Monthly Archives: June 2011

HTA unveils 2012 Plant of the Month Calendar

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

The plantmobile returns; off the shopping list plants and more

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,

Rainy days, tying in tomatoes, peas please, lilies at last

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

Plant Fairs, Cottesbrooke Hall Plant Fair, shopping list plants

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

Master Composters, making and talking compost

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

June in the garden is frantic, watering containers, growing mini-cucumbers

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).

Darkness is all; Black Petunias, black-eyed Susan, ornamental sweet potatoes,

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