The following are a series of garden advice tips that I popped out on twitter last weekend.
It seems that they proved quite popular for the short stop/ time short and not owners of a million acres of land out there and it was suggested that I pop them a little more formally here.
As you will gather there is no particular order to them, there are 20 in total and none should take you more than a few minutes leading to about an hour.
Happy gardening and enjoy,
Peter
Some garden advice tips for the heatwave bank holiday:
1)If you’re buying plants to plants today/ fill the wheelie bin full of water/ drop them in it/ wait until they sink/ plant when the sun goes down
2) if you don’t plant them today. Drop in the wheelie bin anyway/ place in the shade until you get round to it.
3) If you’re getting bark mulch. The large chip frizzles in the heat. Instead get the fine chip/ wet the soil surface first/ then apply/ it’ll stick to it.
4) For plant fertliser: get a slow release (granular) version – looks like a small yellow M&M – less chance of you overdosing them/ a tea spoon by the base of the plant. Not necessarily for new plants – it’s in the compost already
5) Small garden spaces require a bright backdrop. Masonry paint to the timber (fencing/ walls). Sheds always dark (matt black) – so they don’t, become the focal point.
6) If you’ve a bad lawn/ bald patches – 1st cut the “grass”/ long handled fork – deep as you can, spike it/ fill holes with compost; sweeping brush it in/ scatter seed and a granular fertilser – use a spreader if poss. You’re essentially replicating this.
7) a water butt is cheaper than a plumber and easy to install. An old blog post/ ignore the first bit. NB. You’ll need a drill & one of these bits 👇.
- How to: Install a water butt
8) Statistically – I’ve removed more timber decking/ decks in the last 2 years than I’ve installed in the last 17 years in business – and – planted more “hedges” in the last 18 months than the last 17 years. This may prove beneficial when selecting
- Hedge types: 10 plants for an Irish hedge
9) it’s been a tough year for plants temperatures in mind/ not all trees in leaf & 1st week in May. Bedding plants (possibly forced) not worth the money – instead (an option) plant strawberries w/ chives as the centre piece – the gift that keeps on giving/ you’ll have em next yr
10) for the neglectful gardener…. dwarf grasses are extremely resilient & great for small spaces/ container / balcony planting. This list is also Irish grown & available nationwide.
11) Re trees – Betula (birch) jacquemontii are ridiculously priced (or forced/ imported) – you may blame building architects. 3 plum trees or pear 👇 should set you back less than 50 quid. The latter in flower now – plant triangular 1.5 m apart
12) re tools – recommended investment. (no affiliation/ what I only use).
- secateurs/ lopping shears – Felco
- drills – DeWalt
- powerhose Karcher
- shovel (I don’t own a spade) long handle only – True Temper Tools
- fertilser & spreader Scotts Lawn Care
13) on that note…. avoid petrol mowers if poss/ if you must get a (specifically only) mulching mower or – one of these boys. Cost about 50 quid. Like cycling v much back in fashion.
14) for tree pruning – DONT top them – the auxins/ growth hormones go mad/ same principal as thickening up a hedge; but at a height. Instead, crown raise or/ drop the lower limbs (to increase light in)/ think telegraph pole. An eg of mine.
15) If you only own a windowledge – no garden ?
- Grow your avocado
- dried peas (soak first)
- popcorn kernels
- basil (you’ll have to buy these)
- skip all of that and buy a cactus
- plant a garlic clove – twice its dept below the surface.
16) grow lettuce or rocket seeds. Simplest instructional video ever. Yoghurt pots / gutter pipe hung from the side of your shed/ balcony if you’re tight on space.
17) A very quick project ? garden furniture: (have this, 15 years) give it a new lease of life. NB: requires creme brûlée blow torch. If buying new, buy hardwood; expensive/ worth it.
18) re red in garden design (see previous re bench) – we’ve been using it in gardens for centuries. NB: doesn’t work unless, the backdrop is dull/ matt green.
19) if ur gonna re-use old pots (and do), sterilse first w/ milton (as for baby bottles). In seeds, if you dont they det ‘damping off’- essentially they germinate, then keel over & die. Also, use fresh compost. ie. good husbandry.
- Post: Vine Weevil
20) bulb planting: Twice it’s depth below soil level; & throw it in anyway you like – sideway/ upside down et cetera.
21) if you’ve any Q’s ask away. might add to this, if I think of any ; we’ll see. enjoy the sunshine. Xx
–
Some garden advice tips for the heatwave bank holiday:
1) if you’re buying plants to plants today/ fill the wheelie bin full of water/ drop them in it/ wait until they sink/ plant when the sun goes down— Peter Donegan (@DoneganGardens) May 5, 2018