucket. Got some tea or coffee left in the pot?

Add that to the bucket, too! You can also use washing up water, but some gardeners reckon you should only use this if you buy eco-friendly washing up liquid, but it's up to you. If it works for you, then that's fine!

You can use this water direct from the bucket or you can put it in a watering can, though you'll have to ensure tea leaves, etc., don't block the holes if you have a rose on the spout!

Re-launched That's Gardening

Welcome to a re-launched That's Gardening.

Over the coming months there will be articles on gardening, book reviews, tests and trials of seeds and tools, recipes and much, much more besides.

And you can now read That's Gardening in your own language, thanks to Google Translate.

Happy gardening!

Chas and His Rock and Roll Allotment

Chas Hodges (Chas of Chas and Dave fame) isn't only a rock and roll pianist; he's also a keen allotment gardener. It's short for a gardening book, 112 pages. Chas thinks many gardening authors pad their books.

Although short on words, it's rich with advice on how to be an allotment gardener.

He helps novices believe they can grow vegetables for the table. He provides information on what tools you'll need and which tools you don't.

He gives tips on digging, how to keep chickens, what crops to try and what to avoid. There's some useful tips on pickling, too. The book touches on the triumphs and tragedies of Chas' East End family. And beer!

It's introduced by Jools Holland OBE, with a plea for more people to grow their own vegetables like Chas.

Thinking of buying this book as a present, be aware Chas uses swearwords to a prodigious, nay, industrial degree!

It's the first gardening book I have read with a language warning!

And one of the few that made me think: "I could do that!" (Apex, www.apexpublishing.co.uk £9.99.)