Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s some helpful hints and tips based on questions our clients regularly ask.
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Q) My garden is North facing and there’s a lot of shade. Which plants would be best for me?
A) There are plenty of plants which thrive in shady conditions but it also depends on your soil type. If you think about what plants thrive in a shady woodland then you are half way there. Digitalis is one example as well as lovely leafy plants such as Hostas and Heucheras. Other plants which are much happier in shade include Cyclamen, Astilbe and Polygonatum. Q) How can I keep my lawn green and weed free? It seems impossible! A) A lawn needs regular maintenance to keep it in tip top condition. The very least you can do for any lawn is to aerate and scarify it every Spring and Autumn followed by a treatment of organic fertiliser. You can buy specialist fertilisers in your local garden centre but you can also make nutrient rich fertilisers from your own garden with nettles or borrage tea. Q) I don’t have time to water the plants regularly. Which plants would be best for me? A) If your plants are in the ground then they shouldn't need extra watering, unless they are newly planted or during very dry spells. If you are looking for plants in pots then you should go for drought tolerant plants such as Lavandula or Hebe. You should also add organic matter to the compost when planting (not extra fertiliser as this can make the growth too leafy) as this helps to retain moisture in the soil. |
Q) Is it a good idea to start a compost heap in my garden?
A) It is always a good idea to start composting your own garden and green kitchen waste. If you are putting it in a heap, it will take longer to decompose and become usable garden compost and you must remember to add a ratio of 15 - 30 brown waste (carbon) to 1 amount of green waste (nitrogen). This ensures it can decompose successfully. Also be sure to turn it regularly with a fork to mix up the contents and allow air to circulate and aid the composting. You will have amazing compost to add to your soil as an improver in around 18 months. You can also buy a range of composters and hot compost bins which will speed up the composting process. Q) How can I keep all the weeds down? A) There are several ways to tackle weeds. I only recommend the organic options as this is safe for the soil, other plants, animals and the environment. Firstly. if you are adding a mulch or organic matter to the top of your soil this will help to block out the light for weeds growing underneath and inhibit their growth. You may get the odd weed seed or obstinate weed growing through and you can just pull these out or use a daisy grubber for weed roots. You can also use an electric weed heater or weed burner to tackle recurring weeds like Ground Elder or Oxalis. Another idea is to grow some ground covering plants which will restrict the weeds growing through, like Brunnera macrophylla or Ajuga reptans. Lastly, you could leave a section of your garden completely wild and let the weeds do their own thing. The insects and birds will thank you for it and you may also have some new wildlife visiting your garden as a result. |
