Launch of Gardenfest

Today sees the Launch of Cardwell Garden Centre’s online gardening competition.

The categories are Best community garden, Best wildlife-friendly garden with wild flowers, Best planted container, Best hanging basket, Best entry for a young person under 18, Best overall garden, while new for this year is a class for a gardener who has not competed for more than two years.

The competition is open to all customers of Cardwell Garden Centre and the closing date is August 30.

Entrants are invited to submit three photographs of whatever category they wish to enter and each photograph should contain full details of the entrant with name, telephone number and other details. It can be emailed to gardenfest@gmail.com. Alternatively, entries can be handed in at the information desk at the garden centre.

The winner of each category will receive £50 worth of Cardwell vouchers plus a certificate which they will retain and a trophy which they will keep for 11 months.

The judge’s decision is final and no other correspondence can be entertained.

Open Day at Broomhill Hub

There was a steady stream of visitors flocking through the gates of In-Work on Saturday despite the intermittent showers and a cold breeze. The staff were kept busy filling the trolleys with bedding and shrubs alike and indoors the café staff were kept busy serving refreshments. There was a wide range of plants on offer including vegetables and I met many old friends.

There are still plenty of plants available and these will be sold during daytime hours Monday to Friday during the coming weeks between 10am-4pm.

Inspirational ideas for your garden

Over the past months we have had a number of major gardening events including the famous Chelsea Flower Show to which throngs of people flocked to see all kinds of innovative garden features.

There will be other major shows in the coming months up and down the country and there should be lots of exhibits and garden accessories to give everyone ideas for their own gardens.

There is great benefit in buying bulbs for next spring and garden furniture is always on offer at most retail outlets close to home. A trip along to your local garden centre is well worth a visit and there is always something new to see.

Make a point of being vigilant and take a trip round the garden. Look out for any plants that might be showing signs of disease and treat these immediately with the appropriate chemicals or physical methods of remedial action.

This also involves the greenhouse if you have one, and carry this on throughout the summer until the harvest is over.

There are a few jobs that can be done in the coming weeks, including planting any seed potatoes that you have not yet planted and keeping the potatoes watered to help to swell the tubers.

Start to sow the seeds of biennial plants which will not flower until next year, such as wallflower. Just follow the instructions on the seed packet.

Indoor plants can be put outdoors provided the weather is not too cold, especially at night, and make sure you feed and water your house plants but do not over-water. In many instances house plants are killed by over-watering than anything else. It is best to set aside a particular time of the week which you set aside to water them.

Super speedy vegetables

Quite a number of vegetables are quick growing and do not take up too much space. They can also be grown on large pots or raised beds or in the soil, for example, salad leaf mixes such as rocket and lettuce. Turnips are very much undervalued root crops. Keep them well- watered in dry spells of weather. Courgettes are another great vegetable and the fruits will grow for several months until well into the autumn. Just sow two seeds in a small pot and keep it at 20 degrees Celsius

Don't neglect your lawn!

It is best to try and keep on top of grass-cutting at this time of the year. Ideally cut your grass every week. Feed the grass with a summer feed which contains a moss killer.

Keep the blades of your mower sharp otherwise will bruise, with the evidence of this being the tips of the grass turning brown. But keep the blades raised and do not attempt to scalp the lawn.