Tag: gardening

Our week that was: All about cooking and gardening

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This week was all about cooking and gardening. Even though I barely left the house, it was a very busy and  sociable seven days.

Preparing for our garden visit

Garden group visit

On Thursday, we hosted a garden visit by some of the members of our local Women’s Institute Garden Group and some from the village Facebook Garden Group. It was a glorious, sunny evening and the timing was just right – our garden is looking lovely with a lot of the plants currently coming into flower. I baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies and a tray of chocolate covered flapjacks for our guests to have with their teas and coffees.

People arriving at the Women's Institute plant sale

Women's Institute plant sale table

Women’s Institute plant sale & coffee morning

At the weekend, the Women’s Institute organised a plant sale and coffee morning at the Cottage. I didn’t get my seed sowing act together this year, so I couldn’t provide any plants or seedlings. Instead, my contribution was of the baked variety; pecan blondies.

The event was a great success, very well attended, and I went home with a tray of various flowering plants and vegetable seedlings for our garden.

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The Bear

Justin & I met in Brighton in the 1990s while working as chefs in the same Mexican restaurant. We both worked in restaurants, kitchens and bars for about 20 years each; because of this, The Bear appealed to us. First aired in June last year, the 8-episode series has received good reviews and numerous awards.

We watched the first episode and almost left it at that. It was full-on, high octane and made us remember why we’re glad we no longer work in the industry. We decided to stick at it, and we’re glad we did, we really enjoyed it. The acting, dialogue and photography were top quality; it left us wanting more.

The Bear is available to watch on Hulu – the second series is due to be released later this month (June 2023).

How to keep your garden clean and organised for a better growing experience

How to keep your garden clean and organised for a better growing experience

Transform your garden into a refreshing outdoor oasis with these simple tips for keeping it clean and organised. Discover how to maintain the perfect balance of lush greenery and relaxing ambiance that will invigorate your senses and soothe your soul. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned gardener, ensuring a well-maintained garden is crucial for optimal growth and aesthetic appeal. Follow these expert tips to keep your garden clean, organised and looking beautiful all year long. You could also purchase compost accelerator, which is made up of beneficial bacteria and nutrients to speed up decomposition.

Clean up debris

Transform your garden into a thriving outdoor haven by keeping it clean and free of debris. Leaves, branches and twigs may seem harmless, but they can attract harmful pests and diseases to your beloved plants. By regularly cleaning and removing dead or decaying plants, weeds and overgrown foliage, you can ensure a healthy and welcoming space for your garden to flourish. Don’t let clutter hold back your garden’s full potential – clean it up and let it thrive!

Install oil tanks

Declutter your garden while keeping it in top condition with oil tanks. These convenient storage units allow you to safely store fertilisers and chemicals away from your main outdoor areas. Protect your plants from soil erosion and insect pests while keeping everything you need for a thriving garden in one organised place. Trust oil tanks to simplify your gardening routine and beautify your outdoor space. Be sure to install oil tank containers to keep your garden healthy!

Watering system

Having an effective watering system is essential for keeping your garden clean and organised. Installing water butts and a proper irrigation system will ensure that all the plants get the required amount of water on a regular basis without having to water them every day manually. Moreover, it can help save water consumption by allowing you to adjust water pressure levels accordingly depending on your needs and requirements at any given time.

Mulching

Mulching is one of the most important aspects of keeping your garden clean and organised. It helps prevent weed growth by inhibiting light from reaching their roots while creating a protective layer around plant roots that keeps moisture in the soil during hot summer days. Furthermore, mulch acts as a natural fertiliser for plants by breaking down over time, providing vital nutrients that help keep them healthy and strong all year round.

Pruning & trimming

Regularly pruning and trimming plants helps keep them healthy while ensuring they do not grow too tall or wild out of control over time. Pruning allows you to shape trees into more aesthetically pleasing forms while removing dead branches or diseased sections before they spread throughout the entire tree trunk or stem, quickly causing serious damage over time if left unchecked properly in due time! Additionally, regular trimming helps promote good air circulation throughout the canopy, which prevents mould growth while increasing photosynthesis efficiency leading to higher yields!

Composting

Composting is another effective way of keeping your garden clean and organised whilst providing vital nutrients for plants at the same time! Compost helps improve soil structure making it easier for roots to penetrate deeper into subsoil layers allowing for better nutrient absorption over time! Additionally, compost attracts beneficial microorganisms such as earthworms whose activities aerate soils leading to improved drainage during wetter periods, thus helping reduce instances of plant diseases due to excessively wet conditions often experienced during rainy seasons!

Keeping your garden clean and organised is an essential part of maintaining a healthy and vibrant space. By following these steps, such as cleaning up debris, installing oil tanks, setting up watering systems, mulching plants regularly, pruning and trimming trees properly and composting to provide vital nutrients for the soil; you can easily ensure that your garden remains neat and tidy year-round while providing plenty of opportunities for growth! With just a few simple steps you can keep your outdoor oasis looking its best while enjoying it at its fullest potential.

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Price Points: Bulb planters

Bulb planters

I’ve been itching to get out into the garden and get the soil between my fingers. It feels as though winter has gone on forever this year!

April and May are the recommended months for planting summer and autumn-flowering bulbs; blooms such as agapanthus, alliums, anemones, begonias, cannas, crocosmia, dahlias, eucomis, freesias, gladioli, lilies, nerines and peonies.

I planted a number of daffodils and narcissi at the front of the cottage when we first moved in, but I want to plant lots more. The earth in most of the garden is well drained and easy to work. At the front of the house it is much harder and more compacted – making holes to plant bulbs is a laborious job. A bulb planter would make the task somewhat easier. A long handled one would be my favoured option – less stress on the back. Check out the bulb planters we’ve short-listed.

  1. Bulb planter: £5.05, B&Q
  2. Kent and Stowe stainless steel long handled bulb planter: £32.99, Crocus
  3. Sneeboer timber bulb planter: £119.95, Harrod Horticultural

shop bulb planters

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Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Sneeboer timber bulb planter
Sneeboer timber bulb planter
£119.95
Kent and Stowe stainless steel long handled bulb planter
Kent and Stowe stainless steel long handled bulb planter
£32.99
Bulb planter
Bulb planter
£5.05
Sneeboer timber bulb planter
Sneeboer timber bulb planter
£119.95
Kent and Stowe stainless steel long handled bulb planter
Kent and Stowe stainless steel long handled bulb planter
£32.99
Bulb planter
Bulb planter
£5.05
Sneeboer timber bulb planter
Sneeboer timber bulb planter
£119.95
Kent and Stowe stainless steel long handled bulb planter
Kent and Stowe stainless steel long handled bulb planter
£32.99
Bulb planter
Bulb planter
£5.05
Sneeboer timber bulb planter
Sneeboer timber bulb planter
£119.95
Kent and Stowe stainless steel long handled bulb planter
Kent and Stowe stainless steel long handled bulb planter
£32.99
Bulb planter
Bulb planter
£5.05
Sneeboer timber bulb planter
Sneeboer timber bulb planter
£119.95
Kent and Stowe stainless steel long handled bulb planter
Kent and Stowe stainless steel long handled bulb planter
£32.99
Bulb planter
Bulb planter
£5.05

5 herbs to grow in your garden in 2023

5 herbs to grow in your garden in 2023

Herbs are an essential part of a healthy lifestyle as eating  them daily may help support the body from the inside out as they provide a wide range of nutrient-rich compounds. This includes vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other phytochemicals that nature has provided for human consumption. Furthermore, herbs have four major components that flavour dishes and boost health. Such components include essential oils, glycosides and alkaloids; their pleasant aromas give our meals an extra layer of goodness. One must include herbs and spices in their diet for nutritional benefits and unique tastes.

Why are people moving towards growing herbs in their gardens in 2023?

Many people have been growing herbs in their garden this year, and for good reason. Individuals find the experience of gardening and the satisfaction of harvesting their produce stimulating and rewarding. Additionally, cultivating herbs at home allows one to experiment with different spices and seasoning to add range to their cooking repertoire and enhance the flavour of dishes.

Gardening is also an environmentally conscious choice as it reduces waste from store-bought products with packaging and which often requires more transportation before reaching our tables. Lastly, growing herbs is an economic decision since home-grown plants are typically more affordable than purchasing herbs from the supermarket regularly. These factors combine to create an appealing option for consumers wishing to regain control over how they access fresh produce.

5 herbs to grow in your garden

1. Lavender

Lavender is an attractive, fragrant, low-maintenance herb that can add life and interest to any garden. Its gentle aroma can fill the air, and the purple flowers attract pollinating insects. Lavender thrives in well-drained soil and direct sunlight and is suitable for growing direct in the ground or pots. Whether you choose a single plant or a grouping, lavender is a beautiful choice to jazz up your garden. And with plentiful benefits such as improved relaxation and enhanced sleep quality, this helpful herb provides additional comfort for homeowners looking to promote overall health and well-being.

2. Mint

Mint is a popular herb for your garden due to its hardy nature and great flavour. It prefers moist soil and partial sun, so it can sometimes be more suitable for shady patches than direct sunlight. Planting mint in containers is also an excellent way to ensure the roots don’t spread too far out and overrun other parts of your landscaping. Harvesting it regularly helps keep the leaves fresh, sweet-smelling, and full of flavour throughout the growing season – perfect for garnishing salads or adding a tangy kick to tea!

3. CBD

CBD, or cannabidiol, has become a popular topic lately but what many people don’t know is that it is an excellent herb to grow in the garden. It’s relatively easy to cultivate and requires very little maintenance. With light watering and good sunlight, CBD plants will multiply and you can enjoy its attractive foliage in no time. Its beautiful leaves come in shades of green, purple and even pink, making it an aesthetically pleasing addition to any garden. Moreover, accessing quality CBD oil in UK after harvesting your plant can be far cheaper than buying it from stores. Cannabidiol could genuinely be a great decorative shrub for your urban outdoors!

If you were wondering – yes, it’s currently legal to grow hemp in the UK. However, you’d need to apply for a license from the Home Office to grow hemp in your garden. Moreover, only hemp plants with less than 0.02% THC are permitted to be grown in the UK.

4. Rosemary

Rosemary is a delightful addition to any garden. It’s low maintenance and drought tolerant, making it an ideal plant for almost any environment. To get the best results, position your rosemary in an area that receives plenty of sunlight and has well-drained soil with a pH of around 6-7. Regular pruning in spring can encourage good growth, while fertilising once or twice a year will promote lush foliage. When harvesting the leaves, trim just above where leaves join stems not to disturb the plant’s natural shape and vigorous growth habits. Occasional watering during dry spells will prevent wilting, but too much moisture may make it susceptible to soft rot fungus and other diseases. With proper care and attention, rosemary can provide mouth-watering flavour to your culinary creations for many seasons!

5. Sage

Growing sage in your garden can be an excellent experience for both novice and experienced gardeners. Sage is hardy and relatively easy to grow, provided you have the right conditions. This herb prefers full sun, though it can withstand some light shade. Soil with good drainage is essential; the soil pH should range between 5.6 and 6.8 (slightly acidic to neutral). Watering sage frequently but lightly during dry spells will ensure optimal growth.

Additionally, mulching is recommended to help conserve water and prevent weed growth. Lastly, pruning should be done regularly to allow new shoots to develop and become more vigorous plants with more potent aroma.

Things to bear in mind when growing herbs in your garden in 2023

If you plan to plant herbs in your garden this year, there are a few things to remember:

  • Begin by finding the right location: herbs need at least 6 hours of sunlight daily to thrive.
  • Also, herbs require good soil drainage; waterlogged soil can lead to root rot and quickly kill plants.
  • When it comes time to water your herbs, watch for signs that they might be thirsty; look for curling or wilting leaves and water accordingly.
  • Observe if your herbs begin to display discolouration or insect damage. It could be time to use some gentle organic pest control methods like introducing helpful predatory insects into your garden or using neem oil spray.
  • Finally, when harvesting your herbs, ensure you leave sufficient leaves on each plant, as it’s essential for allowing them to continue producing healthy foliage and flowers!

Conclusion

In conclusion, growing herbs is a great way to access fresh and tasty ingredients while adding a bit of natural beauty to your home. Most herbs are incredibly easy to grow and require little maintenance or effort. Planting herbs in pots allows you to enjoy their fresh flavour outside your door or indoors in window containers. Additionally, many herbs have medicinal properties that can be used for healing or incorporated into health and wellness routines. Dozens of herb varieties thrive in various climates, from cold temperate regions to hot, humid ones. With the proper care and attention, anyone can successfully grow herbs at home and reap the many benefits they offer!

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