We have the venue & the expertise.

Come join our 6 wks Discover Gardening Course at Garden Creations Garden Centre on Monday 22nd February 2010.

Contact Claire/Ann during working hours for detail discover gardening application form.

New range of beautiful autumn/ winter flowering heathers.

Extensive range of evergreen trees and shrubs for Autumn and Winter colour.

New range of Bird Care including peanut, seeds, feeders and bird tables.

Christmas Shop opening soon.

Buy 2 get 3rd free.

20% off selected ceramic & plastic pots.

Callicarpa ‘Profusion’ or Beauty Berry is a hardy deciduous shrub bearing usual violet berries in the autumn. It is quite large growing to 200cms, so give it a little space. Callicarpa can be placed in sun or semi-shade and does not require any pruning nor does it require any special soil requirements- any well-drained soil will suffice.

If weather permits, plant container-grown trees and shrubs.

Cover ponds with a net to keep out fallen leaves.

Plant Spring flowering bulbs.

Dead leaves on the lawn can pose a problem. Leaves smother the grass by cutting off light and the weight of wet leaves presses down on the grass. In a short time the grass turns yellow and dies back. If the leaves are not removed this can leave bare patches and if there is a complete carpet of leaves weeds and moss can invade. Where the cover is not complete the grass struggles between the leaves and survives but is much weaker. Apart from the lack of light and the smothering effect of the leaves, toxins released by the rotting leaves can affect grass growth.

With low-growing plants leaves can also be a problem. Dead leaves fall and start to gather on top of the plant smothering growth and falling down into the centre of them. As the leaves start to decay they rot off the existing plant leaves and new growth. Eventually the plant stems start to rot killing off the plant. When tidying up bed areas, were possible lift off the dead leaves from the top of the plant and remove those which become lodged down in the stems.

The pond is another area of the garden in which dead leaves can cause problems. If dead leaves are allowed to accumulate in the water it will soon turn rank. This in turn reduces oxygen. Oxygen is needed by both pond plants and fish to survive. Pond nets are helpful and should be used over the autumn and winter, collecting dead leaves and wind blown debris.

Some gardeners will have invested in a leaf vacuum or blower but most of us will have to make do with a leaf rake and lots of elbow grease. If you have a gardener shredder you can use it to break up tougher leaves e.g. sycamore. This helps to speed up the decaying process.

Don’t forget you can collect your dead leaves and place in a strong black bin liner. They will decay over a period of a year to a year and a half making a lovely crumbly soil conditioner.

Exceptional Value
A daffodil, like a tulip, has a flower already formed inside the bulb but unlike most bulbs, it is possible for more than one flower to be inside. They are sold as ’rounds’ or ‘double-nosed’, the later producing two stems and flowers. The less expensive ’rounds’ are in no way inferior, indeed all daffodils bulbs are exceptional value for money as they propagate themselves by division with most yielding a 50-70% increase within a year. The skin or tunic should be clean, light brown and smooth and the bulb quite firm when the base is gently pressed with the pad of the thumb.

Botanically speaking
The trumpet-shaped types are commonly referred to as daffodils, while the shorted cupped varieties are known as Narcissi but botanically speaking all belong to the genus of Narcissus.

Endless uses
In early Spring, an area of rough grass or a lawn can be brought to life with clumps of daffodils or Narcissus. A mixture of yellows, creams and whites will give a very natural effect and the clumps will eventually spread to cover a much wider area. Remember, however, to think carefully before planting the bulbs as you won’t be able to mow the grass around the bulbs for at least six weeks after flowering, so the area will look untidy during this time. If the bulbs leaves are removed earlier, the bulbs will become weak and eventually die. Make sure to feed the bulbs every year after flowering with Sulphate of Potash, to ensure a fine display the following year.

Golden drifts
It is not only grassy areas that Daffodils and Narcissi can be naturalized, they can also make a handsome show when left to themselves in random drifts in beds and borders, forming a golden carpet between the surrounding plants. Use them in less formal areas of the garden where the leaves can be allowed to die down naturally without spoiling the overall effect.

Planting and feeding
Daffodils are greedy so a few weeks before planting dig in well-rotted manure or garden compost and at planting time add some bonemeal to the planting hole. There is a new food of bulbs called Bulb Boost that is high in potassium, helping to produce strong flowers. Plant the bulbs twice their depth making sure that the point of the bulb is facing upwards and if planting in clumps make use that the bulbs are not touching each other in the planting hole. Always water the area well after planting to ensure the soil is moist right down to the bulbs. Again it is important not to cut the leaves off for at least six weeks after flowering as the bulb stores its food in the bulb for the following year and a top-dressing of Sulphate of Potash is beneficial after flowering to ensure good flowers the following year.

Overcrowding
Daffodils and Narcissi can become over crowded so it is a good idea to lift and divide the clumps every three to five years in summer to ensure flowering. Carefully remove the soil until you find a clump of bulbs, trying not to damage any of them. Lift the clump and gently tease it apart into individual bulbs, leaving some of the tiny bulbs in small groups, which can be planted together. Dig over the soil adding a little Bulb Boost or bonemeal and space out the bulbs, 5cm (2ins) apart, then plant them twice their depth.

Don’t forget

* Daffodils look best when planted in wooded areas or at the edge of the lawns where this facilitates mowing without disturbing the daffodils growth.
* Avoid planting in long straight lines, bulbs look better set in clumps.
* If you cannot plant bulbs as soon as you buy them, open the bag to admit air and place them in a cool well ventilated location.
* Deadheading, where possible, helps the bulb to build up the necessary nutrients for the following years growth.
* Consider scented varieties for window boxes, patio containers and situations close to the house.
* Choose mini daffodils for early colour in rock gardens and window boxes.
* When planting in containers, keep compost moist to prevent flower buds going blind but never over-water to the point of saturation.

Leatherjacks are the larval stage of crane flies, most commonly known as Daddy-Long-Legs. The larvae or grubs are greyish in colour without obvious heads and can be up to 45mm long. The damage they do is similar to that of the Chafer grubs with yellowing of lawns and killing of the turf roots. As this summer was so wet and warm they were quite active this season.

The grub can be found in greatest numbers in newly reseeded lawns, damp soils and heavier clays and they have an enormous appetite for those young roots of the lawn that you have been carefully nurturing over the summer months.

Leatherjacks are the larvae of an insect belonging to the family Tipulidae and are members of the true flies (order: Diptera).

Life Cycle

Late summer/early autumn
Adult Crane flies emerge from the soil to mate and each female then lay up to 300 eggs onto the lawn. Two weeks later the eggs hatch and the larvae ( Leatherjacks) begin feeding on the roots and stems just below the surface of the soil.

Winter
The larvae may remain dormant in the soil throughout the coldest months but they resume feeding when soil temperatures begin to increase in spring.

Late spring/early summer
Lawn damage becomes most noticeable as the larvae grow quickly and continue to eat steadily. They can grow up to 5cm (2inches) long.

June to August
The Leatherjacks become fully mature by June, becoming inactive and pupating in August just under the surface of the lawn to emerge as adult Crane Flies thus beginning the cycle again.

These root-chewing grubs can ruin your lawn. Even more damage can be caused by birds and wild animals when they probe and loosen the lawn to feed on them.

Control.
Up until recently there was just one product that was available in large quantities, perfect for those of us that had larger lawn but recently a new product is available for those of us with smaller lawns. This product Provado Lawn Grub Killer is very easy to use. There is no need to spray or buy special applicators. Simply mix in a watering can and water on. It must be applied on a dry calm day when the soil is slightly moist and children and pets need not be excluded from treated areas once dry.

WAS £149, NOW ONLY £99.00