1st Class Gardens

One of the more positive things to have come out of the lockdowns is the trend for people to grow their own produce but what if you do not have a garden or allotment to use for your vegetable and salad plants? Recent innovation in micro gardening has given those with only a window box or balcony a way of growing their own produce whether it be salad leaves, herbs or tomatoes and chillies. A micro gardening kit usually consists of seeds, a small propagator and a special medium to grow the seeds in which expands when water is added. Hydroponic growing systems may also have an in built light perfect if your home does not get much natural light. The easiest plants to start with is a mixture of... Continue reading

Roses of many colours and varieties are a common sight in English gardens and if properly looked after and maintained regularly will produce blooms throughout the summer and some varieties will even have a second bloom in the autumn months. Some people however are reluctant to grow roses in the garden because they feel that they need specialist care and pruning but with a bit of research and a good pair of secateurs there is nothing to fear. The key to the successful growing of roses is in the pruning, a task that needs to be done correctly to give the optimum effect and so that an abundance of flowers will be produced. The main reason for pruning roses is to keep the plant healthy and compact because rose bushes... Continue reading

It is a challenging time for us all at the moment and we need to find ways to de-stress and relax in our own homes instead of venturing out to leisure centres and therapists to boost our mental health and wellbeing. For those people fortunate enough to have a garden, finding a way to unwind is easier as time spent in the garden can lead to a calmer mindset. Simply sitting outside in the fresh air can boost positive moods and if some winter sunshine is available this increases these feelings even more whilst also providing much needed vitamin D. Tidying up in the garden such as sweeping leaves or clearing away dead plants and flowers brings about a sense of achievement whilst also doing a worthwhile task. Reorganising sheds... Continue reading

If you are wanting to spruce up your garden a bit this year then you may be starting to plan how you want it to look. Having plants or trees in your garden can really help make it look colourful and help attract nature such as butterflies, birds and squirrels. Gardening has also been proven to be incredibly therapeutic. If you are a bit of a novice at gardening, then you will want to start off with some easy plants and trees. Once you have mastered these you can then try and introduce more complex vegetation. Apple trees, believe it or not, are a great first tree to introduce into your garden. You don’t need to have acers of room as the dwarf options are perfect for borders. Be sure... Continue reading

With the warmer weather already on the way, many gardens that have been left unattended through much of the winter have started to get some attention. One of the first things people do as spring starts is to mow the lawn. Try and mow your lawn on a dry day when it has had a chance to dry out. If it has recently rained or is still wet from the dew that has formed overnight then you will often find that your lawn mower will get clogged up with damp grass and the mower can damage the grass by getting sunk in the soil. Have a good tidy round your garden chucking away any furniture that cannot be saved and give toys a good wash if they have been outside... Continue reading