Tag: gardens

Zoning your garden on a budget

As Brits start getting their outdoor spaces ready for summer, garden lovers have been offered five creative ways to zone their space on a budget.

The experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk have collated some top tips on making the garden work for every member of the household.

Zoning your garden will make the space feel bigger and gives everyone their own space in nature. Relax and unwind in a chill zone, whilst the kids play in theirs.

Dividing the garden up into different areas, with different purposes can make the space feel more organized and is a simple way to make the most of every inch of green space.

Chris Bonnett from GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “There are loads of creative ways to break up your plot with recycled materials, screens and new plants.

“Seeing your garden as another room of your home is helpful when zoning. Think about what you would like closest to the house. Maybe the kid’s area to keep an eye on them, or the dining area so you can get food straight out of the kitchen.

“Whether you need a relaxing spot to read the newspaper, or a play area for burning off steam, these tips will help you achieve it on a budget.”

Zoning ideas

1. Dining

Carving some space in the garden for an area to eat alfresco will be appreciated in the summer months. Place the area where you have existing hedgerows as they are great at absorbing noise, so you can enjoy dinner without interruption from the outside world. Patio sets are costly but can be found cheap on local community online selling sites, especially during the spring and autumn.

2. Privacy

Creating a privacy screen is the ultimate easy garden DIY project to gain a concealed area. Apart from nails and a hammer, the quirky yet functional partition can be made solely out of out of old doors or wooden pallets. Another alternative is wire fencing, as it is a quick to install and unbelievably cheap. Growing climbing plants like a colourful clematis or ivy up the wire will create a private space and a great place to nature spot.

3. Game zone

Creating an area where kids can let off steam is ideal for those will little ones. Move old outdoor toys into this space to declutter the rest of the garden. Those tight on space could repurpose a pop-up tent as a magical play area or transform an old work surface into a pool table or table tennis.

4. A pause

When zoning your garden, think about where an extra space could be added to relax in. There are nooks of space in most gardens to create a small relaxation area. Hang a hammock in between a pair of trees to unwind in privacy or place an arbour over an existing seating area to create more shelter. Solid wood arbours are quite expensive, so for a cheaper aesthetically pleasing arbour, cover a plastic arch in jasmine, or evergreen honeysuckle climbers.

5. Tidy space

Toys, tools and bikes all make a garden look messy when strewn around. Dedicate a zone to clutter, so it doesn’t interrupt the other areas. Make some extra shelves out of old wood and put them up to keep the shed organised. If the lawn is still covered in items, consider purchasing an external storage box to keep your belongings safe and tucked out of the way.

First Minister announces cautious easing of Level 4 restrictions

More people will be able to socialise outdoors following good progress in suppressing Coronavirus (COVID-19), the First Minister has announced.

Up to four adults from two households will be able to meet locally in any outdoor space, including in private gardens, for social and recreational purposes as well as exercise from Friday 12 March. People should only go indoors if it is essential in order to reach a back garden, or to go to the toilet.

Outdoor non-contact sports and group exercise will also resume for adults in groups of up to to 15 people from this date.

Young people aged 12 to 17 will be able to meet outdoors in groups of up to four people from four different households, participate in outdoor non-contact sports, and other organised activities in groups of up to 15 and travel across local authority boundaries to participate in such activities.

Should progress suppressing the virus continue, the Scottish Government intends to reopen places of worship with attendance limits increased from 20 to 50 where there is space for social distancing on Friday 26 March.

A final decision will be taken on Tuesday 23 March ahead of Passover, Easter, Ramadan and Vaisakhi.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “In recent weeks, we have seen a significant fall in new cases, deaths and hospital admissions, and the vaccination programme is progressing beyond our initial expectations. All of this is excellent news, and provides strong grounds for hope, but that hope must also be balanced by caution.

“The changes announced today, while modest, are important, and are designed to help people’s health and well-being by enabling group exercise and allowing more social interaction. They will also let children see more of their friends, and exercise and play more normally.

“With continued progress, we believe the reopening of places of worship can be achieved relatively safely, and will hopefully enable more people to draw strength, comfort and inspiration from acts of collective worship.

“I expect that further, more substantial changes will be possible in the weeks ahead, and I will set out as much detail as I can about that in Parliament next week. If the data allows us to relax more restrictions more quickly than we have previously indicated, we will not hesitate to do so.

“We all have a part to play in keeping case numbers down while the vaccinators do their work, children get back to school and we all take tentative but firm steps back to life as we once knew it, so please continue to stay within the rules and follow the FACTS advice.”

The easing has been welcomed by council leaders. Council Leader Adam McVey said: “This latest announcement is a clear sign that positive progress is being made in the fight against Covid.

“More people will be able to mix outdoors from Friday including young people meeting their friends, outdoor non-contact sport and organised group exercise, which will be allowed for 15 people, and up to 50 will be allowed to take part in communal worship.

“The First Minister announced that further easing of restrictions to help Scotland’s economy sector will be made public next week. It’s essential that our businesses are able to safely open again to resume a more normal version of trading and we very much hope that circumstances allow that to happen. We will of course make sure that we continue to support our local traders, as we have done since the start of this pandemic.

“It is critical that we all continue to follow the national guidance to keep our communities safe. There’s no doubt that by sticking to the rules we have all played our part in driving down infections with the numbers for Edinburgh at one of the lowest levels since Spring last year.

“We can’t afford to let our guard slip and start ignoring all the precautions we’ve been following so carefully in the past few months. It’s important to continue observing the restrictions that are still in place and all work together to follow this path out of lockdown safely.

Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “Today’s update for the latest lifting of restrictions is another positive step forward as we look to move out of lockdown towards some semblance of normality.

“Increasing the number of people who can meet up outdoors allows us to spend more time with loved ones and friends. It’s really good news that groups of four young people from different households will be able to meet as their wellbeing is so important. All our primary school pupils will be back next week and our high schools are preparing to welcome back pupils for face-to-face teaching as well.

“It’s essential that we observe this gradual, phased approach if we are to protect people’s health and safety while working towards the city’s successful recovery from the pandemic. We all want to keep the virus under control and everyone safe. The successful roll out of the vaccine programme and the fall in positive cases in Edinburgh is really welcome. However, right now our advice remains the same – stay at home and help to protect lives.”

The First Minister also announced a national silence on 23 March to mark the first anniversary of lockdown to remember all those who have lost their lives during the pandemic.

Further plans for easing restrictions on the economy and tourism industry will be announced next week.

Top tips to help your garden stay healthy this autumn

As autumn continues and winter approaches, our gardens may be starting to suffer from less TLC than during the summer months.

Toro, a global leader in turf and landscape equipment and Hayter, a premium British lawnmower manufacturer, have got some great tips to keep your garden looking lush this autumn:

Time for a tidy up

Now is the perfect time to tidy up the garden and prepare it for the colder weather, while also giving the lawn, plants and soil a head start for spring. Start by raking away dead grass and leaves from the lawn so that a thick blanket isn’t created, blocking out any sunlight or air as this can damage the grass underneath and create bare patches on the lawn, requiring reseeding or resodding in the spring.

Get the job done quicker by using Toro’s Flex-Force Power System® Leaf Blower with 2.5Ah 60V battery, especially if the weather isn’t great and the temptation to leave it a day is strong. NOTE: Other excellent leaf blowers are also available!

Keep your borders clear too, as too many dead leaves can encourage snails and slugs to gather, and in turn can begin to rot many of the plants in your borders. Also consider pulling up any annual plants that have had their time, and replant with varieties that will start to flower in spring, such as wallflowers or pansies.

Next, trim the edges of your borders to finish tidying them and be sure to use the Toro Flex-Force Power System® Cordless String Trimmer with a 2.5Ah 60V battery. Battery-powered and easy to use, the Flex-Force Power System® String Trimmer is the ideal option for a quick and easy tidy up of the border edges. NOTE: Other good strimmers are available!

Don’t forget wildlife

While you may not be in the garden as much over the autumn months, don’t forget about any wildlife that may still be visiting your garden. Leave out seeds, nuts and water for birds to enjoy, which can also be lifesaving during winter when food can be much more scarce. You could also try creating bug homes and leaving out suitable leftovers for wildlife you want to encourage to visit your outdoor space.

Take care of the lawn

Give your lawn a good cut before the cold and wet weather really begins to set in. When mowing in autumn, consider raising the mower blades a little, as slightly longer grass copes better with cooler conditions. Also, be sure to keep the mower blades sharp, as a clean cut to a blade of grass will help it heal quicker and prevent disease spores from infecting the grass.

Consider using the Hayter® Osprey 46 Cordless mower to help tidy up the lawn this autumn. Part of the Hayter GreenSeries® Power System, this mower provides the same power and convenience as your petrol mower, without emitting any exhaust fumes by running on a battery. Sharing the same battery as Toro’s Flex-Force Power System® String Trimmer, both ranges provide ultimate flexibility when it comes to tending to the garden. NOTE: Other good mowers are available!

Protect your plants

Autumn is the perfect time to start prepping your plants for winter and making sure they are protected from water logging and the cold.

If you have plants that are more susceptible to the cold weather, be sure to store then in the greenhouse or even a conservatory.

For those planted in the garden, try covering them with fleece or hessian to keep their temperature up. The first frost of the year can arrive during the coming months without warning and kill off your favourite plants, so be sure to get prepared now to keep your plants healthy and safe.

For more information please visit www.toro.com/en and www.hayter.co.uk

Gardens can save our sanity

New National Garden Scheme report highlights the importance of gardens and outdoor spaces during lockdown 

A new report from the National Garden Scheme emphasises the vital role that gardens and outdoor spaces played – and continue to play – in the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the nation during lockdown.

Bringing together feedback from garden owners, viewers of their unique Virtual Garden Visits that aired throughout lockdown, and an online survey conducted in August, the National Garden Scheme report confirms that the power of gardens to do good has never been more important.

George Plumptre, Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme said, “Anecdotally, from the responses we received to our Virtual Garden Visits during lockdown, we knew that gardens (real and virtual) were playing a significant and important role in people’s lives.

“In August, to back this up, we ran an online survey entitled ‘The importance of our gardens and outdoor spaces during lockdown’. Over 2,400 people responded giving us a set of key statistics which confirmed much of the feedback we had already established; that access to gardens and green spaces can play a vital role in our ability to cope in times of crisis.

“The report lays out our findings, the statistics along with some of the long-form stories that survey respondents shared with us, and the feedback from a selection of our own National Garden Scheme garden owners.”

KEY FINDINGS: 2,419 people responded to the online survey

92% said their gardens and outdoor spaces were ‘extremely important’ to them during lockdown in terms of health and wellbeing

87% said that a key benefit gained from access to their garden/outdoor space during lockdown was ‘It helped to relieve stress.’

100% of those with balconies or window boxes (35 respondents) said a key benefit was the reduction in stress – all of these respondents were within an urban or suburban environment

Of respondents with access only to a public outdoor space (20 respondents) 95% said that a key benefit was that ‘It helped to relieve stress’ (as opposed to 87% overall)

78% said that a key benefit gained from access to their garden/outdoor space during lockdown was ‘It helped them appreciate nature’

69% said that a key benefit gained from access to their garden/outdoor space during lockdown was ‘It kept them fit and contributed positively to their physical fitness’ 

86% said they used their gardens more during lockdown77% used their gardens for relaxation

81% spent their time growing and propagating seeds

70% grew their own produceEnjoying time to watch and encourage wildlife, connecting with neighbours ‘over the garden gate’, completing overdue garden projects and enjoying the sanctuary of their outdoor spaces were common themes in the long form responses.

THE REPORT

Gardens and Coronavirus 2020

The importance of garden outdoor spaces during lockdown
Read and download the full report here:
PDF https://ngs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Survey-Results-September-2020.pdf Webpage https://ngs.org.uk/new-report-gardens-and-coronavirus-2020/

SUPPORTING EVIDENCE & IMAGES

Virtual Garden Visits specifically related to health and wellbeing from which garden owner quotes are taken:
Long Crendon, Bucks (group): https://ngs.org.uk/long-crendon-a-community-of-gardeners/ Blockley, Gloucestershire (group): https://ngs.org.uk/blockley-gardens-gloucestershire-at- one-with-nature/

Warton, Lancashire (group): https://ngs.org.uk/warton-gardens-lancashire-the-essence-of- the-national-garden-scheme-ethos/
Algars Manor, Gloucestershire (family of GPs): https://ngs.org.uk/picture-perfect-algars- manor-gloucestershire/

Hambledon House, Hampshire (general overview of benefits of gardening and opening your garden): https://ngs.org.uk/hambledon-house-hampshire-harts-delight/
Garden Owner Case studies:

Dave Darwent, Sheffield: “It came as a bit of a surprise that opening my garden is a kind of therapy for my mental wellbeing” https://ngs.org.uk/dave-darwent-it-came-as-a-bit-of-a-surprise-that-opening-my-garden-is-a- kind-of-therapy-for-my-mental-wellbeing/

Amanda Cooper, Oxfordshire: The sanctuary of my garden in lockdown

https://ngs.org.uk/amanda-cooper-the-sanctuary-of-my-garden-in-lockdown/

All gardens and health related films: https://ngs.org.uk/gardens-and-health-we

Celebrating Scotland’s Gardens On-line

The Scottish Summer Garden Festival is going ahead as a virtual event following a decision by organisers, Discover Scottish Gardens that restricted travel is no reason for garden lovers to miss out on the glory of the season in full bloom.

The on-line spectacle will run from Saturday, 13 June until Saturday, 15 August and dozens of gardens across the country will be taking part, offering workshops, practical advice and video tours.

More than 400 gardens, nurseries and garden centres make up the Discover Scottish Gardens network and amongst those taking part in the festival will be Gordon Castle in Moray, where, on Saturday, 4 July, owner Zara Gordon-Lennox will be marking the birthday of the restored walled garden which has come back to life following a reimagining by renowned landscape designer Arne Maynard and on 15 and 16 August she’ll be broadcasting from the cutting beds where the flowers sold in the estate shop are grown.

Also on 4 July, Des Cotton, Head Gardener, Glamis Castle, will be running on-line workshops on summer pruning and training espalier apples trees as well as providing a guide to micro-irrigation, taking gardeners through the steps to setting up an irrigation system for their own pots and borders.

Meanwhile at New Hopetoun Gardens near Edinburgh, former Beechgrove presenter Lesley Watson, will be introducing footage of the garden centre’s annual Art in the Garden event, looking back at some of the most notable installations and inspiring gardeners to think of ways that they can work with different materials to add art to their own spaces.

Discover Scotland’s Gardens already runs the successful Scottish Snowdrop, Rhododendron & Bluebell and Tree Festivals across the gardening year.

Catherine Erskine, DSG chair, says: “This was to be our first Summer Garden Festival, celebrating the exuberance of Scotland’s gardens in full bloom.

“We want people to enjoy the wonders of Scottish gardens from the comfort of their own homes. The festival is about anything and everything that happens in gardens, not just the practical or aesthetic elements, and this way all that is fully accessible.”

The Festival will include cottages and castles, head gardeners, plant experts, world-renowned gardens and hidden Scottish gems. It will be a chance to step into the world of these amazing spaces and the people who cultivate them, while gaining advice and inspiration.  

There will be inspiration on how to get creative in the garden with children and there will be something for everyone even if they don’t have a garden of their own.

A full list of events is available from discoverscottishgardens.org/summergardenfestival/

 

RHS: Let’s get “Greening Great Britain”

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is calling on the nation to get Greening Great Britain for the good of the nation’s health and for the environment.
 
The Charity has announced key moments and plans to promote and encourage gardening for our health and well-being and also for the environment. Continue reading RHS: Let’s get “Greening Great Britain”

January Garden Plant of the Month: Camellia

Camellia japonica: flowers in the snow 
It’s like something out of a fairytale: when everything is still bare, the evergreen shrub Camellia japonica (also known as Japanese camellia) is already flowering abundantly. Neither cold nor snow will stop this winter bloomer. In the first four months of the year the plant sparkles with large rose-like flowers with a diameter of up to 12 cm. The combination with the large, shiny dark green leaves make it an appealing sight for everyone who wants greenery and colour on their patio, in the garden or on the balcony. 
Range 
There are over 2000 different cultivars of the elegant Camelia japonica, ranging from single flowered to semi-double, and double flowered varieties. The most common colours are red, white and pink, but there is also lilac, salmon and bi-coloured plants.
Camellia trivia
• The plant has featured on Chinese porcelain and paintings since the 11th century.
• The oldest Camellias in Europe can be found in the Portuguese town of Campo Bello and some are 470 years old.
• The unique flowering time makes it one of the most frequently painted garden plants, because the garden offers little alternative inspiration in the winter and early spring.
• In China the Camellia is a symbol of luck for the Chinese New Year (which falls on Friday 16 February in 2018).
Origin
As the name suggests, Camellia japonica originates from Japan, and is also native to Taiwan and Korea, where the plant prefers to grow on wooded slopes at heights of between 300 and 1100 metres. This winter bloomer is related to the tea plant Camellia sinensis and was brought to Europe in the 18th century by traders.
What to look for when buying 
• Camellia is a woody plant and comes with a plant passport that shows that the grower has complied with the European Union’s phytosanitary requirements. The passport can be found on the plant’s label.
• When buying, check the number of buds that can flower and their state of ripeness. Dry or dropped buds are a sign that the Camellia will not flower optimally.
• The plant must be free of pests and diseases. Brown discolouration can occur if there’s too much moisture on the petals and botrytis (grey mould) develops.
Care tips for consumers 
– Camellia japonica prefers acidic, slightly damp, easy-draining soil.
– The plant prefers a sheltered spot in partial shade.
– Although Camellia is hardy, it’s best to cover the plant in the event of a harsh or lengthy frost in order to prevent frost damage.
– Don’t allow the plant to dry out, particularly if the plant is in a pot or tub.
– Some fertiliser in March and June helps the plant to produce fresh buds.
– Camellia does not need to be pruned.
– Camellia japonica combines well with other acid soil lovers such as conifers, Rhododendron, Erica, Skimmia and Gaultheria.

November garden plant of the month: Osmanthus

Sweetly-scented shrub
Osmanthus is a holly-like shrub with leathery, sharp leaves and small white scented flowers. This plant has various cultivars which all differ in terms of leaf colour. It is an evergreen shrub which is also very suitable for topiary or hedging.
Osmanthus: lovingly pricking leaves! 
Osmanthus is a genus of 30 species from the Oleaceae family, which also includes the olive. They are an evergreen shrub which is very hardy, originally from China, Japan and the Himalayas. They grow relatively slowly, making them easy to look after. The shrub requires little pruning and remains compact, which is ideal for on the balcony and patio. Osmanthus x burkwoodii is a hybrid of two holly-like plants. The plant has beautifully scented white flowers and is a real enhancement on the patio. Other Osmanthus species are particularly attractive because of their leaf markings and colour, and can therefore still be used effectively in the garden in November. The fact that the leaves resemble holly means we often associate the shrub with the festive period. Osmanthus heterophyllus comes in a number of cultivars, of which the best-known are ‘Tricolor’ and ‘Variegatus’ and ‘Goshiki’. Its origin and appearance mean that the plant works well in Japanese and Oriental gardens combined with other garden plants from those regions such as Skimmia and Pieris.
Caring for Osmanthus
Osmanthus will remain healthy and attractive by following a couple of simple tips. The plant is particularly hardy, and very easy in both full sun and partial shade and even full shade.
•   Osmanthus enjoys a normal humus-rich soil, not too wet and not too dry.
•   Give the plant a mixed fertiliser in spring and autumn to keep it healthy.
•   If the plant is pruned at the right time, it can last for years. Pruning too early in the winter can cause the branches to freeze.
Osmanthus pruning tips 
Osmanthus does not grow particularly rapidly and only really needs pruning if it gets too big, or if it has ugly or dead branches.
The best time to prune Osmanthus is the end of February or beginning of March. It’s not a good idea to do it any sooner, since the branches can then freeze. If Osmanthus is used as a hedge or other topiary form, it’s advisable to prune it in June and September. It’s a good idea to prune every year if the plant is used as a hedge or for topiary. Osmanthus burkwoodii is best pruned after flowering in May/June, so you can still enjoy the beautifully scented flowers.
More information about Osmanthus and other garden plants can be found at Thejoyofplants.co.uk.

Edinburgh & Lothian Greenspace Trust activities at West Pilton Park

elgt

We have been working with the West Pilton Parklife Friends of the Park group to develop a number of activities this summer. These include family fitness activities starting Thursday27th July which involve hula hopping, fun bootcamp and family yoga sessions.

There will also be a Herbal Garden tidy up and a Herbal Medicine workshop which will involve local families working around the footprint area on Sunday 30th July. A regular bootcamp will be starting on Thursday 17th August and will continue until the October holidays and then run for a further 6 sessions. For more information contact info@elgt.org.uk

Previous planting workshops at the footprint

For more information about West Pilton Park click here