Gardening tips to water plants while on vacation
Ideally your garden plants would benefit from an irrigation system that is connected to a timer that would then automatically release your outdoor tap water at the times you set. If you're unable to get that system then you could consider wood chip that is drenched before you leave and this would help keep the beds hydrated.
Indoor plants would benefit from being placed in the bath on a towel that is in about 2cms of water, the plants will take up the amount of water they need. TOP
How do I care for a jasmine plant?
Star jasmine is a woody, evergreen climber with dark green leaves that can turn bronze in winter. Mid to late summer the climber will show pure white, fragrant flowers. Grow against a wall in milder climates or in a greenhouse or conservatory in frosty areas. Well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade and protect from cold, drying winds. If indoors, plant in loam-based potting compost in good light but not direct sun. Water freely and apply a liquid fertiliser each month during the growing season, and water sparingly in the colder months. TOP
How Do I Find the Name of a Plant?
Having searched the web, spoken to friends and your local nursery and you're still unsure of the name of a plant it would be worth investing in a good plant guide.
The annual RHS Plant Finder puts gardeners in touch with growers and suppliers of plants - many of them rare &/or unusual. There are more than 70,000 plants in the RHS Plant Finder, a list compiled and updated annually from the catalogues of more than 650 nurseries. The latest edition lists more than 4,000 new plants.
The book is available from the Wisley Bookshop and all good bookshops, priced £14.99; ISBN 978-1-4053-3190-6
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How to grow your own herb garden?
Herbs prefer a hot and sunny position in order to make the highest level of the aromatic oils that give them their smell and taste.
Well-drained soil is a must so growing herbs in pots near the kitchen door is a good idea.
Like all plants they love regular feeding throughout the growing season. Some perennial herbs, such as mint and lemon balm can grow very quickly so try planting them in a big pot and sinking this into the ground. Also remember, a great way to store herbs that you've harvested is to freeze them because this keeps the flavour fresh
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How do you plant English ivy?
Plant English ivy anywhere from full shade to full sun, but keep in mind that a sunny spot may stress it in summer and brown its leaves in winter. Ideally, site ivy on the east or north side of a building or tree. Soil should be well drained, moist, and contain some organic matter. While ivy adapts to both acid and alkaline soil, it prefers that it be slightly alkaline (pH 7.0 to 7.3). Do not encourage ivy to climb a white, south-facing wall because it will suffer from too much summer heat in that situation. TOP
When to plant border lily bulbs?
Plant lily bulbs in spring or autumn, spacing plants 8 to 18 inches apart, depending on variety. Prepare your garden bed by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2 to 4inch layer of compost. Dig a hole about 6 inches deep and set the bulb in the hole, pointy end up. Fill the hole with soil and firm it gently. Water thoroughly. If hungry voles or mice are a problem, plant lily bulbs in buried wire cages to protect them from getting eaten. TOP
What 4 things do plants need to survive?
For a plant to survive and thrive it needs a good balance of daylight, nutritious soil with good drainage and water. Before you buy a plant always consider the conditions it will be planted in and ask your supplier if your plant of choice is suitable. TOP
Best plants for a hedge?
Plants that create good evergreen hedges include the bay, ligustrum, pittisporum, rosemary, euonymus, buxus, ivy and yew to name a few.
When deciding on the best plant for your site remember to take into consideration the height you would like the hedge to grow to, the amount of pruning you will be able to commit to (some plants like the laurel grow very quickly).
Your new hedge need well drained soil and a liquid feed in the growing months. Trim to keep the shape throughout the spring, summer and autumn.
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What color light effects plants growth?
The following lists the best and worst colours to use to help plant growth:
Plants dislike yellow light – this is possibly because it is the main colour in green. So a plant with yellow light will either die as soon as they come out of the ground or grow about 2 inches before dying.
Plants do not like green either, but not as much as yellow for some reason.
Blue is the second best of all the colours to use. I'm also not sure about this, but I'm assuming it's because it's the minor colour in green.
Red is the best light, since it has (almost) no relation to green.
Cellophane isn't necessary - just leave the plant in the sun if you're going to do an experiment. Cellophane magnifies the light, thus burning the leaves slightly. I recommend simply using a coloured light bulb in a box.
All of the above is only relevant if it's a green plant. If it's a purple/red plant like the heuchera then I wouldn't expect a red light to gain the best results.
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What effects does acid rain have on plants?
Acid rain is mostly caused by human emissions of sulphur and nitrogen compounds which react in the atmosphere to produce acids. In recent years, many governments have introduced laws to reduce these emissions.
Plants and crops are badly affected by acid rain. Roots are damaged causing the growth of the plant to be reduced, or even in its death.
Nutrients in the soil are destroyed by acidity.
Useful micro-organisms which release nutrients from decaying organic matter are killed off, resulting in less nutrients being available for the plants. The acid rain fall damages the waxy layer on leaves making the plant vulnerable to disease. The cumulative effect means that even if the plant survives it will be very weak and unable to survive strong winds, heavy rainfall, or a short dry period. Plant germination and reproduction is also inhibited by acid rain.
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When to plant magnolia trees?
Plant balled and bur lapped magnolias when they're dormant, or in late spring after growth has started. Trees grown in containers, however, can be planted whenever the soil is moist. Magnolias do not like being transplanted. TOP
When to plant japanese maple?
Plant any time during the winter and early spring months, October to
December being the best months. Don't add any fertiliser to the soil
at this time because it may burn the roots - water well if the conditions are dry.
Maple trees like part shade which does not get the sun in the afternoon. They also do not like competition from other strong rooted plants and trees. To avoid the need for watering too often, choose a position that is moist but well-drained.
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freesia bulbs, when to plant?
Freesias are happy to be planted in pots or beds. If you grow them indoors you can help force their growth – make sure they are in well drained soil and in a sunny spot. A good display in spring is possible if bulbs are planted in autumn. The same rules apply if planting outdoors - make sure the bulbs are planted 3 inches apart. TOP
how to grow amaryllis belladonna?
Plant the large bulb early in the winter with a third of it exposed.
Use Potting Mixture 3 and a small pot; an inch of dirt between the bulb and container is enough. Over-potted plants spend their energy in roots and foliage at the expense of flowers. Place the pot in a cool, semi-dark place for four to six weeks, or until top growth is several inches high, when it may be brought into medium light for active growth. Water every 2 or 3 weeks to help the quality of flowers produced. TOP
how to grow fig trees?
Fig trees are easy to grow in warm climates. They need to be planted in an area where they will receive full sun, at least eight hours a day. They should be spaced at least ten feet apart from other trees.
The average fig tree will grow to be ten feet tall and ten feet wide.
When planting a young fig tree, be sure to place it in the hole with the top of the root ball at ground level. Use rich soil with at least
1/3 humus mixed in.
Newly planted fig trees must be kept well watered until they have become completely established. After that they should only need to be watered in times of drought. Avoid over watering as a soggy plant will cause the fruit to split. Fertilize the tree every spring just before the new growth begins.
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when to plant bedding plants to grow in winter?
Bedding plants for winter are usually available from early autumn.
Always opt for the bushy small varieties with lots of buds for the best results. Typical winter bedding plants include cyclamen, pansies, ornamental cabbage and kale, primulas, polyanthus and primroses. Don't forget shrubs like euonymus, vinca and ivy for added colour.
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What jobs should I be doing in the garden in autumn and winter?
This is a great time to plant bulbs for some spring and summer colour. Its also a good time to get the garden ready for the colder months so check your fencing and see if it needs to be treated with some wood preserver to help it through another winter and also take a look at your shed/greenhouse and give them a good clear out.
Other tasks to consider include repositioning or covering your potted plants to help them shelter from any extreme weather conditions. If you think your beds will need helping hands to keep warm why not invest in some mulch this will nourish them and also help keep the weeds in check. The next few months are also a good time to prune shrubs, trees and climbers so that they're ready for next year. Always prune at an angle and never prune back too hard if you're uncertain.
And finally, put some good quality food out for the birds and start to enjoy the changing leaf colour and lovely shadows cast by the lower sunshine.
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What to sow in autumn?
Vegetables to sow now include spring cabbages, Japanese onions, and turnips for green tops, winter lettuces, spinach, endive, corn salad, baby salad leaves and spring onions. TOP
How can I become a greener gardener?
You can start by growing your plants rather than buying them as mature specimens also try your hand at growing your own food such as herbs and vegetables. Also consider investing in a water butt or make one out of an old bin – connect your butt to a down pipe but keep in mind the surface area of the roof you will be collecting water from as the butt will soon fill. Your plants will also benefit from using rain rather than tap water.
Use peat free compost and compost as much household waste as possible such as paper and veg. Borrow tools rather than buy them or visit an online recycling service. Join a local community gardening project to gain more help and advice. Grow plants that are native to your area, by doing this they will probably be able to cope better with less assistance and they'll help attract more wildlife to your garden. And finally stay clear of chemicals and go for solar powered lighting for an evening glow. Reduce. Re-use. Recycle.
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Potted gardens – how to get the best from them?
Consider the place where you want to place the pot – if a balcony, consider a light weight pot that will move well such as fibre glass rather than terracotta. Also consider the amount of direct sun the pot will get as pots made from metal tend to heat up in the sun and can help dehydrate your plant.
All pots need drainage holes and some gravel or some other form of drainage at their base to help keep your plant healthy. There are many styles and sizes on the market to choose from so go for a style that is in harmony with your garden and your budget and go for a pot that is around 6cm bigger than the pot your plant is currently in.
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My lawn is water logged in winter then brown and unsightly in summer. Why?
Your lawn is the biggest plant in the garden and can be often overlooked. It needs good drainage, food and a regular mow in summer. Mow a little and often for the best results. Feed your lawn in spring
and autumn a lawn food from a good garden centre – just follow the
instructions – however, if you mow regularly your clippings can stay on the lawn and do the feeding. Rake regularly to help remove thatch
and moss. Aerate every time you mow if drainage is poor – using a gardening fork, pierce the lawn with holes to help rain water drain away more effectively. If you follow these tasks your lawns appearance should definitely start to improve.
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When to trim a wisteria?
Wisteria are fairly rampant growers that need occasional pruning to keep them within bounds and to encourage flower production - if left
largely unpruned, they will concentrate on leaf growth rather than flowering. As a broad general rule, if you are going to prune vines, it is best to prune them in the period after they complete flowering. Avoid pruning them in the period leading up to their next flowering, because you are likely to inadvertently prune off many of the future
flowering.
How long this window of pruning opportunity lasts depends
upon the vine and is something you will get a feel for with experience. Of course, if the vine is a total mess due to neglect, you may want to prune harshly regardless of the timing so as to get it in bounds and train it for the future. Vines that flower most effectively in the spring, such as Wisteria, do so on the growth of the previous year. Thus, if you prune Wisteria too
late in the previous summer and autumn, you are likely to have a
non-flowering wisteria in the spring because you've pruned away most of the potential flower buds.
In my experience, the latter do not even become apparent until the springtime. It is substantial branches that you want to avoid late pruning on. As you put your garden to bed for the winter, you ideally want your Wisteria to be relatively compact and woody with a lot of short, thick woody spurs. It is the spring flowering before leaf-out which gardeners aim to achieve and towards which proper pruning efforts should be directed – best of luck.
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When to prune roses?
Roses need to be pruned in order to:
Take out old and diseased wood and encourage new flowering shoots. It also helps keep the plant in a good shape with an open centre that
lets in light and air. Prune when the plants are dormant. In mild areas you can prune in the autumn (November), but if your garden gets frosty and cold in the winter then prune in the spring (March/April) when it's a bit warmer. It's important that you cut a shoot properly.
Here are the rules:
1. Always cut just above a bud. You can tell a bud on a stem. If you
look on the stem you will see some lines where the leaf was joined to
it. Just above the line you will see a little nobble. This is the bud
that will grow into a new shoot.
2. Choose a bud that is facing outwards. This bud will grow into a
shoot, so you want one that's going to grow out, not into the centre
of the plant.
3. Cut at a slant, not straight across. By doing this any rain will
run away from the bud, rather than drown it.
4. Make a clean cut, about 1/4 inch above the bud.
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How to water plants properly?
This sounds like a simple task but if you look closer you will see some of your plants need more water than others. It's important to thoroughly soak the soil periodically rather than watering little and more often. Watering little and often moistens just the surface of the soil encouraging shallow rooting and so making the plants more susceptible to drought later on. The best time to water is in the evening to minimise the amount of water lost through evaporation. Watering at this time will also eliminate any possibility of delicate plants getting scorched. TOP
How to keep the snails and slugs at bay?
These creatures have a fondness for very young plants and like to feast on lush plants like hostas. Try placing a rough barrier at the foot of your endangered plants – an uncomfortable border will make it difficult for them to cross such as sharp grit or broken egg shells. Make sure that the barrier is at least 5cm (2in) wide and there are no gaps. Not always a sure way of controlling these little slimy eaters but if you want to give it a go then try cocoa-shell mulch which will at least nourish the soil even if it fails to stop the pests.
Plants in pots can be protected by grease and salt. As they slither up the side of the pot they take up the salt which dehydrates them. Any slugs found away from plants can be treated directly using salt. I'm not a huge fan of this but many customers tell me it works well. Buried jars of beer are irresistible to slugs and snails and they usually leave plants alone and head for the beer, they fall in, can't escape and drown. Slugs also love to eat bran and will happily gorge themselves on it. The bran then swells in their stomach and they explode. It's less effective on snails. Again, not a huge fan but you may want to give it a try.
One customer created a snail and slug sanctuary in their garden with all the plants they loved so that they stayed in that area – unconventional but great fun especially when he found he needed to do an extension to the site.
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What are the golden rules for weeding?
Dig up weeds as soon as they are noticed, preferably when they are still seedlings. Never let weeds flower and set seed. Prevent weeds by covering vacant ground with mulches and groundcover plants. If you need to use chemicals use a glyphosate-based systemic weed killer on problem perennial weeds and to prevent them re-growing from scraps of root and stem left in the soil. Do not compost the roots of perennial weeds and any weeds that have set seed if added to the compost heap you risk transferring them around the garden along with your compost. If time is short make sure you remove flowering weeds first to prevent those setting seed. TOP
