my gardening handbook

sam

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if you find this handbookplease return to...

sam

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spade rake

gloves

shears

secateurs

pruning saw

bucket

watering canpots and planters

wheel barrow spray bottle

hand forkhand cultivator

trowel dibber

fork

tools...

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propagation:To develop plants from vegetative means e.g. from cuttings or from seed.

drill:A straight furrow in the soil where seedlings are plantedor seeds sown.

prick out:To transfer seedlings into pots, or trays, to give them more space to develop.

grafting:Taking part of a plant and artificially joining it to another, to eventually create one functioning plant.

direct sow:To sow seeds where you want the plants final position to be.

broadcast sowing:Scattering seeds evenly over the ground.

pinching out: Removing growing tips of the plant to encourage side growth.

dead-heading: Removing previous blooms on a plant to encourage new growth and flowering.

glossary...

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annual:A plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season.

biennial:A plant that completes its life cycle over two growing seasons.

perennial:Any plant living for at least three years.

evergreen:Describes plants that retain most of their leaves throughout the year.

deciduous:A plant that sheds its leaves at the end of the growing season and renews them at the beginning of the next.

hardy:Able to withstand yearly climatic conditions e.g. frostwithout added protection.

rootball:The roots and attached soil of a plant when it is removed from the ground or container.

seedling:When a seed has developed into a small young plant.

glossary...

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indoor plants...

snake plant (sansevieria trifasciata) bromeliad (bromeliaceae)

jade plant (crassula ovata) devils ivy (epipremnum aureum)

lambs ear (stachys byzantina) rubber plant (ficus elastica)

dumb canes (dieffenbachia) spider plant (chlorophytum)

cactus (cactaceae) cast-iron plant (aspidistra elatior)

widow’s-thrill (kalanchoe) air plant (tillandsia argentea)

peace lily (spathiphyllum) radiator plant (peperomia)

shamrock plant (trifolium dubium) fiddle-leaf fig (ficus lyrata)

areca palm (dypsis lutescens) dragon tree (dracaena fragrans)

prayer plant (maranta) ponytail palm (beaucarnea recurvata)

moth orchid (phalaenopsis) crown of thorns (euphorbia milii)

christmas cactus (schlumbergera) zanzibar gem (zamioculcas zamiifolia)

dwarf umbrella tree (schefflera) devils tongue (sansevierias)

corn plant (dracaena fragrans) valentine plant (sweetheart hoya)

asparagus fern (asparagus aethiopicus) laceleaf (anthurium)

chinese evergreen (aglaonema) weeping fig (ficus benjamina)

parlor palm (chamaedorea elegans) spiderwort (tradescantia)

arrowhead vine (syngonium podophyllum) grape ivy (cissus rhombifolia)

norfolk island pine (araucaria heterophylla) rushfoil (croton)

goldfish plant (columnea) lucky bamboo (dracaena sanderiana)

croton (euphorbiaceae) kentia palm (howea) begonia (begoniaceae)

parlour palm (chamaedorea elegans) oilcloth flower (anthurium anderianum)

chinese banyan (ficus microcarpa) blue rain bromeliad (aechmea)

swiss cheese plant (monstera deliciosa) mistletoe cactus (rhipsalis baccifera)

pitcher plant (sarracenia flava) venus fly trap (dionaea muscipula)

bird’s-nest fern (asplenium nidus) areca palm (dypsis lutescens)

golden barrel cactus (echinocactus grusonii) spineless yucca (yucca elephantipes)

cape sundew (drosera capensis) madagascar jasmine (stephanotis floribunda)

angel’s tears (soleirolia soleirolii) common ivy (hedera helix)

bird of paradise (strelitzia reginae) sago palm (cycas revoluta)

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ornamental pineapple (ananas comosus) aloe vera (barbados aloe)

calla lily (zantedeschia) tropical pitcher plant (nepenthes)

dragon plant (dracaena marginata) waxplant (hoya)

emerald fern (asparagus densiflorus sprengeri) african violet (saintpaulia)

birds nest fern (asplenium nidus) elephants ear (alocasia)

mind your own business (soleirolia soleirolii) english ivy(hedera helix)

zygopetalum orchid (zygopetalum) boat orchid (cymbidium)

chinese money plant (pilea peperomioides) crab cactus (schlumbergera)

pygmy date palm (phoenix roebelenii) ghost echeveria (echeveria lilacina)

spotted begonia (begonia maculate) spider orchid (brassia toscane)

maidenhair fern fragrans (adiantum raddianum) kaffir lily (clivia miniata)

desert rose (adenium obesum) boston fern (nephrolepis exaltata)

string of beads (senecio rowleyanus) elephant’s foot (beaucarnea recurvata)

boat orchid (cymbidium erythraeum) pepper plant (capsicum annuum)

old lady cactus (mammillaria hahniana) pink jasmine (jasminum polyanthum)

zebra plant (calathea) black hens and chicks (echeveria)

barberton daisy (gebera jamesonii) angel wing begonia (begoniaceae)

blushing bromeliad (neoregelia carolinae) coral berry (ardisia crenata)

florist cyclamen (cyclamen persicum) amaryllis (amaryllis hippeastrum)

lollipop plant (pachystachys lutea) flowering maple (abutilon hybridum)

flamingo flower (anthurium scherzerianum) eternal flame (calathea crocata) african violet (saintpaulia) false shamrock plant (oxalis triangularis)

poinsettia (euphorbia pulcherrima) queens tears plant (billbergia nutans)

rose of china (hibiscus rosa-sinensis) medusa's head (tillandsia caput medusae)

poison primrose (primula obconica) scarlet star (guzmania lingulata)

winter cherry plant (solanum capsicastrum) slipper orchid (paphiopedilums)

urn plant (aechmea fasciata) busy lizzie (impatiens walleriana)

beach spider lilies (hymenocallis littoralis) flaming sword (vriesea splendens)

corsage orchid (cattleya orchid) cretan brake fern (pteris cretica)

madagascar jasmine (stephanotis floribunda) hawaiian ti (cordyline terminalis)

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rhubarb (rheum rhabarbarum) tayberry (rubus fruticosus x idaeus)

japanese wineberry (rubus phoenicolasius) grape (vitis vinifera) goji berry (lycium barbarum) fig (ficus carica)

cranberry (oxycoccus) kiwi (actinidia deliciosa) plum (prunus domestica) blackcurrant (ribes nigrum)

cherry (prunus avium) pear (pyrus)

apple (malus) quince (cydonia oblonga)

strawberry (fragaria × ananassa) gooseberry (ribes uva-crispa)

raspberry (rubus idaeus) blackberry (rubus)

lemon (citrus × limon) orange (citrus × sinensis)

blueberry (cyanococcus) noni fruit (morinda citrifolia)

apricot (prunus armeniaca) melon (cucumis melo)

peach (prunus persica) redcurrant (ribes rubrum)

nectarine (prunus persica var. nectarine) lime (citrus × aurantiifolia)

loganberry (rubus × loganobaccus) guava (psidium guajava)

passion fruit (passiflora edulis) papaya (carica papaya)

pomegranate (punica granatum) longan (dimocarpus longan)

mangosteen (garcinia mangostana) jackfruit (artocarpus heterophyllus)

llychee (litchi chinenesis) pineapple (ananas comosus)

avocado (persea americana) pomelo (citrus maxima)

durian (durio) coconut (cocos nucifera)

banana (musa) clementine (citrus × clementina)

grapefruit (citrus x paradise) tangerine (citrus reticulate)

mandarin (citrus unshiu) sand pear (pyrus pyrifolia)

dragon fruit (hylocereus undatus) mango (mangifera indica)

watermelon (citrullus lanatus) prickly pear (opuntia)

golden berries (physalis peruviana) whitecurrant (ribes rubrum)

satsuma (citrus unshiu) cape gooseberry (physalis)

elderberry (sambucus) boysenberry (rubus ursinus × rubus idaeus)

persimmon (diospyros) horned melon (cucumis metuliferus)

fruit...

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vegetables...

garlic (allium sativum) lettuce (lactuca sativa)

radish (raphanus sativus) courgette (cucurbita pepo)

bean (phaseolus vulgaris) sweet pepper (capsicum annuum)

chilli pepper (capsicum annuum var. annuum) kale (brassica oleracea)

onion (allium cepa) pumpkin (cucurbita pepo)

butternut squash (cucurbita moschata) marrow (cucurbita pepo)

potato (solanum tuberosum) spring onion (allium cepa)

horseradish (armoracia rusticana) broad bean (vicia faba)

peas (pisum sativum) runner beans (phaseolus coccineus) beetroot (beta vulgaris) bush beans (phaseolus vulgaris)

carrots (daucus carota) mustard (brassica juncea)

lettuce (lactuca sativa) spinach (spinacia oleracea)

swiss chard (beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris)

sugar snap peas (pisum sativum var. macrocarpon)

summer squash (cucurbita pepo) ginger (zingiber officinale)

kohlrabi (brassica oleracea gongylodes)

turnip (brassica rapa subsp. rapa) leek (allium ampeloprasum)

shallots (allium cepa var. aggregatum) quinoa (chenopodium quinoa)

chinese cabbage (brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis) brussels sprouts (brassica oleracea var. gemmifera)

cauliflower (brassica oleracea var. botrytis) cucumber (cucumis sativus)

parsnips (pastinaca sativa) watercress (nasturtium officinale)

celery (apium graveolens) mushrooms (agaricus bisporus)

aubergine (solanum melongena) broccoli (brassica oleracea)

fennel (foeniculum vulgare) jerusalem artichoke (helianthus tuberosus)

okra (abelmoschus esculentus) swede (brassica napobrassica)

sweet potato (ipomoea batatas) tomato (solanum lycopersicum)

black-eyed beans (vigna unguiculata)

rhubarb (rheum rhabarbarum) wasabi (wasabia japonica)

asparagus (asparagus officinalis) sweetcorn (zea mays)

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Always be sure of the plants you are picking to eat, never eat any plant you don’t recognise as edible. Seek medical advice

immediately if you become ill - if in doubt, don’t eat it!

day lily (hemerocallis) elderflower (sambucus nigra)

hibiscus (h. rosa-sinensis) hollyhock (alcea rosea)

lavender (lavandula augustifolia) nasturtium (tropaeolum majus)

pot marigold (calendula officinalis) primrose (primula vulgaris)

rose (rosa) borage (borago offincinalis)

basil (ocimum basilicum) dill (anethum graveolens)

chives (allium schoenoprasum) clover (trifolium pratense)

courgette flowers (cucurbita pepo var. cylindrica) marrow flowers (cucurbita pepo) candytuft (iberis)

fennel (foeniculum vulgare) garden pea flowers (pisum sativum)

mint (mentha) rosemary flowers (rosmarinus officinalis)

salad rocket (eruca vescaria) scented geraniums (pelagonium)

sunflower (helianthus annuus) sweet violet (viola odorata)

lilac (syringa) lemon verbena (aloysia citrodora)

tiger lily (lilium leucanthemum var. tigrinum) jasmine (jasminum)

angelica (angelica archangelica) anise hyssop (agastache foeniculum)

arugula blossoms (eruca sativa) cornflower (centaurea cyanus)

bee balm (monarda) calendula blossoms (calendula officinalis)

begonia (begonia x tuberhybrida) nigella (nigella sativa)

monkeyflower (mimulus) perennial phlox (phlox paniculata)

peony (paeonia) tulip petals (tulipa)

fuchsia (fuchsia magellanica) hyssop (hyssopus officinalis)

busy lizzie (impatiens walleriana) carnation(dianthus amurensis)

wallflower (erysimum) catmint (nepeta cataria)

dahlia (asteraceae) viola (viola cornuta)

evening primrose (oenothera) magnolia (magnolia grandiflora)

edible plants & flowers...

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basil (ocimum basilicum) mint (mentha spp.)

parsley (petroselinum crispum) caraway (carum carvi)

marjoram (origanum vulgare) chervil (anthriscus cerefolium)

coriander (coriandrum sativum) rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis)

sage (salvia officinalis) dill (anethum graveolens)

lemon balm (melissa officinalis) oregano (Origanum vulgare)

french tarragon (artemisia dracunculus) chives (allium schoenoprasum)

thyme (thymus vulgaris) bay (laurus nobilis)

lavender (lavandula) peppermint (mentha × piperita)

tarragon (artemisia dracunculus) sorrel (rumex acetosa)

fennel (foeniculum vulgare) chamomile (matricaria chamomilla)

jasmine (jasminum) catnip (nepeta cataria)

st. john’s wort (hypericum perforatum) garlic (allium sativum)

ginseng (panax) ginger (zingiber officinale)

stevia (stevia rebaudiana) cloves (syzygium aromaticum)

aloe vera (aloe barbadensis miller) lemongrass (cymbopogon)

chervil (anthriscus cerefolium) bay laurel (laurus nobilis)

kaffir lime (citrus hystrix) borage (borago officinalis)

epazote (dysphania ambrosioides) lemon verbena (aloysia citrodora)

lovage (levisticum officinale) nasturtium (tropaeolum)

salad burnet (sanguisorba minor) scented geranium (pelargonium)

dandelion (taraxacum) stinging nettle (urtica dioica)

pineapple sage (salvia elegans) comfrey (symphytum)

alfalfa (medicago sativa) wormwood (artemisia absinthium)

horny goat weed (epimedium) liverwort (marchantiophyta)

burdock (arctium) euphrasia (orobanchaceae)

licorice root (glycyrrhiza glabra) damiana (turnera diffusa)

fo ti (fallopia multiflora) yarrow (achillea millefolium)

wheatgrass (thinopyrum intermedium) milk thistle (silybum marianum)

purple coneflower (echinacea purpurea) butterbur (petasites)

herbs...

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bees...

Bees are important pollinators in our gardens and they help sustain the planet’s ecosystem. They move from flower to flower to collect nectar and pollen, an essential step for transferring pollen to fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and plants. The number of bees are in decline, some species have become extinct due to a combination of toxic sprays, intensive agriculture and loss of flower rich grass land.

fun facts

• The average worker bee lives for just five to six weeks.

• The average worker bee produces around a twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime.

• The worker honey bees are female and can sting.

• Male honey bees have no stinger and do not work at all. All they do is mate.

• The queen bee can live up to five years.

• It takes one ounce of honey to fuel a bee's flight around the world.

• The queen bee lays up to 2500 eggs per day.

• A bee’s wings beat 190 times a second.

• Honeybees never sleep.

drone queen worker

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summer nights (heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra)

hellebore (helleborus purpurascens) winter wonder calendula (calendula)

lungwort silver bouquet (pulmonaria 'silver bouquet')

honeywort (cerinthe major 'purpurascens') hydrangea (hydrangea paniculata)

blueberry bluecrop (vaccinium corymbosum) dog rose hedging (rosa canina)

bramley apple (malus domestica 'bramley's seedling')

blackberry ‘apache’ (rubus) whitecurrant (versailles blanche)

plum ‘opal’ (prunus domestica 'opal') wall flower ‘fire king’ (erysimum)

strawberry ‘sweetheat’ (fragaria x ananassa)

persian wallflower (nigella damascena) field maple (acer campestre)

winter honeysuckle (lonicera fragrantissima)

enkianthus (enkianthus campanulatus) abelia (abelia x grandiflora’)

flowering currant (ribes sanguineum) evening primrose (oenothera biennis)

field poppy (papaver rhoeas) cornflower (centaurea cyanus)

field scabious (knautia arvensis) ox-eye daisy (leucanthemum vulgare)

teasel (dipsacus fullonum) cowslip (primula veris)

greater knapweed (centaurea scabiosa) common box (buxus sempervirens)

oleaster (elaeagnus × ebbingei 'limelight') oval leaf privet (ligustrum ovalifolium)

common hawthorn (crataegus monogyna) tansy (tanacetum vulgare)white japanese rose (rosa rugosa 'alba') flowering currant (ribes sanguineum)

plants perfect for pollinators...

hummingbirds

ants

bats hawk moths

monarch butterflies

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wildlife...

There are many ways in which you can encourage different wildlife into your garden, here are a few examples to get those creatures in.

go wildCultivating an area of your garden and leaving it to grow wild can encourage small mammals and insects. Adding in dead wood can also attract insects like beetles!

leave the leavesA pile of leaves in a damp and shady area can encourage small wildlife such as frogs, toads, newts and slug eating centipedes.

hedgehog hibernationCreate a sheltered safe place for hedgehogs to hibernate in over the winter, or buy a hedgehog house for them to stay in. Special feed can also be purchased to encourage them to come into your garden.

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birds not the beesPutting up bird boxes on trees or structures in your garden will help attract birds to nest. Try and find a well sheltered position to put them in. Putting up bird feeders, tables and baths will also help attract a mixture of species.

bug houseTie together a bundle of bamboo canes and place it in a crevice of a tree, or a cracked structure. This can encourage little bugs such as ladybirds which feast on aphids.

how to make a bug hotelyou will need:

• untreated timber • hollow canes such as bamboo • pieces of branch or other wood • wood saw • drill and wood drill bit • screws • screwdriver

1. Start with approximately 2cm thick timber, or some old decking that you have lying around.

2. Cut two pieces of wood to the same length to use for the sides, and two shorter pieces to the same length for the top (for a flat roof ) and bottom. To make a pitched roof you need to cut two identical length pieces, these need to be long enough to overhang the sides when finished.

3. Screw the wood together, add glue to make it stronger and also to seal the edges.

4. Choose your favourite coloured weather proof paint and apply it to the outside of the box.

5. Add a covering to the roof if you want to add another element to the hotel, maybe roofing felt, tiles or slate. Make sure you cover or seal the join in the top of a pitched roof.

6. Cut some garden bamboo canes into lengths to fit inside the box - sand off the rough edges. To attract different insects, use canes with varying hole size.

7. Attach your bug hotel to a wooden stand, fence or post using a weather proof screw(s).

8. Finally sit back and watch the insects come and visit.

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soap sprayUseful to deter small insects such as aphids and mites. Add two tablespoons of liquid soap to a litre (a quart) of water, and spray over the selected plants.

chilli sprayGood for keeping mites and small insects away. Simply mix together a few drops of liquid soap, two tablespoons of hot pepper sauce, and a litre (a quart) of water in a spray bottle and leave to settle for a few hours. When ready to use, shake the bottle well and apply to the infected areas.

milk sprayGreat for controlling powdery mildew problems. Mix together milk and water in a bottle and spray over the infected plants. A treatment per week for three weeks will help control the issue.

baking powder mixIdeal for helping with plant fungal diseases. Add together 4 litres (a gallon) of water with two tablespoons of baking powder, and spray over the infected areas. Keep applying every few days until the disease is under control.

vinegarGreat for getting rid of some of those annoying weeds. Apply some vinegar directly to the leaves of the weeds with a brush, be careful not to get it on any surrounding plants.

home remedies...

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soap sprayUseful to deter small insects such as aphids and mites. Add two tablespoons of liquid soap to a litre (a quart) of water, and spray over the selected plants.

chilli sprayGood for keeping mites and small insects away. Simply mix together a few drops of liquid soap, two tablespoons of hot pepper sauce, and a litre (a quart) of water in a spray bottle and leave to settle for a few hours. When ready to use, shake the bottle well and apply to the infected areas.

milk sprayGreat for controlling powdery mildew problems. Mix together milk and water in a bottle and spray over the infected plants. A treatment per week for three weeks will help control the issue.

baking powder mixIdeal for helping with plant fungal diseases. Add together 4 litres (a gallon) of water with two tablespoons of baking powder, and spray over the infected areas. Keep applying every few days until the disease is under control.

vinegarGreat for getting rid of some of those annoying weeds. Apply some vinegar directly to the leaves of the weeds with a brush, be careful not to get it on any surrounding plants.

home remedies... my remedies...

sam

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visits and inspiration...

date location ideas and notes

jardim botânico. brooklyn botanic garden. kew gardens. pukeiti gardens. lotusland.

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visits and inspiration...

mount stewart. kirstenbosch national botanical garden. tresco abbey gardens. giverny.

date location ideas and notes

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sowing guide...

broad beans

cabbage

sow plant harvest

j j jf m ma a s o n d

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sowing guide...

sow plant harvest

j j jf m ma a s o n d

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essential tasks for spring...

prepare seed beds. mow lawn. remove pond heaters. protect new spring shoots from slugs.

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mulch plants with compost. plant asparagus. prune bush and climbing roses. replant herbs.

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my plants...

name:

date planted:plant location:

characteristics:

notes:

water requirements:

position:

months of interest:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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name:

date planted:plant location:

characteristics:

notes:

water requirements:

position:

months of interest:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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recipe

cooking time:

my garden ingredients:

method:

serves:

serve in: spring summer autumn winter

sam

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recipe

cooking time:

my garden ingredients:

method:

serves:

serve in: spring summer autumn winter

sam

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my garden photos...

date: title:

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sam

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