Features

Big trees – friends or threat?

Mark Hinsley defends the importance of trees not only to our landscape but critically providing shelter for homes, crops and prevention from flood damage.

When you were young did you have a big older friend or sibling? You were a little in awe of him/her, even a bit afraid, but this person meant that the bullies would leave you alone.

Consequently, you readily accepted the slightly risky element of the friendship in return for the much wider protection from harm from which you benefited.

Big trees in towns are a similar proposition.

Please take care in the garden

Grenville Sheringham says gardening injuries - from falling off ladders to accidents with power tools makes it vital to keep concentrating when gardening.

One of the great pleasures of gardening is being able to relax and unwind, enjoying the fresh air and exercise. But it is easy to drop one’s guard and have a silly accident, as I recently had the occasion to remind myself.

Summer planting

The start of high summer and hopefully warm weather and the ideal time of year to be planting so how should you deal with purchases at this time of the year.

The months of June and July are often dry and warm, and aren’t the best time for planting.

The soil can be unforgiving and it’s easy to lose plants. But that shouldn’t stop you from buying and adding things into your garden and there are a few practical steps you can take to make sure anything you buy in summer thrive and add instant attraction – or be ready in place for the following year.

How to solve pest and disease problems organically

It’s the time of year when almost every vegetable patch is beset with some pest or disease problems. So what are your options to try and solve things organically?

Organic gardeners usually want to avoid using pesticides of any type, so they try to grow plants in ways that help prevent pests and diseases from gaining a foothold.

These techniques work in any garden—organic or not.

Lovely lobelia

Gill Heavens find a lot more to enjoy and savour from the 370 species of lobelia which offers beauty, diversity and not a little glamour.

What do most people think when they think of lobelia?

Summer bedding, hanging baskets, edging plants?

Make a herb display

Nothing suits container gardening more than herbs. Easy to grow and rewarding, a herb garden is attractive, useful, and can be moved around

Peony perfection!

Gill Heavens delves into the world of peonies, historically revered in the Far East, where they are the flower of spring and whose voluptuous colours can brighten early season beds

Straddling the tail end of spring and the first few weeks of summer, there is something special about peony flowering time.

The name peony comes from the Greek Paeon, a physician to the gods, which alludes to the plant’s medicinal qualities. Zeus turned Paeon into a flower to protect him from his jealous teacher Asclepias.

Jurassic plants for a Jurassic coast

Andrew Verreck from Chestnut Nursery in Poole gives his choice of what plants will thrive and impress in a coastal garden

Gardening in coastal areas whether you are situated on the water’s edge or set a few miles back from the salty brine can be challenging to say the least.

Jobs in the April garden

It’s a good idea to keep a close eye on the weather during April. Frosts are still common, and many plants and flowers may need protection in the form of fleece or cloches. Hopefully, the ground will not be too wet and so now is a good time to finish off digging over your plot in preparation for all the vegetables you are going to grow. As the weather gets warmer, the weeds will grow in earnest. Regular weeding, before they become established, is important.

The arrival of spring can mean fast growth. To keep on top of the garden, plan ahead.

How to save money on gardening this season

Gardening can be an expensive hobby but there are ways to cut back, save money and still enjoy the pleasure of being in the garden

Is gardening getting a little expensive for you?

There’s plants, compost, tools, lawn mowers, pots, more compost, feeds, plant food and so on it goes.

In a recent survey of 1,000 people it was found that 26 per cent were saving as much as £200 a year by growing their own fruit and vegetables. Most in the survey said they were doing it more for fun than a way to save money.

Country Gardener

Widely regarded as the authority on gardening in the south west