Elderflower, Sambucus nigra, inevitably finds its way into a country hedge sooner or later, and it’s far from unheard of to add it to the mix at planting time. It is suitable for growing as a hedge plant, and is desirable for its flowers and fruit that make elderflower cordial and elderberry syrup respectively. However,… Continue reading Cutting Back Overgrown Elderflower in a Mixed Hedge
Cherry Crêpes Recipe
Try something different this Pancake Day Shrove Tuesday is on the morrow, Tuesday 13th February, And you can mix up the usual chocolate or lemon filled pancakes with our delightful Cherry Crêpes recipe. These thin, delicate French style pancakes topped with juicy cherry compote will awaken your senses and satisfy your sweet cravings. Even better,… Continue reading Cherry Crêpes Recipe
Herb-Infused Chicken Katsu Curry Recipe
A Flavourful Twist on a Japanese Classic Indulge in rich and aromatic British herbs in Japanese cuisine with our take on the beloved Chicken Katsu Curry. This recipe combines the crispy goodness of breaded chicken cutlets with a fragrant and herb-infused curry sauce. Behold the delectable fusion of textures and flavours in these succulent chicken… Continue reading Herb-Infused Chicken Katsu Curry Recipe
Do Woodchips Make Soil Acidic, or Take Nitrogen from the Soil?
Questions about mulch in general and in particular the effect of woodchips on soil arise with every generation of new gardeners. People know that woodchips in compost need a lot of nitrogen to break down, so they wonder if woodchip mulch could steal nitrogen from the soil underneath? Likewise, the sap-juices of most trees that’re… Continue reading Do Woodchips Make Soil Acidic, or Take Nitrogen from the Soil?
Rhubarb Fool Recipe
Early-sprouting rhubarb will soon be ready for harvest. Whether it’s your own produce or from your friendly local greengrocer, give this rhubarb fool recipe a try – a delightful pick-me-up for the promises of spring around the corner! Ingredients: Method: 2. Whip the Cream: 3. Combine Rhubarb Compote and Whipped Cream: 4. Chill: 5. Serve… Continue reading Rhubarb Fool Recipe
Why Steven Edholm’s Fruit Tree Pruning Films are Better Than Ours
As a company, we have invested billions (approximately) in producing nicely edited videos about planting and pruning fruit trees Rodney, local movie star and coincidentally our warehouse manager, has been ogled over a million times on YouTube, where his charisma and acting skills steal the show in our best film work to date, how to… Continue reading Why Steven Edholm’s Fruit Tree Pruning Films are Better Than Ours
When do Daffodils Bloom in the UK?
The first wild Daffodil to bloom in the UK, as measured by a car park in Somerset, was 11th February 2024. This is it: Wild Daffodils start flowering when the soil temperatures reach around 10C, usually in February or March. In a warm winter like the one we’ve mostly had this year, we are seeing… Continue reading When do Daffodils Bloom in the UK?
Did You Hear About the Coronation Living Heritage Fund?
The Coronation Living Heritage Fund is a £2.5 million kitty for local authorities to plant more trees in honour of King Charles III’s coronation; applications closed last September. And we completely missed it. In our defence, we have absolutely no excuse. Sure, our failure to inform you in time probably won’t make any difference, because… Continue reading Did You Hear About the Coronation Living Heritage Fund?
Soft Edges in Urban Garden Design
Modern buildings and roads tend to create stark boundaries: all structure with no life Well-thought-out planting will soften these hard lines and corners, and bring them alive, like adding a great painting to an empty frame. In general, you want to employ a lot of evergreen shrubs and climbers that cover things up all year-round.… Continue reading Soft Edges in Urban Garden Design
Results of the RSPB’s 2024 Big Garden Birdwatch
The RSPB’s 2024 Big Garden Birdwatch ended on January the 28th…