News - Page 41
Taking softwood cuttings is easy to do, and it’s a great way to make new plants at minimal costs. Softwood cuttings are sections cut from the new young growth of plants and grown into new plants. They should be taken from mid-spring to early summer and potted up by mid-summer at the latest to give the new plants time to develop roots before winter.
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It is excellent to make your own birdhouse, and there are many different ways to do this from recycling old household items to buying some wood or a birdhouse kit and making it yourself, DIY style. As long as it is safe, secure, and there is enough room, you are likely to see some of your typical garden birds nesting in no time. If you really want to see what goes on inside the birdhouse as nesting gets underway, there are even wildlife cameras that you can put into the box and watch the egg-laying and hatching action from the comfort of your own home. Here are a few ideas for you to make yours.
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A foretaste of summer, potted mophead Hydrangeas are a popular houseplant gift choice in spring, making a beautiful alternative to cut flowers with their glossy dark green leaves and striking rounded flower heads. Although they’re best grown outdoors, mophead Hydrangeas(the botanical name is Hydrangea macrophylla, and they’re also sometimes called hortensias) can be grown as houseplants for a time in spring, then moved outdoors when the weather warms up. If you’ve been given a potted Hydrangea, here’s how to take care of it.
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When it comes to looking after pond animals, there are various aspects to look out for and take care of. It can be a rewarding experience having a pond in the garden, and there are even ways to have pond wildlife enjoy the water if you have a small space, a balcony, on an allotment, or in a community garden. Here are some ways to encourage pond animals to your garden and how to look after them once they are there.
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Fancy a glass of lemonade made from own fresh lemons from the garden? How about a lovely G&T with a slice of lime from your very own citrus tree? Growing citrus trees takes a little effort, but the results are well worth it. Here are our top tips on caring for a citrus tree.
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Sweet and juicy, nothing tastes better than your own fresh-picked strawberries still warm from the sun. Eat them with cream, slice them over your breakfast cereal, or whiz them up into a delicious smoothie. Here’s how to grow your very own supply of strawberries.
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Are you wondering why you should grow Alstroemeria, and what exactly is it? There are many reasons why growing this plant can bring benefits to you and your garden, which we have included in this article. Often called the Peruvian Lily, Lily of the Incas or Parrot Lily, it is mainly found in the mountainous regions of the Andes but can also be grown in your garden. Here is why you should give this gorgeous plant a try in your garden. Find out everything about the flower of this month: Alstroemeria.
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Gardeners have many pests and diseases to overcome, but one much more prevalent in recent years is the box tree moth. Cydalima perspectalis is native to China, Japan, and Korea but was discovered in Europe in 2007, thought to have been transported over by infected boxwood plants. It is now also found in Canada and North America. Here is some more information on the detection and prevention of the pest.
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May is the month when the garden starts to get going, and there’s plenty to do. And while you’re following our top 15 May gardening tips, don’t forget to take some time just to relax and enjoy watching your garden grow.
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If you’d like to bring Japan into your home with a Ficus Bonsai, now is a great time to get started. Known as the common Fig or Chinese Banyan, you’ll find it growing in Southwest Asia where there are many species both evergreen and deciduous and it is one of the best to grow as a Bonsai.
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What’s more beautiful than a meadow in full flower? Sowing your own wildflower patch! Sadly, most of our natural fields have vanished, but you can recreate one in your garden. You don’t have to have a lot of space – just a small patch of the flowering meadow will provide gorgeous summer colour for your garden, as well as food for butterflies, bees, little birds, and other wildlife. And since you don’t need to mow it every week, you’ll have much more time to sit and enjoy it.
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Whatever size garden you have, using vertical areas can bring a whole new dynamic to your space, plus it means you can fit in even more plants! From walls to fences and any available space you have, we've got these top 6 tips to get you growing upwards in the garden.
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