Yearly Archives: 2024
Your February Garden – Winter Edition
February Gardening Jobs
- Prepare vegetable seed beds, and sow some vegetables under cover.
- Chit potatoes tubers
- Protect blossom on apricots, nectarines and peaches
- Net fruit and vegetable crops to keep the birds off
- Prune winter-flowering shrubs that have finished flowering
- Divide bulbs such as snowdrops, and plant those the need planting ‘in the green’
- Prune Wisteria
- Prune hardy evergreen hedges and renovate overgrown hedges
- Prune conservatory climbers such as bougainvillea
- Cut back deciduous grasses left uncut over the winter, remove grass from evergreen grasses
Plants & Flowers
Cut off old leaves of hellebores that produce flowers from ground level to exposed the flowers.
Divide clumps of herbaceous perennials to propagate, those that have become too large for their allotted space, and also those flowering poorly or have lost shape.
Deadhead winter pansies and other flowers from ground level to expose the flowers and remove risk of diseases such as hellebore leaf spot.
Lawns
Grass will begin to grow at temperatures above 5 degrees Celsius. If you choose to cut the grass, only mow when the grass is dry and set the cutting height to maximum.
Avoid walking on the lawn when frosty. This can damage the blades of grass and leave brown footprints.
Ponds
Rake out fallen leaves or shake off any that have landed on protective netting.
Keep an eye on your pond water level as hard frost can cause defects in the liner and even in concrete structures. If you notice a considerable drop in the level, then a leak may have occurred. The repair can be done in the spring so keep the water topped up until then.
Beware of ice forming on the pond if you have fish as this can be fatal. Either install a air pump or pond heater to prevent this.
You can also make a hole by placing a saucepan of hot water on the surface until is has melted. Do not crack the ice as this can harm the fish.
Tress & Shrubs
Continue to plant roses but avoid anywhere that roses have been previously planted. This can lead to issues with replant diseases.
Check tree ties and stakes as cold and harsh winds can loosen them.
Protect new trees, hedges and shrubs from the cold weather, winds and frost. Thick dry mulch will protect the roots and branches can be covered with fleece.
Your March Garden – Spring Edition
March Gardening Jobs
- Prune and bush and climbing roses
- Plant onion sets and shallots
- Plant summer-flowering bulbs
- Lift and divide overgrown clumps of perennials
- Plant early potatoes
- If needed, mow the lawn on dry days
- Cut back herbaceous perennials and ornamental grasses that have been left standing over winter
- Keep a few Dandelions in your garden to help support pollinators
- Start off Dahlia tubers in pots or trays of damp peat-free compost
- Prune Buddleja to a low framework of stems to encourage new flowering growth
Plants & Flowers
Sweet Peas can now be sown outside. Carry on deadheading winter-flowers and bedding. Pansies will continue into spring and maybe even summer if they are looked after.
Daffodils (Narcissus) will also need deadheading as they begin to fade.
Clean up any weedy areas in your beds before mulching. If you mulch with a deep layer of organic matter, this will help condition the soil.
Check your containers for drought. Although this time of year can be drizzly, they may still dry out if positioned under a cover. Simply check the compost at a hands depth, if the soil is dry, give it a water.
Lawns
When the weather is finally mild enough and the grass is showing signs of growth, raise the mower blades by a 1/4inch higher, cut and enjoy that freshly mown grass smell.
Take the time to tidy up your lawns edges and border using an edging tool. An instant fix to create a beautifully presented garden.
In late March, apply a high nitrogen spring lawn feed if your grass needs some TLC. This will help promote strong growth to recover from the harsh winter weather.
Ponds
It’s time to start feeding the fish! Little and often is best so not to have excess food and then unwanted algae blooms.
Remove leaf-catching netting covers placed over during autumn/winter season.
Tidy up any plants in the bog garden and mulch with composted bark.
Trees and Shrubs
Prune established bush and standard roses as they start growing but before any leaves unfurl.
Delay pruning spring-flowering shrubs until after they have flowered, otherwise this year’s display will be lost.
Remove any reverted green shoots on hardy variegated evergreens, to prevent reversion taking over.
Tie wall shrubs and climbers onto their supports to protect them from wind damage.
Supper Club – A Taste of Italy
A Taste of Italy 2024
Introducing our fabulous menu for A Taste of Italy! 
Grab an Aperol Spritz and be transported to the Italian countryside whilst being serenaded with beautiful live music throughout the evening. Hosted by Lime Kiln Kitchen, Friday 7th June, from 7pm.
Tickets cost £40 per person. Please call 01842 763267 to book and pre-order your dishes. Book now to avoid disappointment!
Chef de Partie – Lime Kiln Kitchen
- Preparing and cooking meals to a consistently high standard.
- Assisting with menu preparation and daily specials.
- Maintaining food safety, hygiene, and kitchen cleanliness standards.
- Managing stock rotation and helping to minimise waste.
- Ensuring efficient kitchen operations during busy service periods.
- Working collaboratively with the Front of House team to deliver an excellent customer experience.
- Minimum 2 years’ experience as a Chef or Cook in a professional kitchen.
- Good knowledge of food hygiene and health & safety regulations.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong organisational and time-management skills.
- Reliable, punctual, and able to work as part of a team.
- Availability to work alternate weekends.
- Daytime shifts only – no evening work required.
- Pizza making (wood-fired) experience is an advantage but not necessary
- Applicants must be aged 18 or over.
Ready to join the team? Please send your CV to james@thetfordgardencentre.co.uk
Valentine’s Dining 2024
Menu for the Evening
Lime Kiln Kitchen’s Valentine’s Day Menu has arrived! 
Book early to avoid disappointment! Our delectable 3-course menu will be specially served this Valentine’s Day, 14th February from 6pm.
Booking is essential so please call 01842 763267 to book and pre-order your dishes. You can also book in-store at our Customer Information desk.
Payment is taken on booking.
Valentines Afternoon Tea
Dazzle your loved one with our delightful Valentine’s Afternoon Tea for Two!
Dine a delicious selection of freshly made sandwiches, triple chocolate scones with raspberry jam, cheese scones with cream cheese and chutney, all complete with chocolate dipped strawberries, homemade strawberry shortbread and more…
Available from Saturday 10th to Wednesday 14th February, 12pm – 4.30pm*. No need to book.
£37.99
*Served Sunday 11th, 12pm until 3.30pm
Burns Night 2024
Get ready to don your kilts and tartans! Join us Thursday 25th January, 7pm for an unforgettable celebration of the legendary Robert Burns.
Dine a delectable 4 course Scottish menu, enjoy live music and of course…poetry!
Tickets cost £40 per person (includes free arrival drink and 4 course meal).
Please call 01842 763267 or visit our Customer Information Desk to book your tickets.
Menu for the Evening
