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Transcript of My Garden Planner
Garden
Your guide to local services for your outdoor living spaceincluding a special month-by-month guide of things to do
PLANNER
MY
• Natural Stones paving & circles
• Stone & granite cobbles
• Stone artifacts & garden furniture
• All materials are ethically sourced
Federat ionStoneG r e a t B r i t a i n
Tel: 01704 228574www.stone-mastersltd.co.uk
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Contents
4 Planning
6 Landscaping
8 Improve your space
10 Green gardens
11 Grow your own vegetables
12 Ponds
14 Garden furniture
16 Open gardens
17 An amazing garden
18 Driveways and patios
20 Structures
22 Glazing
24 House exteriors
27 My gardening year a full 12 month guide
40 Local societies and clubs
42 Top tips from the experts
© 2010 CMG. All rights reserved. All data supplied in this publication is believed to be correct at time of going to press but is subject to change without notice. E&OE.
Published by
Champion Media GroupClare House, 166 Lord Street, Southport, PR9 0QA
Telephone: 01704 392392www.champnews.com
My Garden PlannerLooking out on to a beautiful garden can really lift our moods and on a warm day our garden can provide a relaxing haven
to sit and enjoy the weather.
But not all of us are blessed with a creative mind or green fingers and even the best gardeners are always on the lookout for new ideas.
My Garden Planner is designed to give advice on a range of gardening tasks to inspire you and help you make the best of your outdoor space.
There is something for all circumstances, from how to make the most of a small space, to growing your own vegetables or planning a total landscaping overhaul.
Our month-by-month planner will help you keep on top of your garden chores and establish a regular maintenance routine to ensure your outside space looks fantastic all year round.
Inside you will also find a guide to local horticultural events and larger national events, as well as details of your nearest gardening clubs and societies. Look out for our top tips too, from gardening experts including celebrity gardeners and Southport Flower Show patrons.
There is some green gardening advice to help do your bit for the environment and recommendations for improving the exterior of your home, including driveways, patios, outdoor storage and glazing, that can add value to your property.
You will also find contact details for all the experts in your area who you can call on for professional advice and services, so get reading and start your new gardening regime today.
MY GARDEN PLANNER 3
• Natural Stones paving & circles
• Stone & granite cobbles
• Stone artifacts & garden furniture
• All materials are ethically sourced
Planning
Planning a re-think of your garden can be an exciting task, whether this is to add a new feature or to give it a whole new look.
Some simple changes or additions can
create new interest in your garden, for example
a water feature, rockery, herb garden or
vegetable patch.
An in-depth re-design will take more careful
planning.
It is generally easier to remove existing
plants instead of designing around them, with
the exception of mature trees. If your aim is to
enhance existing planting, consider whether
your new plants will be happy in that location.
For example will they have enough light or
shade or will they be disturbed by nearby
roots?
If you can spare the time, it is helpful to
plan out how much sunlight each part of your
garden receives each day and organise your
planting around this to give sun-loving and
shade-loving plants their optimum spot. The
same applies for your soil type, so you can
check which type of plants will flourish in your
area.
Also think about how your garden will look
throughout the year and maybe add some
winter shrubs that will provide colour and
scent through the colder months. Some good
examples are cornus sanguinea midwinter fire
dogwood or flowering quince. Topiary will also
add interest during winter.
For a low-maintenance garden, try adding a
layer of bark chippings on flowerbeds to deter
weeds. Raised flowerbeds can also be lower
maintenance, and are easier to care for if you
have back trouble or limited mobility.
If you are planning a water feature for your
garden, think about where cables for pumps
or fountains need to be laid before you begin
making any alterations. This also needs to be
considered if you are thinking about adding a
touch of drama to your garden with a lighting
scheme, which can help make your garden a
usable space at any hour and is a surefire way
to impress visitors.
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Landscaping
Whether your garden has seen better days, or if you are itching for a total change, landscaping will provide the overhaul you need.
Getting advice from the professionals is a
must, to make your investment something you
and your family will enjoy for many years to
come. Garden designers will be able to make
a range of suggestions for transforming spaces
of any size, from a compact terrace to more
generously proportioned grounds.
Choosing to landscape your garden is the
ideal opportunity to create the space of your
dreams, so make sure you plan it well to
include everything you want or need.
Do some research and have your own ideas
as to what you want from your garden, to give
some pointers to your designer. You may
wish to have a theme to your garden, such
as attracting wildlife, an oriental haven or a
Victorian manor - or to create different sections
for different purposes, such as eating, storage,
planting, relaxing or playing.
Gardening books, magazines and websites
are a great place to start looking for ideas, but
keep in mind whether styles you see in print
would suit your own garden, or may look out-
of-place.
You may also need to plan around non-
movable features such as mature trees.
Also keep an eye out for gardening design
exhibitions, which will provide you with a wealth
of ideas and give access to a wide variety of
experts under one roof.
After the layout of your garden has been
planned, you will have to consider planting,
which will depend greatly on the feel of your
home and garden.
For example, more modern, angular gardens
will suit more tropical, architectural plants,
whereas cottage style gardens will suit softer
planting with smaller blooms.
Your garden designer will help ensure
that the overall look and feel remains
consistent and is suited to your home and
your personal taste.
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Smaller gardens can still look stunning with some thought and imagination - but it is not as simple as recreating a larger garden in miniature.
First, decide what you want the main use of
your garden to be. If it’s for entertaining or al
fresco dining, an eating area needs to be the
focus of your space. If it’s colour you’re after
you need to define your planting areas, or if
itís a place for the kids to play you will need to
consider a lawned area or other soft surface
such as tree bark.
If an eating area dominates your garden,
some colour and scent may still be introduced
by planting climbing flowers to cover walls or
fences, for example honeysuckle or wisteria.
A patio laid in a stylish pattern will also inject
some personality.
By creating flower beds in unusual shapes
or curves, this will help disguise their small
proportions. Flower colours should be kept to a
theme of two or three, to avoid a cluttered look.
It is generally thought that cooler colours
make a garden look larger. Another trick is to
plant darker colours at the front of a border and
lighter colours at the back to give the illusion
of depth and strategically-positioned garden
mirrors will also give an increased feeling of
space.
If you are short on space for flower beds,
investing in some stylish pots to plant your
bulbs can instantly bring a garden to life,
but keep them clustered together, rather than
spread around, to maintain impact.
Pots also make it simple to swap plants if you
change your mind or they are not growing as
expected. While many plants are happy to live
in containers, some will not survive.
Check your plants regularly - maintenance
is especially important in a smaller garden, as
any unsightly areas will spoil the look of the
whole space.
Improve your space
8 MY GARDEN PLANNER
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There is increasing pressure on us to help the environment and step-up our green behaviour.
The good news is that there are many simple
steps we can all take and often these will save
money at the same time.
Here are a few tips to make your garden
more environmentally friendly:
u Choose peat-free composts that contain
recycled materials.
u Recycle excess garden waste via your
council’s recycling services.
u Use a water butt to help trap rainwater to
water your garden throughout the summer
u Re-use yoghurt pots and takeaway
cartons to plant seedlings in.
u To save water, use soaker hoses or drip
irrigation instead of sprinkler systems.
u Install a sedum roof to garden sheds
or summerhouses to replace the lawn or
shrubbery lost by the building’s footprint.
u Hang bird boxes and feeders in your
garden to attract feathered friends who will help
cut down on slugs and snails.
u Attracting ladybirds to your garden can
also help eliminate plant-eating bugs (special
ladybird food is available).
u Get a home compost bin or wormery and
make your own nutritious compost with kitchen
and garden waste.
u Items which will make great compost
include uncooked kitchen waste such as
vegetable trimmings, tea bags and eggshells,
annual weeds - before seedheads form, hedge
and lawn clippings in thin layers, shredded
newspaper or cotton or wool fabrics, shredded
woody stems, cardboard, sawdust and straw.
u Do not compost cooked kitchen waste,
animal products and bones, bread, diseased
plant material, weed seedheads, synthetic
fabrics, dog or cat waste or unshredded woody
material.
Green garden tips
10 MY GARDEN PLANNER
Grow your own vegThe credit crunch sparked a trend for home grown vegetables and many people are now dedicating an area of their garden to a vegetable plot.
Not only will it save on the
shopping bill, but home growing
is great exercise and nothing beats
the satisfaction of serving up your
own produce with the Sunday roast.
“Anybody can grow anything
nowadays,” says Southport’s
Town Lane Allotment Association
chairman, Derek Thomas.
“People with large gardens are
tending to split them up a bit and
grow a few veg. Even if you have a
small garden or a patio you can grow potatoes,
runner beans or carrots. You can put a wigwam
up to grow French and runner beans to protect
them from the wind, or carrots can be grown
in half a water butt filled with sandy loam. You
don’t need that much space.”
Although many vegetables can be grown in a
small amount of space, some varieties such as
squash need around four feet between plants.
Fruit trees and bushes normally are only suited
to larger gardens, but trees of small root stock
will only grow to eight or nine feet to fit in
smaller plots.
Soil preparation will depend on the soil
type in your garden. Peat-based soil retains
moisture so needs little watering, whereas
clay-based soil will need preparation to break
it down. Horse manure is an ideal, if smelly,
product to dress the soil.
Sandy soils are ideal for growing root
vegetables. This soil type drains well and stays
warm longer in autumn.
A variety of vegetables can be grown
throughout the year (see below).
“You can also do successive growing, to
spread the crops over the year,”
Derek says. “Instead of sowing
four rows of carrots, just sow two
and then a couple of weeks later
sow another two, then you have
successive growing.”
But is growing your own worth all
the effort?
“Home grown tastes better
because there are no pesticides
– you don’t need it,” says Derek.
“It’s cheaper because you can get
a packet of 500 seeds for about
£1, whereas in supermarkets the
majority of your costs is for the packaging, not
the contents. And there is nothing more pleasing
than seeing your efforts rewarded. You’ve done
the growing and at the end you get the produce.”
MY GARDEN PLANNER 11
DEREK THOMAS
WHEN TO PLANTJune - August Broccoli, spring cabbageSept - Nov Broad beans.Dec - Feb Garlic, broad beans, carrots, leeks.March - May Potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, summer cabbage, Brussels sprouts, leeks.
WHEN TO HARVESTJune - August Potatoes (early crop), cauliflower, broad beans.Sept - Nov Potatoes (late crop), summer cabbage, Brussels sprouts, carrots.Dec - Feb BroccoliMarch - May Garlic, spring cabbage.
TOP TIPS FOR PERFECT VEGETABLESPosition Most vegetables grown best in a sunny position sheltered
from strong winds.Soil preparation To improve soil dig in well-rotted manure, compost,
leafmould, composted bark or mushroom compost. If growing in containers use good quality multipurpose compost.
Watering For healthy, strong growth and the highest yields, plants will need a regular supply of water at the roots. Using water gels allows you to water less with optimum results.
Feeding Add a general fertiliser a week or so before seed sowing or planting out. Additional light feeds throughout the growing season will be beneficial for many plants and those growing in containers.
Mulching Covering the soil with a layer of compost, well-rotted manure or leafmould will keep weed growth to a minimum, conserve soil moisture and help insulate plant roots from extremes of cold and hot weather.
Ponds
Ponds or water features can really bring a garden to life. As well as giving an attractive view, they are a haven for wildlife and, with the right care, can be used for keeping fish.
The key to a healthy pond is to keep the right
balance of plants and oxygen. If the balance
is right, the water will appear clear, but if there
is an imbalance you will notice an increase in
algae growth.
Algae is probably the most common complaint
about garden ponds, but it can be kept at bay
by a number of methods. Algae is caused by an
excess of nutrients in the water, such as from a
surplus of fish food.
Although it is possible to balance nutrient
levels with the correct plants, a pond filter
is generally a wise investment, especially for
beginners, and a good quality pump is a must
to keep water flowing.
Algae is common in early spring, when the
water begins to warm-up but pond plants are
yet to become active, creating an imbalance
of nutrients.
To keep aquatic plants healthy it is a good
idea to divide them every two to three years in
late spring or early autumn, if they are becoming
overgrown or crowded. Divided clumps can
then be planted singly.
Rotting vegetation and blanket weed should
be regularly removed from the pond so that
it does not interfere with fish or plants. This
is especially important in autumn when dead
leaves will be blown into the water, but installing
a net over the pond may help avoid this.
Fish are a good way to cut down on pests as
they will eat the insect larvae, but ensure there
is a sufficient volume of water for the fish to live
comfortably. Smaller ponds may need to be
dug deeply to give the fish space.
In cold weather make sure to take precautions
against ice forming across the pond, which can
cause a build up of methane gas lethal to fish
and may crack the sides of some ponds. An
electric pool heater will ensure an area of open
water, or alternatively floating a ball on the pond
will help prevent ice forming.
If you are creating your own pond, providing
varying depths of water will attract a variety of
wildlife. Shallow areas will be used by egg-laying
creatures such as dragonflies and amphibians
and will be enjoyed by garden birds searching
for a bath. Deeper areas will be inhabited by
aquatic insects and swimming newts.
Ready-formed pond shapes are widely
available, but you may also choose a flexible
lining sheet that can be adapted to any shape you
desire, or you may choose to have a raised pond.
It is worth taking some time to consider the
location of your pond. It is best to avoid placing a
pond directly beneath a tree or large shrub, as it is
likely to prove difficult to keep the water free from
leaf debris and nearby roots may damage the
pond lining as they grow.
Also you may wish to place your pond on a
higher part of your garden, to avoid it flooding
during rain or watering.
12 MY GARDEN PLANNER
MY GARDEN PLANNER 13
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Garden furniture
Pictures courtesy of Dobbies Garden World
14 MY GARDEN PLANNER
Choosing the right outdoor furniture can make a huge difference to how you use and enjoy your garden.
One of the major trends this year is for a
Mediterranean feel for your al fresco living area.
Dobbies Garden World, Southport,
recommend coupling white garden furniture
with zesty accessories to keep things fresh and
bright. Or use over-sized patio pots, olive trees,
citrus plants and a stylish chiminea to re-create
an effortlessly warm style and bring a feeling
of the summer holidays to your very own back
garden.
Brightly coloured furniture is also big
this year, with the trend being for your
chairs and tables to stand out with the
blooms rather than blend in with the
foliage. Choose items in bold clashing
colours to really stand out, or select
furniture that matches the colour theme of
your planting.
For a smaller or cottage-style garden, a
simple, pretty table and matching chairs may
be all that you need to create a stylish setting for
your al fresco lunch or afternoon tea.
For a more natural look than plastic or metal
furniture, teak is a popular choice as it is weather
resistant and low maintenance.
Wicker is an affordable choice and can
provide an attractive look in a range of colours.
If you are a keen cook when why not invest
in a barbecue to take advantage of those
gorgeous summer evenings and serve up a
treat in style.
For those with a larger family, or if you
enjoy entertaining, you may wish to buy a
garden table with a Lazy Susan, to make
passing the salt that bit easier.
There is so much choice available now
that there is no excuse for your outdoor
living space to be any less stylish than the
inside of your home.
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MY GARDEN PLANNER 15
Open gardens
Summer is the ideal time to visit some of the stunning gardens around Sefton and West Lancashire.
The Yellow Book, produced by the National
Gardens Scheme (NGS), contains details of
more than 3,600 gardens to visit across England
and Wales. All the gardens in the scheme are
vetted by the NGS, so visitors can be assured of
an interesting and eye-catching display.
The garden owners charge a small fee for
entry and the proceeds go to the NGS, which
has raised more than £25 million in the last 10
years for various charities. Most gardens provide
refreshments for a small fee, and the home
made cakes are a feature.
There are some 42 gardens to visit in this
area, some of which are ‘group openings’
containing more than one garden.
In Southport be sure to pay a visit to Foxbury,
47 Westbourne Road on Sunday June 20,
Birkdale Village Gardens on Sundays July 4
and 18, and 4 Brocklebank Road, open Sunday
July 25.
Four Freshfield gardens will be open to the
public on Sunday July 11 from 10.30am to
4.30pm. These are at 2 Gorse Way, 37 Brewery
Lane, Woodlands on Green Lane and The
Squirrels on Victoria Road.
On Sunday June 27, midday to 5pm, four
gardens in Hesketh Bank will be open for
viewing, at 155 Station Road, 31 Becconsall
Lane, 11 Douglas Avenue and Wedgwood, off
Shore Road.
Crabtree Lane Gardens, near Burscough, are
open Sunday June 13.
Visitors can be assured of a warm welcome at
any of these gardens.
For more details see www.ngs.org.uk
16 MY GARDEN PLANNER
As amateur gardeners go, Peter Thornton is one of the best.
His garden on Brewery Lane, Formby, has
scooped top prize in the Formby Garden
Competition 26 times as well as winning Sefton
in Bloom prizes five times and numerous other
local contests.
“I have always loved gardening,” Peter says.
“I first got into it when I wanted to earn some
pocket money from my father and he told me
to dig for victory.
“When I was 12, he bought me two allotments
and the people who taught me all my gardening
skills were Polish refugees in Huddersfield.
“I think they felt sorry for me having to clear
a piece of field and turn it into an allotment and
they helped me for about five years. They were
the best gardeners I have ever come across in
my life.”
Peter’s impressive gardening skills
have earned him an invitation to join
the National Gardens Scheme, where
beautiful gardens across the country
are opened to the public for charity.
“I am very pleased about that,
especially as they came and asked
me to join,” Peter says.
Peter experiments with his garden, growing
at least two new plants each year, but his
favourite has always been the sweet pea, since
winning a prize at the Leeds Sweet Pea Show,
aged 16.
“Maintaining the garden is a year round
process,” says Peter. “You can’t give up.
There’s the grass to cut all year round - in
summer I sometimes cut it every day and in
winter I cut it once a week.
“Most of the planting is done the third week
in May, in time for the competitions which
mostly start the first or second week in July,
and I am always on the lookout for ideas in
other people’s gardens.”
Peter’s garden is bursting with blooms, but
he says it is his manicured lawn which really
impresses judges.
“That’s what I specialise in. I spend
hours and hours on it so it is short
and green,” he says.
Peter’s garden will be open to
the public on Sunday July 11 from
10.30am to 4.30pm.
For more details see the NGS
website at www.ngs.org.uk.
An amazing garden
MY GARDEN PLANNER 17
Updating your driveway can really improve the kerb appeal of your home and garden.
A variety of driveway types are available so it
is worth taking some time to consider which will
best suit your home.
Block paving in contrasting colours and
patterns can give a modern look and a similar
effect can be gained through pattern-printed
concrete, which has the advantage of being
difficult for weeds to penetrate. This method
needs to be carried out by an expert as
mistakes are difficult to rectify.
Tarmacadam is a relatively inexpensive
method of creating larger driveways, although
the red and green varieties will be more pricey.
Concrete flagstones are a popular option
and are available in many colours. To add
variety, a design can be created using different
sized stones in a mosaic effect.
Stone and slate flags will give a more natural
look and are low maintenance. Although this
is an expensive option, it may be possible to
source reclaimed slabs to cut costs.
Gravel is a fairly inexpensive method and
again gives a natural look that would be
suited to cottage-style gardens. A wide
range of colours are available and it is a low-
maintenance option.
A patio is an ideal way to enjoy the outdoors,
without the efforts of mowing or weeding. They
also provide a dedicated area for al fresco
dining, garden furniture and barbeques and
can be brightened up with potted shrubs and
flowers.
When designing patios, it is a good idea
to choose a colour that will complement or
contrast the rendering of your house, rather
than matching it.
A darker patio will reduce glare and will feel
much warmer than a lighter tone.
Unless the soil where you patio will be
located is already well compacted, it is likely to
need some prior preparation.
If the ground is somewhat soft, or has been
used as a flowerbed, for example, it will be
necessary to compact the area using hardcore
rubble and gravel.
If you will be using the patio for dining it
may be a good idea to position it close to the
kitchen, or in a location that will catch the sun
throughout the day.
If you intend to use it for sunbathing or
lounging, an area with natural screening would
be best.
Flagstones will provide a level surface for
easy movement of patio furniture, but various
bases can be used including natural stone,
block paving and gravel.
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18 MY GARDEN PLANNER
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A range of garden buildings and structures can help to add character, security or much-needed storage space.
A garden shed is an obvious choice, and of
course these come in a variety of sizes, styles
and materials to suit most tastes and budgets.
Timber sheds are popular as they can be
stained or painted different colours to fit in
with the individual garden, but metal or plastic
sheds can prove to be more weatherproof in
the long-term.
Sales of larger sheds and Wendy houses
have reportedly quadrupled over the past year,
with many being used to give teenage children
their own private space or to provide an extra
room to enjoy the garden.
Small wooden Wendy houses also make an
ideal play area for younger children, who will
love being able to set up their own mini-home
in the back yard.
For smaller gardens, a range of more
compact storage units are available, for
example bike lockers, lockable weatherproof
cabinets or wheelie bin stores to keep unsightly
bins out of view.
You may wish to consider having a brick
outbuilding constructed as a permanent and
secure home for gardening or other bulky
equipment.
Planning permission is not always necessary
for sheds or outbuildings, but it is worth
checking with your local authority’s planning
department for advice before beginning any
constructions.
Fencing is an often-overlooked aspect of the
garden, but the right type of fencing can make
the world of difference.
If you have small children or pets, it is a wise
idea to invest in taller fencing to keep them
secure in your garden and prevent them from
intruding on neighbours, but normally fences
should not exceed two metres in height.
Lower fencing will allow more light into a
smaller garden, or a compromise may be to
have low solid fencing with a section of trellis
attached to the top.
Fencing professionals will be able to advise
you as to what would be the best type of
fencing to suit your needs and complement
your garden.
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20 MY GARDEN PLANNER
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MY GARDEN PLANNER 21
The right use of glazing can really transform the way you view and use your garden.
For example, adding a conservatory to
your home can both extend your living space
and improve your enjoyment of your garden.
Conservatories are the most common home
improvement and it is easy to see why they are
so popular.
Most domestic conservatories are built from
a uPVC and aluminium frame, that can come in
a range of coloured finishes to suit your home.
There are also a range of architectural styles to
choose from.
The advantages of uPVC frames is they will
not need painting, although they will need
cleaning regularly.
Hardwood framed conservatories are an
alternative to uPVC and would be ideal for
homes in a conservation area or older properties
that would require sensitive alterations.
Specialist blinds can be designed for
conservatories, to keep them cool and shaded
when necessary and help prevent furniture
inside from fading.
Remember to check whether you will require
planning permission for your conservatory.
If a conservatory is not possible for your
garden, investing in new windows for your
home can help improve the outlook on your
outside space.
Good quality double glazing will save on
your energy bills and will cut the maintenance
needed for older-style window frames. It will
also improve the look of your home to passers
by and visitors.
Greenhouses are another form of garden
glazing that can make a wise investment. If you
are green-fingered, greenhouses are ideal for
sowing vegetables such as peppers, aubergines
and tomatoes before putting them in the ground.
It is possible to buy greenhouses in a range
of sizes, and of wooden or metal frames, to suit
your needs, and some companies can also
provide a bespoke structure.
Glazing
22 MY GARDEN PLANNER
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MY GARDEN PLANNER 23
It is a good idea to complement changes to your garden with improvements to the exterior of your home, to maintain a tidy and attractive appearance.
There are many ways to revive your home
and add value at the same time.
Updating the rendering on your house, or
giving it a new coat of paint, will make a huge
difference to the look of your outside space
and really give it some personality. Even
re-pointing brickwork can give your home a
tidier appearance.
Replacing a tired garage door can also give
your house an instant facelift.
“There are all different styles to suit any
home or taste and they can be made from
wood, steel or fibreglass,” Gary Heaton of West
Lancs Garage Doors says.
“A lot of people are deciding to revamp their
garage doors because it makes the whole of
the house look better and adds value to the
home.”
Doors can have a manual action or remote
control.
Many homeowners are also choosing
to create extra space within their home by
converting their adjoining garage into an extra
room. Maybe you are looking for some extra
living space, a playroom for the children, or
even a gym or home cinema.
Always contact a specialist for this type
of job, to ensure the work complies with
building regulations and is up to a professional
standard. Several factors will need to be
assessed, such as the depth of foundation
under the garage, drainage conditions and
whether nearby trees or buildings would be
affected. Changes may also need to be made
to the existing walls, roof and floor.
Planning permission is not normally required
for this type of work, as long as it does not
involve extending the building, but it is best to
check first with your local authority’s planning
department.
Adding a porch or a canopy to your home
can also add style and value, and provide a
handy shelter for fumbling for your keys in the
rain. Make sure the style is in-keeping with
your home to ensure it enhances the look
rather than detracting from it.
House exteriors
24 MY GARDEN PLANNER
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26 MY GARDEN PLANNER
MY GARDEN PLANNER 27
My Gardening YearYour 12 month guide of what to do and when to do it
28 MY GARDEN PLANNER
JanuaryPROTECTIVE MOVE Early in the month, if
there is a vacant sheltered spot in the vegetable
plot, any exposed Brussels sprouts, savoys
and late cabbage can be moved there if they
are lifted with their roots intact.
WARM THE GROUND Mid-month, where
early crops are to be sown, cover the ground
with cloches or spare frame lights, so that it is
dry and comparatively warm before the seed
goes in.
KEEP OFF If you have managed to do any
digging, keep off the cultivated land until
conditions improve, or the soil structure will be
impaired.
CUT PRIVET Later in the month, where privet
hedges have got out of hand, this is a good
time to cut them back hard and encourage new
strong basal growth.
SOW LUPINS If you can lay your hands on a
few lupin seeds, sow them now for flower in
late summer.
The dawn of a new gardening year
Lupin seeds
MY GARDEN PLANNER 29
FebruaryCHECK SUPPORTS If you have any wall-
trained fruit trees or bushes, check that the
supports are in good order before the new
season’s growth makes fresh demands on
them.
EXTRA HELLEBORES Although prefering to
be left, helleborus niger, the Christmas Rose,
should re-establish if propagated by division
immediately after flowering.
LAWN CARE Any turfing should be completed
as conditions allow. By the end of the month it
will be time to think about preparing ground for
sowing new areas. SUMMER BEDDING If not yet dealt with,
summer bedding schemes should be planned
at the earliest opportunity so that seed orders
can be sent in as soon as possible.
START FUCHSIAS Fuchsia stock plants
can be started into growth to encourage
the production of shoots which will serve as
cuttings in March.
FORCING As temperatures improve there is
less need to bring seakale and rhubarb inside
for forcing. They can be covered where they
are planted.
CAMELLIAS When pot grown camellias pass
out of flower they can be top-dressed or
repotted to sustain them through the growing
season.
BULBS As early potted bulbs cease flowering,
the pots or bowls can be laid on their sides and
the bulbs allowed to die back naturally. This
allows food in the foliage to be drawn into the
bulbs, building them up for next season. As an
alternative they can be heeled-in in a nursery
plot, provided they are first hardened-off.
SEED SOWING The busy season for seed
sowing approaches, and it is always worth
sowing thinly. This way seedlings have room to
develop, and will not become overcrowded if
pricking off is delayed.Gloxinia
30 MY GARDEN PLANNER
MarchSTOP SLUGS The appearance of new shoots
on the likes of herbaceous perennials will prove
attractive to slugs. Bait tubs with milk or beer
and sink them into the ground for the slugs
to drown in. Not a pleasant prospect for the
slug, but likely to be preferable to a chemically
induced demise!
STOP STRANGLING As the sap begins to flow
and the stems and trunks of trees and shrubs
begin another season’s growth, check around
any ties. If they are tight, slacken them a little to
allow room for expansion.
SOW CHRYSANTHS Cascade and Charm
chrysanthemums can be sown now in gentle
heat. Cascades need careful training to obtain
the best results, but Charms are an easy way to
a riot of flowers.
TREES AND SHRUBS It may not be necessary
to say this if wet conditions prevail, but if there are
any dry periods, take care to ensure that newly
planted trees and shrubs are given sufficient
water. In extreme conditions it may also be
necessary to syringe or spray over the foliage.
THIN LETTUCE Early sowings of lettuce should
be ready for thinning. At this time the thinnings
can be transplanted if needed - a practice
which should not be carried out later in the year
because of the danger of bolting.
FEED ROSES By now the roses should have
been pruned, and will benefit from a top dressing
of rose fertiliser.
SOW CAMPANULAS A nice trailing, free-
flowering pot plant which can be sown now
is Campanula isophylla. It can be had in both
white and blue flowered forms, but must be
grown under glass.
TIDY IVY Ivy growing on walls can be clipped
now, using shears. If the job is left, growth
may become excessive and untidy during the
summer.
CLEAR CROPS Where just a few plants of
crops such as leeks and celery remain, they can
be lifted so that the ground can be prepared for
new crops.
PLANT RANUNCULUS If you have ranunculus
which were lifted for storage last autumn, they
can be planted as soon as ground conditions will
allow. They should be set about 5cm (2in) deep.
Ranunculus blooms
MY GARDEN PLANNER 31
AprilSTAKE EARLY As fresh shoots appear on
herbaceous plants, give them support with twigs
and small branches to lessen the chance of
damage. Placed with care, they will eventually
disappear as the foliage grows through and
around them.
TRIM LOBELIA Blue lobelia which is growing
well can be trimmed back a little to make it
thicken out.
SOW PEAS Ensure succession by making a
sowing of second early peas.
SOW ANNUALS Once the weather improves a
little, seed of annuals can be sown outdoors in the
place where it will flower - an easy and colourful
way of filling gaps in the border. There is also
some value in having an area devoted entirely to
them. Sowings for such an annual border can be
made now, in situ. Remember to hoard twigs and
prunings for supporting taller types.
SOW PANSIES Pansies flower well in mild
conditions. To have a supply for next year,
sow now in boxes of light soil. Transfer the
seedlings to grow on in a frame prior to
planting out in October.
PLANT SWEET PEAS Provided they have
been well hardened off, sweet peas sown in
January should be about ready for planting.
Take out a large hole with a trowel, and spread
the roots before covering.
BETTER BLOOMS If you want bigger and
better blooms in the perennial border, then
try thinning the number of shoots down
to half a dozen per plant. Plants which
will benefit include delphiniums, heleniums,
lupins and phlox.
LAYER SHRUBS Many shrubs can be
propagated by layering. Select a suitable
branch or stem which can be encouraged to
bend down to the ground, and make a slicing
cut part way through a joint. If needed keep
the wound open with a small stone. Bury the
cut part just below the soil surface, keeping
it in place with a wooden peg or a stone until
rooting takes place.
SOW SWEET CORN Sweet corn can be
started under glass. Either sow singly in pits,
or space sow at 50-75mm (2-3in) centres in
deep boxes.
Be prepared with stakes to help support new growth in the herbaceous border
32 MY GARDEN PLANNER
MayHERBACEOUS CUTTINGS Many herbaceous
plants can be propagated by making cuttings
of the new shoots appearing now. With those
such as delphiniums - which might benefit from
a little thinning - the shoots can be inserted in
frames or pots. Kept covered for a week or two,
they should root readily.
HARDEN CELERY Celery sown in heat will be
ready to plant out at the end of this month or
early in June. Take all opportunities to harden-
off, so minimising the risk of any shock at
planting time.
SUMMER BEDDING Now’s the time to be
thinking about lifting spring bedding plants to
make way for summer plants.
SUPPORT GLADIOLI Don’t allow gladioli to
grow too tall before staking them. By the time
they have reached (30cm) a foot, a strong
stake should be in and the first tie made.
EARTH POTATOES Earth up potatoes as
growth is made. If you think they will benefit
from additional fertiliser, dust a little along the
rows before drawing the soil up.
KEEP TIDY Climbers and wall plants are
starting to grow away with vigour. Keep on
top of them by tying in the stems before they
become entangled and are difficult to manage.
TIE RASPBERRIES As new shoots continue
to make growth on autumn-fruiting raspberries
which were cut back in February, they should
be tied in.
MY GARDEN PLANNER 33
JuneTIME TO PRUNE Early-flowering shrubs which
have finished their displays such as lilac,
diervilla, forsythia, deutzia and so on can be
pruned if required. Remove weaker growths
first, and then any which are overcrowding or
invading space where they are not wanted.
RASPBERRY BEETLE If raspberry beetle is
an expected problem, it may be controlled by
dusting the fruit clusters with derris some ten
days after the flowers have gone over. Never dust
open flowers which are still being visited by bees.
PINCH PEAS Remove the growing points from
early peas which have finished flowering to
concentrate energies on pod production.
BOOST GLADIOLI Better blooms can be
expected on gladioli if they are boosted with
a programme of liquid feeding. From now
through to the first appearance of flower, make
an application every 10-14 days.
LATE RUNNERS It seems but a moment since
the season for sowing runner beans started,
and yet already it is at an end. A final sowing
can be made in milder areas, to produce crops
until the end of October.
FEED ANTIRRHINUMS Antirrhimuns can be
improved if weak liquid manure is applied at
fortnightly intervals.
GOOSEBERRIES Gooseberries in full fruit
should be picked over. Remove young green
berries for cooking or preserving; but leave an
ample number to mature for dessert. I would
normally advise watering in hot, dry periods
and feed with liquid manure, but hesitate to do
so in current circumstances.
PANSIES Make a sowing of winter-flowering
pansies for a display next winter/spring.
Now’s the time to encourage pod production in peas
LIFT BULBS Spring bedding bulbs, such as
tulips and hyacinths which were set in nursery
rows to complete their growth, should be about
ready for lifting, cleaning, drying and storing.
SUMMER PRUNE Wall-trained plums and
cherries, with the exception of Morello, can
have side-shoots which made growth over the
last couple of months, shortened back by a
third. Spread the work over several weeks.
AZALEA CUTTINGS My Indian azaleas
are plunged outside for the season and are
growing away well. I’ll be taking cuttings which,
when set in a shaded cold frame, should root
within the month.
THINNING Rows of seed sown in June will
need thinning. Carrots, beet, turnips, lettuce
and the like will be ready. Water after thinning
to settle those left back in place and avoid a
check.
BUY CABBAGE Obtain cabbage seed for
sowing later in the month or in early August, to
provide crops next spring.
SCHIZANTHUS Buy seed of schizanthus, the
Butterfly Flower, for sowing in August and
September to produce displays from April to
June next year.
Azalea cuttings need to be taken now
Schizanthus Pinnatus
34 MY GARDEN PLANNER
July
COMPOST The volume of waste material from
the garden tends to increase at this time and
unless diseased is useful for composting. Dry
material should be moistened to speed decay,
and a dressing of sulphate of ammonia or a
proprietary accelerator helps the process.
PLANT SEEDLINGS Seedlings of wallflower,
myosotis, digitalis and the like should be
ready for transplanting. Dress the nursery bed
with general fertiliser, which can be raked in.
Then plant the seedlings 225mm (9in) apart in
shallow drills 300mm (12in) apart. The drill will
make watering easier until the plants establish.
REMOVE HEADS Removing the seed heads
from bedding dahlias will encourage them to
continue producing flowers.
CHERRY PIE Heliotrope or Cherry Pie is normally
grown as a half-hardy annual. Cuttings can be
taken in autumn and overwintered under glass.
CLEAN GLASSHOUSES Take the opportunity
afforded by fine weather to move plants out of
the glasshouse and give it a thorough cleaning.
GERANIUM CUTTINGS A start can be made
to making cuttings of zonal and ivy-leaved
forms of geranium. Select shoots 125mm (5in)
long without flower and take care to select
them evenly from amongst the display.
PENSTEMONS Penstemons make fine border
and bedding plants that flower through summer
and autumn. Cuttings can be taken now from
unflowered shoots and inserted in a frame of
sandy soil.
START CYCLAMEN Rested corms of
Cyclamen persicum can be restarted to growth
after cleaning up and repotting.
STOP WEEDS Keep the hoe going on a
frequent basis to prevent weeds becoming
established and seeding.
One of the gardener’s friends
MY GARDEN PLANNER 35
August
36 MY GARDEN PLANNER
SeptemberSOW LAWNS This is a good time to make
lawns using seed. The days are shortening,
and by the time the seed has germinated and
the grass begins to grow we shall be well into
autumn. There will be ample time for good root
development before winter sets in, and little risk
from sun scorch.
APPLES AND PEARS Early varieties of apple
and pear can be picked when slightly under
ripe. Take care not to leave pears for too long,
or they will got soft from the middle.
DISBUD CYCLAMEN The appearance
of cyclamen flowers is eagerly awaited. A
better effect is achieved if the first to form are
removed, allowing the strength of the plant to
build.
STORE SUPPORTS As stakes and canes
come free from cleared crops, remove them
from the soil and clean and dry them before
storing.
SPACE CABBAGE If you have cabbage to
plant, space some at 30 x 22cm (12 x 9 ins).
After Christmas alternate plants can be used
as early greens, leaving the reminder to grow
to maturity.
SWEET PEAS Early blooms of sweet pea can
be had from sowings made at the beginning of
October, so it’s time to order seed.
WORM CASTS With dew and humidity,
moist worm casts are more persistent. It is
a good idea to scatter them before mowing,
lest the flattened heap provides a toe-hold
for weeds.
FINAL TRIM The growth of hedges will be
slowing down, and any that need tidying can
be given a final trim.
TAKE NOTE Make a note in your diary of
new plantings and their rough position. It’s
amazing how labels can disappear over the
year.
MY GARDEN PLANNER 37
OctoberSPRING FLOWER When planting crocus,
grape hyacinths, scillas and the like out in the
garden, keep a few back for potting for an early
indoor display.
LIFT GLADIOLI Loosen the ground with a fork
and then lift gladioli. Cut off the stem just above
the corm and ensure that they are dry before
placing in store.
PLANT PAEONIES Paeonies can be planted
now. They need deep, rich soil and prefer a
little shade to full sun.
COMPOST Make a fresh compost heap, so
that the one in current use will provide material
for digging-in later on.
PROTECT STRAWBERRIES Strawberries
potted for forcing early next year should be
given protection against frost. Plunge the pots
in sand or leaf-mould or stand in a cold frame.
SPARE BULBS Any unused bulbs can still be
potted for a display in late winter.
LETTUCE Plant winter lettuce in cold frames,
keeping them well ventilated when conditions
allow. Take precautions against slugs.
START DIGGING As land becomes vacant
in the vegetable plot, a start can be made to
digging when ground conditions are good.
Remember to leave the ground rough to allow
maximum penetration by frost.
Make a fresh compost heap
Plant winter lettuce in cold frames
38 MY GARDEN PLANNER
NovemberROTATE On the vegetable plot, don’t forget
to rotate your cropping plan both to reduce
any build-up of pest or disease, and to create
the right levels of food in the ground for
various crops. In general, lime for brassicas,
incorporate manure for legumes, and apply
general fertiliser for root crops.
CUT MINT Use shears to cut back clumps of
mint to near ground level. Take the opportunity
to remove any weeds which may have become
established, and then apply a top-dressing of
compost or leaf-mould. The old growth is not
suitable for drying, but an extra supply can
be had by lifting a clump of roots, potting or
boxing them and placing them in a glasshouse
or by a window, where the temperature will not
fall below 13C (53F).
ROOT PRUNING Any root pruning due to be
carried out to reduce vigour and induce fruiting,
should be carried out before conditions deteriorate.
LIFT OR LEAVE? Although parsnips and
horseradish are hardy, and the flavour of
parsnips is improved by frost, it still makes
sense to lift and store a proportion of the crop
to allow for days when the ground is too frozen
for lifting.
ENGINE CARE Four-stroke engines on garden
machinery that is not to be used for some time,
will benefit if a little protective oil is squirted into
cylinder and then the engine rotated until both
valves are closed.
PINCH SPROUTS Encourage the topmost
Brussels sprouts to swell by pinching out the
stem tip.
MY GARDEN PLANNER 39
DecemberGLADIOLI Gladioli, lifted and tied in bundles
or placed in boxes to dry, may be ready for
cleaning. If the foliage has withered completely,
force the old corm from beneath the new with
your thumb nail. Pull off the dried leaves and
store in a dry, frost-free place.
WHAT - NO CATALOGUES? If you find yourself
without catalogues, send off straight away. The
season for planning next year’s displays and
produce is upon us.
CLOCHE CELERY The tops of celery can be
protected, either using straw or by placing
cloches along the ridge.
PINCH CHERRIES If a new flush of growth
starts to appear on Christmas cherries -
Solanum capsicastrum - and threatens to hide
the colourful fruits, it should be pinched out.
CHOOSE WITH CARE When buying
poinsettias, choose plants with healthy bracts
and good colour. Also check the small flowers
in the centre of the head. Ideally these should
just be showing colour. If they have already
opened fully or gone over, then the display will
be that little bit shorter.
PRUNING CARE When pruning out larger
branches with a saw, first make a cut on the
underside, prevent bark tearing back as the
branch comes away. With some branches it is
a good idea to cut through initially some way
from the final position, leaving a smaller and
more manageable piece to be removed with
less chance of damage.
When choosing Poinsettias select plants with healthy bracts and good colour
Local Clubs & Societies
40 MY GARDEN PLANNER
Here are details of some of the great gardening clubs and societies in your area:
Ainsdale Horticultural Society
The society first met in 1911 with the aim of
promoting horticulture through exhibitions and
lectures.
The society celebrates its centenary next year,
although it will not be the 100th show as the
club’s equipment was damaged by a German
bomb during World War II.
The club is keen to have new members and
exhibitors and has a strong children’s and
teenagers’ section.
For details call 01704 545062 or see www.ainsdalehorticulturalsociety.org.uk
Aughton and Ormskirk Gardening Society
The society meets on the second Wednesday
of the month at 8pm, from September to May at
Aughton Village Hall, Winifred Lane.
New members and guests are welcome.
Formby Flower Club
The society, founded in 1968, holds regular
meetings with demonstrations from professional
flower arrangers and trips to gardens and
competitions.
Meetings are held on the third Wednesday
of each month, except August and December,
7.30pm at Oakleaf Hall Royal British Legion,
Whitehouse Lane, Formby.
For membership details call 01704 872760.
Formby Horticultural Society
Founded in 1886, the society holds a annual
summer and autumn shows and gives prizes for
the best front and back gardens in the village.
Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of
every month, with a break during the summer,
at the luncheon club, Rosemary Lane, Formby.
If you are interested in joining the society call
01704 872881.
Hightown Gardening Club
The club, celebrating its 25th anniversary in
2010, has more than 70 members and holds
regular events and talks throughout the year.
Meetings are held on the second Monday of
each month, 7.45pm, at St Stephen’s church
hall, St Stephens Road, Hightown.
For membership details call 0151 9292124.
Maghull and District Flower Club
This relatively new club was founded in
1999 and holds talks, visits and workshops
throughout the year.
Meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the
month, except August and December, 7.30pm
at St George’s Social Centre, Station Road,
Maghull.
To join call 0151 526 5755 or 0151 526 6869.
Local Clubs & Societies
MY GARDEN PLANNER 41
Maghull Horticultural Society
The society will celebrate its 70th anniversary
next year, after forming in 1941 as a response to
the Dig for Victory campaign.
Monthly meetings are held from September
to May at the United Reformed Church Hall, off
Larchwood Avenue, Maghull.
Parbold, Newburgh and District Gardening Society
The club was formed in 1970 and meetings
are held on the second Wednesday of the
month, from February to July and September
to November, in the WI Hall, The Common,
Parbold.
For information on joining the society or if you
wish to attend a meeting, call 01704 893124.
Skelmersdale Horticultural Society
This is an allotment society, which over the
years has dramatically improved an overgrown,
under used and vandalised site to 25 full working
plots at Houghtons Road, Skelmersdale.
The site has a 2.4m security fence, water
standpipes and storage facilities.
For more details contact Stephen Martin on
01695 720636 or email shsociety@tiscali.co.uk.www.skelmersdalehorticulturalsociety.co.uk
Southport Chrysanthemum and Gardening Society
From September to May, usually on the last
Wednesday of each month, the society holds
its meeting at Lord Street West Church Hall,
on the corner of Lord Street and Duke Street,
beginning at 8pm.
Now in its 60th year, the society has a
membership of more than 200 and new
members are always welcome.
Contact secretary Alan Foxall on 01704
214164.
www.southportgardeningandchrysanths.org.uk
Southport Horticultural Society
Originally formed in 1987 to preserve the
Southport Flower Show, Southport Horticultural
Society hold meetings at the Royal Clifton Hotel,
the Promenade, on the third Thursday of each
month.
New members are welcome to attend the
meetings. The club also organises social events
and trips throughout the year and a plant sale
each May.
For details of how to join call 01704 224687 or
01704 578296.
West Lancashire Flower Club
The club was founded in 1953 and has more
than 200 members. Meetings are held at St
James’ Memorial Hall, Lulworth Road, Birkdale,
Southport, at 2pm on the third Wednesday
of every month, except September when it
is the fourth Wednesday. No meetings are
held in August or December. For membership
information call 01704 579195.
Top Tips“A waterbut fed from the gutter that overflows into two small
ponds the first one for frogs and the second one for goldfish
are ideal. Never ever put the goldfish in with the frogs because
they eat tadpoles. Its not rocket science to get it right and
very soon your own airways will be blessed with damsel and
even dragonflies. Yes and swallows dipping down to feed on a
myriad of tiny insects.
“For those who can only sport a wall, try espaliered crab
apples, blossom to attract in the bees of may and food for
migrating birds in autumn. Hanging baskets (no sphagnum or
other moss please) and window boxes bring the scents and
sensibility of biodiversity back into our lives.
“Then please support your local flower show and I hope to
see you at Southport this year.”
Prof David Bellamy
“We’ve had a harsh winter but one useful tip is not to do
anything drastic with trees, shrubs or climbers that look as if
they have succumbed until the beginning of July. It’s surprising
how long some things take to recover and my advice is don’t
dig out anything perennial unless it has failed to show any green
growth by 1st July.”
Prof Stefan Buczacki, Southport Flower Show patron
“It is important to enrich your soil with a good soil
conditioner in April. When growth starts in May, follow up with
a plant food that encourages flowering such as pelleted poultry
manure, good but smelly!”
Richard James (Foxbury),
member of the National Gardens Scheme
“Remove all objects such as stones and glass from the soil
before planting carrots, or if the carrot hits them as it grows it
will cause ‘legs’ to form.”
Derek Thomas, chairman of Town Lane Allotment Association
“For a impressive lawn you need to cut it, feed it and water
it regularly.”
Peter Thornton, award-winning Formby gardener
“When your first seeds have germinated, don”t go mad
and grow everything in sight. It is exciting when you see your
first seeds come up, but only grow what you will eat. It is very
tempting to grow far too many vegetables, even those you don”t
particularly like.”
Tricia Pearce, chairman, Ainsdale Horticultural Society
“Just as the winter tried gardeners’ patience, so I am sure
the summer will bring unexpected surprises as plants respond
to the challenge to make up for lost time. No matter how difficult
the season, I always say that nature sorts thing out in the end
and this year there will be no better or more rewarding place
than The Southport Flower Show to see the results.”
Prof Stefan Buczacki, Southport Flower Show patron
“Put comfrey leaves or horse manure in a plastic builders”
bag, tie the top and punch holes in the bag – put it in a water
butt and you’ve got liquid manure.”
Derek Thomas,
chairman of Town Lane Allotment Association
“Don”t neglect plants you are growing in pots - they need
water more than ever during the summer.”
Adrian Williams, chairman of Maghull Horticultural Society
“Herbs are a great way to add flavour to your dishes. Grow
them near to the kitchen door, but sow basil indoors on a
windowsill and put in a greenhouse or sheltered situation –
remember it’s a Mediterranean plant.”
Tricia Pearce, chairman, Ainsdale Horticultural Society
“A well ordered compost heap does away with the need for
peat and a wild patch buzzing with biodiversity like butterflies,
moths, bees, hoverflies, worms and other creepy-crawly corner
is number one in any garden that is big enough.
“Any form of pesticide or herbicide should be banned from
this area indeed, I beg you to go easy with such chemicals in
your real quality time working out in the garden.”
Prof David Bellamy
42 MY GARDEN PLANNER
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