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Irish Times
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Why restraining yourself at the garden centre will lead to a more beautiful garden
In a world where maximalism is king, restraint can feel like an old-fashioned concept. Why grow just a couple of different varieties of roses, goes the thinking, when we have space for at least a dozen? Why limit ourselves to a particular colour palette when instead we could enjoy the full kaleidoscope ? Why bother restricting our choices at all, when before us lies the tantalising promise of so much beauty? Self-restraint when you're new to gardening is especially challenging. Faced with a universe of different possibilities, a cornucopia of choice, we can be like kids in the world's best sweetshop, chasing the most powerful of sugar rushes. Logical thinking often goes out the window. Beguilingly beautiful plants that are entirely unsuitable for our gardens or allotments' growing conditions, or for which we have no available growing space, seduce us at summer shows and plant fairs. Gardeners with dry, shady plots impulse-buy inky-blue delphiniums and bearded irises. Others, with hot sunny gardens, succumb to the lofty, leafy charm of shade-loving tree ferns, or the refined elegance of Japanese acers. Dazzled by their sparkling good looks, we buy single potted alliums in bloom at crazy prices, when we could buy 20 or 30 of their fleshy bulbs for the same amount in autumn. Or yet more trays of bedding plants, just because they're being sold at a knock-down price. It's only later that buyer's remorse kicks in. [ Six easy tips for making your garden planters last all summer in Ireland Opens in new window ] Some people fortunate to have hot sunny gardens wind up succumbing to the attraction of shade-loving tree ferns. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA As a gardener capable only of intermittent self-restraint myself, I'm inevitably the proud owner of far too many plants. The current tally includes a bull bay magnolia plus a dozen hydrangeas begging for their own patch of ground. Also, several choice varieties of physocarpus; one gooseberry bush now starting to sulk because of the pot-bound nature of its existence; one winter jasmine (no idea why I bought this); a white-flowering variety of Clematis montana (a rampageous climber, but oh-so pretty in spring); and far too many young seedlings of annuals, biennials and perennials that I didn't have the willpower to resist sowing earlier this spring in the first heady rush of the growing season. READ MORE Temptation to buy is everywhere in the garden centre. These aside, a growing collection of plants, which is as much the result of my impulse buying as it is of thoughtful planning is simultaneously filling up the sprawling sunny beds around our home. It includes yet more roses, a choice variety of euphorbia that I know will get too big, a compact variety of lilac that already looks entirely out of place, and some dusty pink Californian poppies that I couldn't resist. Like an ex-smoker trying to stay off cigarettes, I'm confronted by the fact that self-restraint takes considerable, sustained effort, and that I'm just not always up to the task. [ What are the best vegetables and fruits to grow in a polytunnel? Opens in new window ] Still, I'm determined to try, driven by the knowledge that it pays rich dividends, including some that only become obvious many years later. Self-restraint avoids, for example, the common dilemma of the overly stuffed, middle-aged garden, where every plant is much loved, but the problem is that there are simply too many, and they're planted too closely together. Similarly, it often neatly sidesteps the equally common pitfall of planting trees and shrubs in unsuitable places where they then slowly get too big for their boots, obscuring light and views until they eventually force us to contemplate the gloomy necessity of cutting them down. Self-restraint also reduces the chances of sad plants languishing in pots while they wait for a permanent home, or dying a slow death because they've been shoehorned into an unsuitable spot in the garden. It means no unwanted varieties of fruit and vegetables planted on a whim, before the realisation dawned that we didn't want or need three rows of courgettes, or four kinds of beetroot. It also means fewer weary hours of hard labour spent digging up plants to move them to a more suitable spot, and less time wasted watering and mollycoddling others that had to be planted at the height of summer just because we fell instantly, madly, deeply in love with them. Colour and spice ... and all things nice. Photograph: Fennell Boring as it might sound, self-restraint in the garden also helps give coherence to a planting scheme, one where the plants' individual qualities have been thoughtfully considered in terms of their combined effect. Equally, it limits the chances of clashing colour combinations, or of ending up with short-lived wonders with a limited season of interest, or plants that quickly bully their neighbours into submission. Instead, restrained gardens have a 'rightness' about them akin to looking effortlessly well-dressed. Except, of course, that they're anything but effortless. The only danger is when that valuable self-restraint tips over into rigid self-control. I'm glad, for example, of the impulse buy of an assortment of climbing and rambling roses subsequently used to cloak an old tumbledown stone outbuilding in the garden. Nor do I regret my spur-of-the-moment decision to plant a Persian ironwood, or to sow a late, second batch of white cosmos to stretch out their flowering season. I'm even glad of the single, orange Californian poppy that recently spontaneously self-seeded itself into an otherwise very pale colour scheme. I did, I admit, briefly consider pulling it out before sternly stopping myself, proof that these two, seemingly opposite qualities – spontaneity and self-restraint – are much more comfortable bedfellows than we gardeners might initially assume. This week in the garden This is a great time of year to propagate a wide variety of perennials, shrubs and trees by taking softwood cuttings of young, fresh, healthy growth, a quick, easy and very affordable way to stock a new garden. See for step-by-step instructions. Make sure to give dahalias a warm, sunny, sheltered spot and rich, moisture-retentive but free draining soil. Photograph:Dahlias potted up under cover earlier this spring should now be planted out into their permanent position in the garden or allotment, making sure to give them a warm, sunny, sheltered spot and a rich, moisture-retentive but free draining soil, ideally enriched with some well-rotted manure and a little slow release pelleted organic fertiliser. Soak the root-balls in a weak solution of liquid seaweed feed before planting to give them a head start. Dates for your diary Bord Bia Bloom at the Phoenix Park: Continuing until June 2nd, see It's that time of year once again: Bloom in the Phoenix Park Buds & Blossom Garden Show: Spink, Community Grounds, Abbeyleix, County Laois, Sunday, June 8th (12pm-6pm). With guest speakers John Jones, Colin Jones and Tom Coward, plus specialist plant sales by many of Ireland best small, independent nurseries. Rathmines Open Gardens 2025: Sunday, June 8th, (2pm-6pm). Several private gardens open their doors to the public in aid of charity, along with Trinity Botanic Garden. See or contact Michael Kelly on 087-6697722 for details.
The Sun
17-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
The 7 plants to get in the ground this month, and you'll have a veg patch bursting with life in just eight weeks
IT might seem like too much hard work to some, but there are others desperate to grow their own vegetables and herbs. And with the average time waiting for an allotment in the UK reaching a staggering 37 months, more and more people are choosing to start their own vegetable patches at home. 3 3 Not only does growing produce in the back garden help save money on groceries during the cost of living crisis, it also helps reduce your carbon footprint. While you might not realise it, now is the perfect time of year to get your patches planted - and there are seven plants you need to get in the ground this month. Beetroot "Beetroots don't need much encouragement to grow, making them a low maintenance veg to grow," the sustainability team at 100Green said. To get started, sow your seeds 2.5cm deep with 10cm spaces between them. Remember to water them regularly - usually every 10 to 14 days - but they may require more in dry spells. If you stick to this regime, your beetroot will be ready to harvest after just eight to 10 weeks. Sweetcorn It's worth adding some sweetcorn to the patch too. Just start by sowing it in a small pot and keep it inside as they need warmth to germinate. You can then move them outside - to a sunny, sheltered area - once they reach 8cm in height and we're past any risk of evening frost. Alan Titchmarsh's 'easiest' tip will fix bald patches on your lawn in two minutes flat this spring & no it's not seeding Again, remember to water them regularly, as they need around one inch of water a week. They'll be ready to harvest when the silky tassel on them has turned brown. Carrots Carrots are another easy veg to start with, as you can sow them directly into the ground. Water them every fortnight, and prepare to harvest them 12 to 16 weeks after planting. Tomatoes Tomatoes make the perfect addition to the vegetable patch for late May, as they do best in warmer soil temperatures of around 13 to 16C. Pop them in a sheltered, sunny spot, and when the first tomato appears, be sure to remove the leaves around them. May gardening jobs The Sun's Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you need to crack on with in May. GARDEN growth can go from nought to ninety in May, depending on the weather. The last UK frosts are generally seen at the beginning of the month, so all of a sudden there's so much more to do and grow. Plant out dahlia tubers It's a joy to finally plant out your dahlia tubers. Remember how big they can get - and space accordingly - anything up to half a metre apart. It's a good idea to put your support stakes in now instead of trying to work around them. And make sure you include lots of well rotted manure or decent compost to feed it and then mulch to keep it moist and suppress weeds. They generally start blooming in July. Final feed to Spring flowers You can give a cheeky feed to all your remaining tulips and daffodils. Although the majority of bulbs aren't guaranteed to come back year after year any more, as long as you've left them to die back naturally there's a good chance they'll have stored enough energy to come back again. Tomato feed is fine. Tie up climbers Your clematis, honeysuckle and rambling roses should be well on their way by now - try to use plastic free string to tie them back into their support, or tuck them round each other to make sure they don't sprout off in crazy directions. Feed the lawn It's not too late to give your lawn a good feed. Whether you use granular or liquid, it can give it a good boost to see it through the harsher summer months. While mowing, don't go too low with your cut length yet and never take more than a third off the grass height. Get creative It's also time to get creative with hanging baskets and pots. Trailing pelargoniums, which a lot of people call geraniums, and Begonias are a good, low cost way of getting lovely returning blooms throughout the summer in your baskets. And pots can be planted with spring bulbs. Don't forget the greenhouse! Give your greenhouse a good tidy and clean the glass inside and out. The improved light will help plants grow quicker inside and tidying is good for the soul. You can just use a household white wine vinegar and water solution - or even neat if you're feeling spendy - which gives a really good shine. This means they will continue to get as much sun as possible until they ripen and are ready to harvest. Herbs Herbs are another plant that you can grow at home - with basil top of the list. "Basil is perfect for growing herbs in pots, you can sow them from May and pot them in a pot after they've grown slightly," the sustainability pros advised. "They do well with plenty of light and warmth so you can even keep them on your windowsill while they grow." Don't water them too much as basil doesn't like sitting in wet soil. "Use scissors to cut a lead stem just above a pair of leaves to help encourage your basil to grow and become bushier," they added. Another herb that makes a delicious addition to your cooking is parsley, which can be sown directly into soil. Remember to keep it well watered - at least two to three times a week - and pick it as you need it throughout the summer and autumn. And dill completes the herby triad. "Sow dill seeds into soil around 1cm deep and keep them well watered (1-2 times per week)," the experts said. "It's usually best to use the leaves fresh, so don't harvest until you're ready to use them!" 3
Telegraph
15-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Kent & Stowe Border Fork review: Every gardener needs a good garden fork and this is the best
What is the Kent & Stowe Stainless Steel Border Fork? Gardening tool brand Kent & Stowe sells everything from forks to spades to weeding tools. Each of its stainless steel products comes with a guarantee of 15 years, so you can buy with the confidence that it should last. Unsurprisingly then, the Kent & Stowe Stainless Steel Border Fork came top in my best gardening forks buying guide. A neat tool, it's a lightweight, smaller gardening fork designed for use in flower beds and borders. It's well suited to working in beds, weeding, lifting perennials, aerating and digging, which is the sort of tool most of us need. There's a dazzling array of forks on the market and with an RRP of £38, this is a mid-priced option. I tested ones that range from less than £18 (like the Hawksmoor All Steel Digging Fork) to the premium Sneeboer Digging Fork which will set you back £133.99. Read on for why it was the Kent & Stowe that ultimately took a place in my gardening tool collection. JUMP TO: Having gardened for almost 20 years, I've been through my share of gardening forks. The best ones are versatile all-rounders; I always look for one that's good for digging but also lightweight and manoeuvrable in small spaces. But you can't exactly test this in your local garden centre. So, I've done the hard work for you, taking to my allotment to try eight of them, weeding my beds, digging a hole for a new fruit tree, aerating some recently moved heavy clay soil and breaking up clods of earth. Throughout use, I judged the materials with which it's made, how easy it was to use and the overall design. I wanted a tool that was well-balanced and robust. Sharp and well-spaced tines were also a must for ease when lifting and breaking soil. And as you use gardening forks like levers to break open the soil, I paid careful attention to the handle. It needed to be comfortable and well sized – not so short that I had to bend down to use it properly and not so long that it was unwieldy to lift. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best gardening product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All opinions are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. Score: 10/10
Irish Times
10-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
How do I stop birds uprooting my vegetable seedlings?
I've recently discovered that lots of young vegetable seedlings in my allotment have been uprooted. I suspect it may be birds. Any tips on how to stop them? Shauna C, Dublin Unfortunately, this is often a problem for kitchen gardeners at this time of year and can quickly result in a lot of damage. The most common offenders are blackbirds, thrushes, pigeons and members of the crow family. Once upon a time the recommended solution was to create a cat's cradle of twine or thread criss-crossed over the seedlings as a deterrent, but this runs the risk of accidentally entangling and injuring any visiting birds. Ultrasonic bird deterrents that use noise at a pitch imperceptible to human ears are also available, but are by no means a nature-friendly solution. A far better alternative is to cover your seedlings with fleece, garden netting or failing that, a fine gauge chicken wire, all of which can be very effective but do need to be monitored twice daily (once in the morning, then again in the evening) to make sure that birds haven't accidentally got caught beneath them. Traditional bird scarers such as old CDs or DVDs hung from short sticks can also help to deter them, as can bamboo canes stuck into the ground close by. Other gardeners have also had success with using garden chimes, but these aren't to everybody's taste so perhaps check with your fellow allotment holders first to see if there are any objections. READ MORE Birds, slugs and snails can all wreak havoc on young seedlings The good news is that it's usually only a short-lived problem that will soon disappear as your seedlings get bigger. But if it becomes a persistent issue, then consider raising young plants in modules under cover of a cold frame or polytunnel so that they're already quite sturdy young transplants by the time you plant them out. Not only will this technique help to protect them against possible bird damage, but it also makes them less vulnerable to damage from slugs and snail as well as more resilient in the face of unfavourable growing conditions.
Times
09-05-2025
- General
- Times
How to build raised garden planters
Q. After three years on a waiting list, I have finally been allocated an allotment. I need to create some raised beds as the soil isn't great but I don't know what materials to use. Can you help?Harlow, Chiswick A. Congratulations — first, on securing an allotment plot, because these are like gold dust. Second, because the physical and mental health benefits of gardening can be priceless. I've been fortunate enough to work on various garden makeover TV shows and have had the honour of creating plots at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, so I know how much you will love your allotment, particularly if you get the preparation right. Creating a raised bed is a simple and potentially very cheap option, as the
