Hanging Baskets planted by us!

Come to Crowders to have your hanging baskets and tubs planted!

You buy the products, and we’ll plant them!

Already have baskets and tubs? No problem! Bring them in and have us plant them with plants you have purchased from us.

Name that plant! (Identify six selected plants to enter the draw for a chance to win them) Worth around £100

Pedro The Clown!

Come to see Pedro The Clown on Sunday between 10am – 4pm

Entertaining families since 1967, Pedro the Clown (otherwise known as journalist and broadcaster Peter Brown) returns to Crowders in Horncastle on Sunday May 6, for the first time since 2007.

Celebrating 45 years as an entertainer, Peter has appeared in circuses and stage shows in many parts of Britain, and as far away as Germany and Finland. Frequently heard presenting programmes on Lincoln City Radio, Peter is also the author of  “Hold The Front Page” and “Send In The Clowns”. These will be available to purchase on Sunday and Pedro will be happy to sign them.

Kids treasure hunt (Follow the clues to enter the draw for a fantastic prize)

Colouring competition (Colour in one of our printed pictures and leave with us to be judged on 13^th May. The winner receives a mystery prize!

……..And Relax!

Our brand new kitchen is now providing fresh, light meals and in-house baked cakes and scones.  Freshly ground coffee or various teas make your experience complete.

Fancy something a bit more filling and delicious? Try out our fantastic new restaurant: The Redwood.  The food is freshly prepared and cooked using the best ingredients around.  Treat your tastebuds to Lincolnshire’s Freshest Food in our beautiful garden surroundings.

Be the envy of all your neighbours this year and show off with stunning hanging basket displays! Hanging baskets add colour, height and interest into any garden display- so why not make yours stand out from the rest?

Here’s our top tips for show-stopping hanging baskets:

• To plant your hanging basket, a great tip is to rest it on a large flower pot or bucket. Not only will this lift the basket up and give it something to rest on- it catches spilled compost so you can use it later!
• There are lots of hanging basket styles to choose from. Some are ready lined and some aren’t. The next thing you need to do is add a liner if necessary. See our great selection of coco liners here.
• Next- prepare your compost. It’s important to make sure that your plants are well fed and watered when in a hanging basket, so choose your compost carefully. You can buy hanging basket compost, or mix all-purpose compost with slow-release fertiliser and water retaining gel yourself.
• Start planting! Remember to plant up the sides first. If you’re using a wire basket with a liner- gently push the plants through the liner and secure into the compost. Cover the remainder of the roots and then use the rest of the plants for the top- starting in the middle first. If you’re using a wicker  or plastic hanging basket, plant around the edges first, pointing the plants outwards to encourage them to grow over the sides. Trailing plants such as lobelia or ivy are perfect for this.
• Once all the plants are in place, gently add more compost around the rootballs and firm in place with your fingers. Keep the final level of compost a few centimetres below the top to allow room for watering.
• Add a sprinkle of slow-release fertiliser on top and water immediately.

Snip Tip: Its important to remember that the average basket/ container contains a small amount of compost in relation to the amount of plants. This means that nutrients will run low very quickly, so applying a dilute liquid feed once a week will help to keep them looking their best.

So….what to plant?

We reckon the best bet for pretty displays this year means planting lobelia, busy lizzies, dwarf French marigolds, alyssum and annual dianthus. These are great weather tolerant plants, that aren’t always so common in this mix. The old favourite, petunias will always look great and add colour to any garden. Make sure to give them a well sheltered spot- under and arch or awning, as they like ‘traditional’ weather!

Snip Tip: Hanging baskets can be really heavy! If you’re fixing them to a wall or fence, make sure your brackets are up to the job! Remember to fix into the brick and not the mortar!

So…may the best gardener win!

It’s a well-known fact that fruit, vegetables, salads and herbs taste even better when you’ve grown them yourselves! If you fancy giving it a go this year, then let us guide you through our outdoor kitchen…..

So…what to grow?

“Beans, beans good for the heart, the more you eat, the more you…..!”

Runner beans from the vine and peas from the pod are Britain’s most loved home grown vegetables.  What’s more…they’re “easy peasy” to grow too!

• Choose a warm and sunny spot in your garden or outdoor space.
• Keep them well-watered, and show your support throughout growth in deep, nutritious soil.
• Avoid frosts at all costs

Snip Tip: Beans can grow in any decent soil in the vegetable plot, the flower borders or even on the patio in any large container of good quality compost.

Starting with a seed? Pay attention to the information provided on the seed packets- they usually are the best bits of advice, and should tell you all you need to know for great results.

Snip Tip: Runner beans are known for needing warmth. We’d recommend investing in a propagator to give them the best possible start. Remember though, once they’ve grown too big, they’ll need to be kept somewhere warm until ready to plant out: so make sure you have a greenhouse, or plastic/ timber grow house at least. If you don’t, hold off until later in the year when it’s warmer.

So….what do you need to grow runner beans from seed? Here’s a handy checklist:

• Good compost
• Large growing cells/ inserts
• Propagator
• Fibre pots for transfer.

Snip Tip: Runner beans will grow very quickly, and will soon develop long stems before they can be planted out. Pinch the stems off to keep the plants tidy- they’ll soon produce more.

So…planting out into the big wide world.

• About 4 plants in a large grow bag is about right. Any more, and your plants won’t be able to breathe!
• Garden grown beans usually require a timber frame, bean poles or bamboo canes for support. We’d suggest using bean netting for them to scramble up too.

Salad and herbs.

Most salads are frost hardy and fast growing plants. If you can’t grow salads….then there’s really not much hope!

So….what to grow?

• Lovely Lettuce! Loose leaf varieties such as: lollo rossa, rocket and spinach are best for growing in containers because of their “cut and come again” tendancies.
• Rapid Radishes! Renowned for being the fastest growing salad ever! Be careful not to let them get too big though. This is a great one for getting kids involved- they won’t get bored of waiting!
• Beautiful Beetroot! They are shallow rooted, which makes them surprisingly easy to grow in containers. Tasty too!

There are two categories of herbs: perennial plants, which grow year upon year, or annual ones that need replanting every year.

Perennial Herbs:

Popular choices include thyme, rosemary, sage and mint, which are best bought as plants and grown on, as they will surely reappear every year. Grow in the vegetable plot, flower garden or in containers.

Annual Herbs:

Again, there are so many to choose from. Our faves are parsley, basil, coriander and oregano. All varieties will grow either in the garden or in containers, but will only last for one year.

Snip Tip: Grow small quantities of salad seeds at a time and repeat every 2 weeks. This will ensure you have a succession of plants, rather than harvesting them all at once and having to give them away!

Pest Control: Lettuce, for example, will need some protection from birds, slugs and snails. Invest in some netting, and other pest control forms.

Strawberries.

Bring the taste of summer to your garden this year and grow your own Pick Your Own site! Strawberries love warmth and sunshine when flowering and fruiting. Winter frosts are not really a problem for strawberries; some even claim that they’ll crop better after a hard winter. Strawberries need plenty of water, but be warned, they hate water-logged soil!

Strawberries can be grown just about anywhere. Plant them in the garden beds, strawberry planters, hanging planters or any large pots/ containers.

Snip Tip: If you’re not keen on sharing your strawberries, make sure to cover them with some netting to keep the birds out.

Tasty Tomatoes.

Where to grow?

Tomatoes love warmth and sunshine. Although greenhouses are the best solution to provide this, a warm and sunny spot on the patio or balcony will do just the job.

Top Tips for growing tomatoes:

• Tomatoes need warmth when they are young. Keep them sheltered and away from any sign of frosts to ensure a healthy crop.
• Keep them well watered and feed regularly with a high potash tomato feed to produce the tastiest fruits.
• Can be planted directly into soil, in a greenhouse or garden in any container big enough to provide enough soil and nutrients. Tomatoes can even be grown in hanging baskets/ containers- perfect for on a balcony!

You can grow tomatoes from seeds, or buy already established plants. Choose from tall, bushy or trailing varieties for hanging containers/ baskets depending on where you’re planning on growing them.

So, hopefully, you’ll now be clued up, and raring to get out in the garden and start growing your own tasty ingredients! Make sure to visit our Online Shop at www.crowders.co.uk for all the equipment you’ll need to get started, and get the best results from your garden this year. Good luck growers!

Bulbs
During April, it’s important to remove the faded flowers and seed heads of spring-flowering bulbs- summer is only around the corner! Remember to feed the plants during and after flowering too. We recommend a soluble plant food applied over the foliage and around the roots to ensure maximum nutrition, which will help to increase the size of bulbs, and ensure another pretty display next year!

April Garden Tips and Snips

Clean Up Your Act
By now you should have checked for and carried out any necessary repairs around the garden so it’ll be ready for summer! Get cleaned up this month if you haven’t already with a good path and patio cleaner. We recommend Algon, our best-seller. Not only will it keep working on your paths and patios, and ensure they remain looking clean, you can use it on greenhouses, glass, and plastic furniture and even on your guttering!

Summer bedding
Start collecting seedlings now from tender bedding plants to start potting up young plug plants and cuttings. They’ll grow strong and sturdy over the next month or so, and will be ready to plant once the final frosts have disappeared. We recommend using fresh potting compost, and new seed trays, pots and cell trays unless you can eat your dinner off your old ones! Remember to protect the young plants with horticultural fleece, it’s not quite as warm as it seems just yet!

Sow What?
If you’re wondering what to sow this month, here’s what we’d recommend. Now makes a great time to sow a selection of hardy annuals outside, such as: sweet peas, sunflowers, marigolds and cornflowers. Great ideas for indoors are: annual climbers, and tender vegetables, all of which will be ready for planting out next month.

Love your Lawn
Grass will begin to grow quickly at this time of year, so make sure you start mowing regularly. Whilst mowing, pay attention to bare patches, moss invasion and weeds, and deal with them now before summer arrives. Buy grass feed now to guarantee a healthy, lush green lawn.

Safe as Greenhouses
It’s full steam ahead in the greenhouse this month. Keep a watch on temperatures this month during both the daytime and throughout the night to avoid fatal extreme temperatures. Arm yourself with heaters and vent openers, to guard against frost and sizzling sun. Make sure all plants are hardened off before planting outdoors- investing in a cold frame would be an ideal solution.

Vegetables
If you’re thinking about growing your own this year, then April makes a great time for buying grow bags and keeping them in the shed, garage or greenhouse, allowing the compost to warm up, ready for planting later on in the year. Put young tomato, pepper, cucumber and other plants into growing bags- or 9 to 10 inches of compost as soon as they’re big enough to transplant. Don’t forget to show them some support- we have plenty suitable solutions!

Pest Control
It’s getting warmer by the day, which can only mean one thing….watch out for pesky pests and diseases! Slugs and snails are a particular problem at this time of year because all the lush green new leaves are so good for them. We’ll soon sort that out with ready-to use sprays, pellets and liquid killers to keep your leaves looking luscious!

Plant up now? Really?
Not many people realise that you can actually start planting up hanging baskets and planters now, you just need to keep them inside where they’ll still get a good amount of light and protection from frost. If you want stunning displays in your garden over the summer, take it as a tip from us to plant up now, and reap the view later on in the year!

Give them the best!
Your outdoor plants deserve the best start to this year, and the best way to do that is to make sure you feed them now! Sprinkle the fertiliser around the root area and work it into the top inch of soil. If the soil is dry, make sure you water it well, or the fertiliser will burn the roots. If you’re looking for a simple solution, controlled release fertilisers are the easiest way- simply feed and forget!

Show your support
It can still be quite windy throughout April, so keep a close eye on tall and floppy herbaceous plants, especially if you have quite and exposed garden. Ensure they get all the support they need before getting damaged by putting in plant supports to help prevent problems later on in the year, when it’ll probably be too late to do anything about it!

Mulching
Now is an extremely important time to mulch the soil with a good thick layer of organic material (compost or bark chippings) considering the recent hosepipe ban imposed across South Eastern parts of the UK. Mulching will not only keep weeds at bay, but ensure moisture is kept within the soil, and also keep the soil at an optimum temperature.

Featuring seasonal, local, freshly prepared food on the menu, The Redwood was sure to impress its guests after only a week of service. “It’s been a great night here at The Redwood” said Harry, “The food and the atmosphere have been great, and I’m sure I’ll be back again soon!” he added. The restaurant has had an extremely successful first week of lunch time service. Mr Robert Crowder commented on how “the superb staff, food and wine in these wonderful surroundings have really shown our level of achievement. I’m very proud of The Redwood. We’re now looking forward to opening 3 evenings per week starting from Thursday 5th April.”

To contact The Redwood:

Tel: 01507528628

Email: theredwood@crowders.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bottscoffeeshop (Don’t forget to check in!)

Web: www.crowders.co.uk

An exciting new venture has branched its way into Horncastle, thanks to W Crowder & Sons Ltd! A brand new restaurant, The Redwood, is located on site at the well-established Garden Centre and Coffee Shop on Lincoln Road.

“We are so excited about the launch of The Redwood here at Crowders. Offering people a place to eat which is both accessible and affordable, and of excellent quality is something we have wanted to do for quite some time.” said Mr Robert Crowder. “Our grounds here have made the perfect setting for sitting down for a bite to eat during the afternoon or evening, overlooking our impressive 100 year old redwood tree.”

The restaurant is open 7 days a week for lunch from Wednesday 28^th March and during Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from Thursday 5^th April. It is an ideal place for hosting birthday parties, business conferences and club meetings. With a fully licensed bar, bespoke wine list and vibrant food on the menu, The Redwood caters for all.

The 56-seater restaurant offers a friendly, welcoming and affordable solution for eating out locally. Expect fresh, seasonal, locally sourced food, all lovingly prepared in house by Executive Chef Rosie Dicker from Louth. “Here at the Redwood, we prepare all dishes freshly on location. Not a freezer or microwave is in sight of our kitchen, and all food is cooked with a great deal of pride, enthusiasm and creativity, using the best ingredients I can find,” said Rosie, whose 25 year catering career is Lincolnshire based. “We’re using the latest Palux equipment imported from Germany: all electric and low energy, keeping wasted heat to a minimum.” Rosie is known throughout Lincolnshire for her top-quality food. Recognised also for her passion and drive, she states that “this is a great time to introduce such a development into Lincolnshire. There are few places similar to The Redwood within a 50 mile radius, and I am proud to be part of such a fabulous venture.”

“By sourcing the best possible ingredients and combining them with her exceptional skills, former restaurant owner Rosie has created a menu that can be described as modern, British and utterly exquisite.” added Mr Crowder.

Working alongside Rosie is catering manager Rob Fisher from Market Rasen, who brings 24 years’ experience of working as a chef in the British Army. Travelling all over the globe, Rob has 12 years of managerial experience, making him perfect for the role at The Redwood. “I’m really excited to get this restaurant launched, and to see the finished product after all the hard work we’ve put in.”

Ensuring that service is kept to an exceptional standard is Front of House Supervisor Martin Clarkson. With 22 years’ experience in the catering and hospitality trade, he’ll be ensuring that service staff members are efficient, polite and approachable. “I’m delighted to be working here at The Redwood, and am looking forward to showing people what we have to offer.”

By opening the restaurant, Crowders have taken on 9 new staff from the local area, providing an addition to the 15 staff already employed in Botts Coffee Shop, next to which the new restaurant has been built.

The combination of quintessential garden surroundings, exceptional food, great wine, and great service will ensure that The Redwood becomes a popular destination.

So, why not pop in one afternoon or evening for a bite to eat and a glass of wine? The Garden Centre Shop has recently had a facelift too, with new lines of kitchenware, giftware and toys installed, amongst houseplants and gardening essentials for your perusal. The Redwood provides the perfect place to sit down and relax in its charming atmosphere after some well-deserved retail therapy!

To contact The Redwood:

Tel: 01507528628

Email: theredwood@crowders.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bottscoffeeshop (Don’t forget to check in!)

Web: www.crowders.co.uk

It was announced this week that water companies across the South East of England are to enforce a hosepipe ban as of 5^th April 2012, due to drought conditions caused by the lowest rainfall records over the past two years since records began 128 years ago. Water companies to introduce the ban are: Anglian Water, South East Water, Southern Water, Sutton and East Surrey, Thames Water, Veolia Central and Veolia South East.

But have no fear….Crowder’s are here! Luckily, we’ve done all the hard work for you and come up with some great solutions to keep your garden looking fresh as a daisy during the drought….and help you save some money on your water bills too!

So, here are some great ways to save water, and keep your garden looking great:

1.       No Butts?

The easiest and simplest way to saving water and keep your garden looking great is to install a water butt. Did you know that the average roof in the UK collects up to 85,000 litres of water per year? Installing a water butt using a downpipe kit and raising it on a stand will provide you with your very own re-usable source of water- for free! See our selection of water butts, stands, downpipe kit and watering cans, and start saving water today!

2.       Plant Wisely.

Plant drought-resistant plants in your garden; after conditioning and treating the soil first. There are a considerable amount of drought-tolerant plants that can withstand any conditions once they are established. We’d recommend any silver leaved, less hardy sun lovers in April so that they establish their roots before winter arrives. Remember to add any organic matter before planting to improve water absorption and drainage. Don’t add any fertilisers, as this encourages too much growth, and plants will require more water to keep them looking healthy.  Great looking drought resistant plants include:

Hebe Autumn Glory:

An erect, spreading evergreen shrub with dark green and red margined leaves with small spikes of dark purple-blue colour. Flowers from mid-summer to early winter. Max Height 60cm. Max Spread 90cm. Full sun/partial shade. Frost hardy. Back-fill with soil mixed with peat substitute and add a good mulch to retain water.

Lavender:

A compact bushy shrub with narrow silvery-grey leaves and spikes of dark purple flowers from mid to late summer. Max Height 60cm. Max Spread 75cm. Flowers July to August. Full Sun. Hardy. Back-fill with soil mixed with peat substitute and add a good mulch to retain water.

Blue Passion Flower Climber:

A vigorous climber with rich green leaves and bowl-shaped white flowers. Blooms in summer followed by orange-yellow fruit. Max Height 10m. Flowers June to August. Partial shade. Frost hardy. Harmful if eaten. Back-fill with soil mixed with peat substitute and add a good mulch to ensure optimum conditions.

Other great drought-resistant plants include: Heavenly Bamboo Shrub, Jasmine climbers/ shrubs, Campsis Trumpet Creeper Climbers, and all varieties of fruit trees (available September-February). All are available from our website www.crowders.co.uk or in the Garden Centre.

3.      Spoil your Soil!

Before investing in hardy, frost-proof plants, it’s a good idea to spend a little time looking after your soil first. Our range of water-storing crystals mixed into compost will not only improve the soil texture, but help to reduce the amount of watering required for newly planted plants.

WaterGel 250g pouch by Gardman:

An excellent route for healthy looking soil, improving conditions for optimum results. Watering requirements are reduced- up to 4 times effective.

4.       Mulch up!

Another important and easy way to retain water in your plants is to add a good layer of mulch on top of your soil. There are two types of mulch: biodegradable and non-biodegradable. Here’s a little bit about both:

• Biodegradable: Biodegradable mulches break down gradually to release nutrients into the soil and help improve its structure. This type of mulch will need replacing over time as it rots down, but not until nearly all cleared away to achieve the best results from it.
• Non-Biodegradable: This type won’t boost soil structure or help fertility in your plants, but will suppress weeds, conserve moisture and add decoration to your beds and borders. Mulch sheets can be used, with holes slit in for planting through, which will keep weeds at bay and provide a layer to keep moisture in the soil. Additional non-biodegradable mulches can be used on top of the mulch sheet, such as pebbles, gravel and slate to add to its efficiency and decoration too.
• Types of Mulches available:

Biodegradable: Compost, Wood Chippings, Bark, Well- rotted Manure.

Non- Biodegradable: Slate, Pebbles, Gravel, Stone Chippings

      5. General Hints & Tips for saving water:

• Try to water plants in the evening or early morning when its cooler to keep evaporation to a minimum
• Collect water used for rinsing fruit & vegetables and use it to water houseplants.

March makes for the perfect time for gathering in bedding and patio plug plants and seedlings, to give you the biggest and best bedding displays ever! We stock a wide range of varieties, guaranteed to include all your favorites. Pot up and plant out after the frosts have disappeared over the next few weeks to give you the best results this summer. Don’t forget all the essentials you’ll need: pots, seed trays, labels and the all-important compost!

Houseplant Heaven

Give your houseplants a little TLC this March leave them feeling rejuvenated! Start by re-potting those that needs more room into bigger pots, and give them all a good feed. We know it’s easy to forget to feed them regularly, so we recommend a controlled-release fertilizer- simply feed and forget! Pesky pests will be lurking around at the minute, so keep your eyes peeled and kick them out! Check our range out, and find everything you’ll need for giving them a spring treat. From pots to compost, fertilizers to insecticide sprays, you’re sure to find it at www.crowders.co.uk!

Cut back!

Plants such as dogwoods and rubus are grown for their famed colorful stems, injecting vibrancy and life into your garden. See even more intense results later on in the year if you cut back the stems this month. If you’d like to add a colorful shrub to your garden, take a look at our range online!

Herbs- not just for the kitchen!

Not many people realize that herbs can be grown simply for their flowers and pretty foliage rather than just for their culinary properties. Bringing an indulgent mix of scents and colors to your herb garden or beds & borders, herbs can have a multitude of uses: plant some today!

Sow your seeds

Get your plants and vegetables off to a flying start this March by sowing your seeds in a heated greenhouse or light, warm place. Check out our site for all you’ll need: propagators, pots, trays, compost and labels!

Get to the greenhouse!

If you’re eager to get in the greenhouse already, it’s good news! There’s plenty to be getting on with this month, such as sowing bedding and vegetable plants, and re-potting cutting taken from last year’s batches! Start dahlia, canna and begonia tubers into growth now for earlier blooms. Even more good news, we’ve got everything you need for the best results: pots, trays, compost, labels, feeds and not forgetting pest controls!

Bond with your pond!

Spend a little time checking over your pond this month to make sure it’ll be up and running like clockwork this summer. Check over your pumps and filters for any damage, and replace now if necessary. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place should you need a replacement, without having to leave your living room! We stock a wide range of pond pumps and filters here at crowders.co.uk and can have these posted out to you as soon as poss!

Pestwatch

Unfortunately, as your plants grow, the pests will start to show! So make sure your plants grow strong and healthy this year and aren’t held back by pesky pests! Look out especially for slugs, aphids, whitefly, scale insects, and red spider mites along with many nasty diseases. Our range of pesticides will help keep all this under control- click here for the full range.

Hungry Plants

As winter starts to fade away, your plants will really benefit from a good feed this month, as they begin to come into growth. We recommend using a general granular fertilizer such as Blood, Fish and Bone, or Growmore  or a controlled-release fertilizer for an easy once a year feed.

Rosy looking Roses!

Hybrid tea, floribunda and climbing roses will benefit from pruning during early March to give them the best start this year. It’s worth investing in a decent pair of secateurs, loppers and thorn-proof gloves, all of which we have available. Ensure to spray with an insecticide and fungicide afterwards to give them added protection. We recommend feeding with a granular rose fertiliser, and mulching with a composted bark or well-rotted manure- our top tips for big blooms!

March’s Plants of the Month

Add instant colour and interest into your garden this month with camellias, clematis armandii, forsythia, azaleas and rhododendrons, along with of herbaceous perennials.

Easter is only around the corner!

Keep your eyes peeled on our site over the next few weeks: we have loads of eggciting lines for Easter you won’t want to miss out on!

February Tips and Snips

Weeds
Get those beds and borders looking neat and tidy this February by keeping wild and wicked weeds at bay! Apply a 2-3 inch thick mulch, and weed suppressing sheets to ensure your garden gets off to the best start this year.

Annuals
February marks a great time to start sowing summer bedding plants indoors. Ensure you’ve got the correct heating and lighting conditions with the right equipment: propagators, compost, pots, seed trays and labels: all of which are available from us here at Crowders! Great sowing ideas include sweet peas, dianthus, lobelia, ageratum and bedding geraniums.

Check Garden Structures
Don’t forget to check your fences, trellises and pergolas before climbers burst into growth over the next few months! Make life easier for yourself and sort out any repairs or improvements for the coming year before your plants bloom!

Pruning
A number of garden shrubs and climbers could really benefit from pruning this month. Take care of winter jasmine (once the flowers have faded) many summer-flowering shrubs, bush and climbing roses and most clematis; with the exception of the spring flowering species: Montanas, alpines and macropetalas. It is essential after pruning to feed with a controlled release, or slow acting fertiliser to boost a healthy re-growth and more flowers. Handy tools for the job include secateurs, pruning saws, loppers and gloves. We are always happy to help should you need any more information on shrub care.

Pestwatch
Remain vigilant on plants in the house, conservatory and greenhouse this month, and control the dreaded pests and diseases. Check your plants now, and deal with any problems fast! Slugs can be controlled with a wide range of products, all of which are available from us. Many pests can be found on plant stems at this time of year, so pruning will remove them quickly. If your peaches and almonds were affected by the dreaded peach leaf curl last year, spray them with a copper based fungicide to ensure a healthy start to the year.

Buy Summer Flowering Bulbs
We have a huge range of dahlias and begonias, along with many other summer flowering bulbs. Now makes a great time to start growing begonias and dahlias indoors as although it’s too early to plant them in the garden, the resulting shoots from indoor growth can be used for cuttings. These are selling fast, so don’t miss out on the variety you’d like and buy them now!

Top Dress Trees & Shrubs
Preparation is the key this month, if you want your beds and borders, tree and shrubs to bloom this summer. Mulching and feeding with a controlled release fertiliser should do just the job when using bark chips, composted bark, manure or compost. See our full range of Trees and Shrubs online.

Plan & Plant Your Flower Borders
Providing that your soil isn’t frozen solid or waterlogged this February, you can still plant hardy trees, shrubs, roses, fruit and perennials, along with nearly all other outdoor plants. Don’t forget the all important soil improver such as composted bark or compost to improve your planting area first.

Hard Landscaping
Towards the end of the month makes a great time for laying new paving, patios and other solid- standing areas. Get your garden in ship-shape ready for those summer days spent outside. Don’t forget to check existing paving, and make any repairs on uneven or damaged areas.

Plant of the Month
If it’s instant impact you’re after, consider our range of Viburnum Tinus this February. Flowering from round about now, these will provide colour and vitality into your garden. They are great hardy plants, suitable for positioning either in the full sun or partial shade, reaching up and out to around 3 metres. See our full range online.

Vegetables
Although now’s a great time to make a start on growing tasty vegetables for the summer, don’t get all impatient and start sowing outside. Do warm up the soil, ready for sowing by covering it with clear plastic polythene or plastic cloches. You can plant shallots outside in February, but keep them in a greenhouse in pots, along with summer cauliflowers in seed trays in warmth.

Borders
Lightly trimming winter flowering heathers after the flowers have faded will massively improve flowering next year. Try lifting, dividing and replanting snowdrops after they’ve flowered for further coverage next year.  Cut back the dead stems on your herbaceous perennials way down to ground level, and divide up clumps that were a bit disappointing last year. Spend a little time on your borders this month, and reap the benefits later on in the year.

How to Grow Seed Potatoes

Step 1: Choosing
There are many Varieties of seed potatoes out there so you have to choose the right one for you and for the right time of year. Seed potatoes are divided into the 4 following categories regarding their harvest and sowing time:

Harvest Calendar

Step 2: Chitting
For the most successful results, it is best to allow your seed potatoes to ‘chit’ (sprout) before planting them into the ground. Chitting allows your seed potatoes to grow stronger sprouts and once planted into will encourage them to grow faster and will be an all-round more successful crop.

What to do:

• Chitting should be carried out during February and March.
• You place the seed potatoes in a tray; an egg box is ideal as they hold the potatoes still, so they are not rolling around. Ensure any shoots that are there are facing upwards
• The tray needs to be kept in the light and kept away from frost as well as hot rooms such as the spare room, garage or shed.
• You then leave them in the tray for approximately six weeks.
• Once the sprouts have reached a length of about 1.5 – 2.5cm (0.5- 1in) long they are ready to be planted into the ground.

Step 3: Planting and Aftercare
Seed potatoes can be planted straight into the ground, pots or planters or grow bags if you are limited for space. The Haxnicks potato patio planters are an ideal container for growing seed potatoes if you cannot plant them directly into the ground. Planting seed potatoes into the ground, differs to those planted into a grow bag or patio tub.

In the ground:

• Choose the correct area in your garden; a sunny area and avoid any frost pockets
• Dig your chosen area to break up the soil removing any lumps.
• Dig a trench 15cm deep and 15cm wide, length is determined by you and how many seed potatoes you have. Seed potatoes need to be positioned 30cm apart and if you need to dig more than one trench they need to be 60cm apart from one another.
• Place the seed potatoes into the trench with their shoots facing upwards 30cm apart.
• Cover over the trenches with excess soil
• Once the first shoots appear in a few weeks’ time cover them over with a fresh layer of soil.
• When the shoots surface again, wait until they are 5cm tall and then cover over again with soil to block out any light, this process is called ‘earthing up’.
• Repeat this process twice.
• Ensure you water the soil especially when there is foliage formed.

In a grow bag or container:

• Fill either the grow bag or container with 15cm of compost.
• Position 3 to 4 seed potatoes evenly on the surface of the compost with the shoots facing upwards
• Cover over the potatoes with excess soil, about another 10-15cm.
• Ensure you water the soil keeping it moist, but be careful not to completely saturate it.
• When the first shoots appear cover them over with new soil about 10cm deep to block out the light.
• Repeat this process twice.
• Ensure you water the soil especially when there is foliage formed.

Step 4: Harvesting
When the potato plant starts to flower, it is a good indication that your plants are ready to be harvested. The flowers usually appear about 12 weeks after they were planted. If you leave them for longer, the potato will be larger and the yield will be bigger, leaving them for longer is ideal for maincrop potatoes.

To harvest:

• From the ground carefully dig them up using a fork from the side of the trench. If this is not done carefully you may bruise the potatoes.
• From a grow bag or container remove the whole potato plant.
• Wash the potatoes and store in a cool, dark and frost free place.