While visiting milder parts of the country or passing a sheltered inner city garden during February and March, you’ll occasionally come across a filigree-leaved tree covered in a haze of bright yellow bobbly blossom. These breathtaking encounters usually reveal themselves to be Acacia dealbata or Acacia baileyana. These distinctive Australian plants vary in size from lofty trees to dwarf shrubs.
If…
AG gardening editor, Kris Collins, shows how easy it can be to lay paving slabs in the lawn
Step1) Dig out the area to be paved to allow 4in (10cm) of sub-base, 1in (2.5cm) of slab fix mortar, the slabs and an extra ½in (1cm) so that the slabs sit below the grass level.
Step2) Spread out 4in (10cm) of sub base. Use the…
As winter performers finish and before summer performers put on growth, it’s time to get shrubs back in shape. Here is a list of common garden shrubs that should be tackled now:
Potting up box
Potting trays aren’t the only moveable workstations on the market. A more compact version, which scores high on portability and good looks, is this potting-up box made from slate. It comes complete with matching soil scoop and has two carrying handles on the side. Pop your compost inside then use the handy shelf for lining up your containers…
AG garden writer Michelle Wheeler, shows you how to re-pot your houseplants.
Step one: Water the plant in its original pot to soak the compost and allow it to drain for a few hours before potting on.
Step two: Choose a pot just one or two sizes bigger than the original and add a shallow layer of houseplant compost.
Step three: Set the…
Product review: large forks
Consumer editor Julia Heaton gets straight to the point of six large digging forks
Best buy
19/20
E-Series Digging Fork £27.95,
Spear & Jackson
Tel. (0114) 281 4242
www.spear-and-jackson.com
Build 4
Mirror polished stainless steel. The grip is plastic, apart from a comfort crosspiece. Alongside the insulated fork it is the heaviest of all six and equal second longest in length standing 42in (106cm) tall.
Features…
Garden writer Michelle Wheeler, and garden editor Kris Collins shows you how to plant up a spring hanging basket.
Plants used:
3x rosebud primroses, 3x small ivy, 1x lacy fern.
Step one: If baskets have been stored or used over winter, clean them out and replace liners – use cable ties to secure the lining firmly against the basket.
Step two: Mix a teaspoon…
Wood anemones and windflowers are the unsung treasures of the spring garden, and the perfect ground cover plants to bring your garden together. Follow our advice on how to grow them…
Either plant young flowering anemone plants in the spring, or plant the corms in autumn – soaking them overnight…
Garden writer Michelle Wheeler shows you how to take cuttings of this firm favourite.
Step one: Fill small pots in advance with a cutting compost mixed with perlite to aid drainage. Firm down and make a small hole in each pot with a dibber or pencil.
Step two: Use a clean sharp knife to carefully cut below a node as close to…
Bulb markers
There can be few things more annoying than digging down in preparation for planting a summer-flowering bulb, only to unearth one that you planted earlier. One solution is to create detailed maps of your beds, plotting the exact position of this buried treasure; another is to invest in some bulb markers.
These galvanised zinc spikes from Burgon & Ball will…
