The HTA has revealed the new collection of plants that will feature in the 2012 Plant of the Month calendar at the HTA National Plant Show taking place at Stoneleigh Park on 28 and 29 June. Highlighting specific groups of plants that are widely available and looking great in garden centres each month, the calendar provides a monthly focus to
Well, the Cottesbrooke Hall Plant Finders Fair was great as far as I and the two friends, who accompanied me were concerned. We left home with time to spare (although mental note made that we should leave earlier next year). We didn’t have to spend more than five minutes in a queue of cars aiming for the parking; there were,
Be careful what you wish for is a phrase I have heard a few times recently. Well, as a gardener, during the past few weeks I have wished for rain – but I always put the proviso on my wishes – gentle rain, during the night. Well, here in Suffolk, we have had several days of steady and at times
Such eager anticipation – a plant sale – but not any old plant sale awaits me at the weekend. It’s the Cottesbrooke Hall Plant Finders Fair (www.cottesbrookehall.co.uk) and it runs from 24 June through to 26 June. Cottesbrooke Hall & Gardens are in Northampton (postcode NN6 8PF). The plant fair is in its fourth year and just gets better and
A year ago I took part in a Master Composter Course. Well, since then I have been styling myself’ Queen of the Compost’, not because I have the biggest compost heap in the county, but because the course has given me added confidence to talk compost to anyone who will listen. And it is amazing how many people do want
Everything has been early this year, particularly roses. I have only a few in my garden and they are in containers, so need water, feeding and dead-heading to keep them looking good. I have planted out courgettes, tomatoes and some purple sprouting broccoli into the ground, and am growing sweet corn ‘Sweetie Pie’ in patio planter bags from Suttons (www.suttons.co.uk).
A plant that was short-listed at RHS Chelsea Flower Show last week was the black petunia – Petunia Black Velvet (‘Balpevac’), which I have been able to trial at home. I was lucky enough to have sample plants in February from GardeningDirect (www.gardeningdirect.co.uk). I grew them indoors in my frost-free and light garden room. They started flowering very early indoors
An award winning wall-mounted hose reel with an automatic rewind function, enabling you to smoothly and easily rewind the hose with no kinks, tangles or effort.
