Top Tips & Advice

All conifers shed as part of their lifecycle and they will accelerate that shedding if they dry out. Not all trees have the same tolerance towards drought. Just follow our tips below to get the best from your tree and maintain its fresh appearance.

• It is vital to re-cut the sawn end of the tree removing another two inches. This will expose fresh plant cells in order to take up adequate water during its time indoors
• Stand the tree in a bucket of water, in a cool shaded spot before the tree is required to be brought indoors. This will re-hydrate the tree to help prevent it from shedding all its needles
• Use a tree stand that holds water which can easily top up, (your tree can drink more than a pint of water a day)
• Do not place your tree near a heat source
• Treat a Christmas tree as you would treat fresh flowers in the home
• Don’t worry if your tree appears flat on one side as this is unavoidably happens during transit. Once inside a warm room the branches will soon regain their natural shape
• If your tree was netted, it is a good idea to remove it as soon as you possibly can so the branches can spread out naturally.

Pot Grown Trees

• After purchasing your post grown tree, remove it from the protective sleeve and keep it watered like you would any other plant kept in a pot.
• Before bringing our potted tree indoors, immerse it in water for at least 10 minutes to fully saturate the compost. Allow it to drain for a few hours and then bring inside.
• Follow the guideline for fresh cut trees regarding positioning – i.e. keep away from sources of heat.
• Water regularly as you would your other houseplants; don’t allow the compost to become too dry. Keeping the compost moist will also help to provide stability.
• You can repot or transplant the tree into the garden in early spring, just as the growing season starts. Just remember to keep watering it.

All our trees are grown in commercially managed plantations specifically to be sold during the festive season. This means that more trees replace those cut down and sold. Depending on the size of your tree, it may be up to 7 years old!

December has finally arrived! Although the weather may be cold, there’s plenty to do in the garden with a lovely cup of something warm to keep you going.

1. Check your winter protection structures are still secure
2. Check that your greenhouse heaters are working sufficiently
3. Insulate outdoor taps and prevent ponds from freezing by a pond heater or melting the ice (cautiously) with a hot pan placed on the surface.
4. Prune open-grown apples and pears (but not ones trained against walls)
5. Prune acers, birches and vines before Christmas to avoid bleeding
6. Harvest leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage, sprouts and remaining root crops
7. Trees and shrubs can still be planted and transplanted
8. Take hardwood cuttings
9. Keep mice away from stored products
10. Reduce watering of houseplants

Tidying up the last of Autumn – Finish the clearing of leaves from the beds and borders to prevent plants dying from being covered in damp.

Clear up weedy beds in time for Spring mulching.

Root cuttings can now be taken.

Keep cutting back herbaceous perennials and add them to the compost heap.

Rake any remaining leaves to prevent the grass being starved of light and moisture

Repair bare patches by using turf cut from other areas of the garden (if available).

Re-cut lawn edges with an edging iron to keep up a neat appearance of the garden.

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.

Place nylon strings across the pond at least 15cm from the ground and edge of the pond to deter birds fishing.

Continue to rake out leaves and shake off any that have fallen on netting.

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. For evergreens, keep the light coming through by covering with clear polythene – don’t let it touch the leaves as they could freeze or rot from condensation.

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.

1. Clear up fallen leaves – especially from lawns, ponds and beds
2. Raise containers onto pot feet to prevent waterlogging
3. Plant tulip bulbs for a spring display next year
4. Prune roses to prevent wind-tock
5. Plant out winter bedding
6. Cover brassicas with netting if pigeons are a problem
7. Insulate outdoor containers from frost – bubblewrap works well
8. Stop winter moth damage to fruit trees using grease bands around the trunks
9. Put out bird food to encourage winter birds into the garden
10. Use a seasonal bonfire – where this is allowed – to dispose of excess debris unfit for composting. Please check for any wildlife before lighting.

Cut leaves off Christmas type hellebores to make way for the flower.

Now is the last chance to plant out winter bedding. Flowers such as Viola, forget-me-nots, Bellis and wallflowers.

Apply an Autumn mulch to protect plants that are borderline hardy.

Tidy up leaves from around the borders and pop them in the compost pile.

Apply an autumn feed if your grass needs a boost – do this after scarifying and aerating but before applying a top dressing.

Remove fallen leaves so they do not smother the grass.

Lay turf onto prepared soil. Avoid walking on newly laid turf – leave for several weeks to allow the roots to establish.

Mow recently sown areas of grass.

Remove any algae reducing measures, such as straw bales or pads from the pond. Be sure to set these aside for 24 hours before composting to let the pond insects find their way back to the water.

Rake out fallen leaves and shake off any that have fallen onto any protective netting.

Any aquatic plants that are not fully hardy should be taken into the greenhouse.

It is an ideal time to plant roses. Be sure to avoid planting new rose shrubs where previously grown, as this can introduce replant diseases.

Protect newly planted trees, hedges and shrubs from the wind and cold by netting windbreakers.

Climbing roses should be pruned by now, these are usually done much earlier in the autumn.

Autumn is officially here! The leaves are turning along with the weather. Let’s tidy up the garden a little.

1. Move tender plants, including aquatic ones, into a greenhouse or conservatory
2. Cut back perennials that have died
3. Divide herbaceous perennials
4. Divide established rhubarb crowns to create new plants
5. Plant out spring cabbages
6. Harvest apples, pears, grapes and nuts
7. Prune climbing roses
8. Finish collecting seeds from the garden to sow next year
9. Last chance to mow lawns and trim hedges in mild weather
10. Renovate old lawns or create new grass area by laying turf

Raise patio containers on to bricks or purpose-made pot feet. This will prevent the pots sitting in water during winter.

Continue to plant spring-flowering bulbs.

As the soil is still warm, it’s a good time to plant new herbaceous perennials.

Lift and divide any poor flowering or overcrowded herbaceous plants.

Apply an autumn feed if your grass needs a boost – do this after scarifying and aerating but before applying a top dressing.

Remove fallen leaves so they do not smother the grass.

Lay turf onto prepared soil. Avoid walking on newly laid turf – leave for several weeks to allow the roots to establish.

Mow recently sown areas of grass.

Place nets over smaller ponds to keep fallen leaves out.

Clear any debris, weeds and excess oxygenating plants. Leave them to the side of the pond for 24hrs to allow any wildlife to go back in to the water.

Remove pumps or fountains and removable lighting systems, clean them and store over winter.

If the weather is dry, keep watering early-flowering shrubs such as camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas, so that flower buds are initiated for spring blooms.

Check tree ties and stake before winter winds cause any damage.

Place healthy fallen leaves on the compost heap. If you shred the leaves first they will break down faster.

Can you feel Autumn approaching? Golden evenings filled with candles, a cosy cup of hot chocolate and a good book.

Before we get to relaxing, let’s sort out the garden.

The month of BBQ’s, Sunshine and enjoying your lovely green garden.

1. Prune Wisteria
2. Don’t delay summer pruning fruits trained as restricted forms
3. Deadhead flowering plants regularly
4. Water Containers and new plants, preferably with grey recycled water or stored rainwater
5. Collect seed from garden plants
6. Harvest sweetcorn and other vegetables as they become ready
7. Continue cutting out old fruited canes on raspberries
8. Lift and pot up rooted strawberry runners
9. Keep ponds and water features topped up
10. Feed the soil with green manures

Prune climbing roses after flowering has finished.

Prune summer flowering shrubs like Wisteria once the blooms have finished flowering.

Stake the stems of tall plants such as Dahlias and Lilies to prevent any damage caused by winds or heavy rain.

Tidy up any areas with spent perennial plants and fallen leaves.

Deadhead annual bedding plants and perennials to encourage them to flower in autumn.

Protect ripe fruit and vegetables from birds and animals with netting.

Harvest maincrop potatoes and store in hessian sacks in a cool, dark and dry place.

Cut back herbs to encourage more growth before the first frost arrives.

For any holiday goers, remember to organise a family member or friend to water your houseplants and garden if necessary.

Water early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce water evaporation.

Keeping your garden well weeded can also ensure the water goes to the plants that need it.

Now that the weather is consistently warm and humid, risk of blight is high. Be sure to check your tomato and potato crops regularly and remove the plants at any signs of fungal infestation. If caught early, simply remove the infected foliage and leave the tubers in the ground.

We’re officially halfway through the year! The sun is shining and the BBQs are out. Lets get the garden ready for some summer fun…

1. Deadhead bedding plants and repeat-flowering perennials to ensure continuous flowering
2. Ensure care for houseplants while on holiday
3. Water tubs and new plant is dry, but be water-wise
4. Check clematis for signs of clematis wilt
5. Pick courgettes before they become marrows
6. Treat apple scab
7. Clear algae, blanket weeds and debris from ponds, and keep them topped up
8. Order catalogues for next year’s spring-flowering bulbs
9. Give the lawn a quick-acting summer feed, especially if not given a spring feed
10. Harvest apricots, peaches and nectarines

Deadhead flowers to prolong perennial plants and summer bedding for as long as possible. Doing so will encourage flowers to keep blooming and prevent them going into seed.

Keep hanging baskets, pots and containers watered and fed as the summer weather will quickly decrease nutrients in the soil.

Wisteria can now be pruned for summer by cutting side-shoots down to 4-5 leaves from the main stem.

Tomatoes – Trim tomato shoots each week (once the plant has reached around 5 trusses) and cut off those beneath the lowest ripened fruit to stop competition. Feed regularly and continue to pinch out side shoots.  Removing leaves beneath the first truss of tomatoes will aid in air circulation and prevent the build-up pets and diseases.

Potatoes – Second Earlies should be ready for harvest (if you’re not sure, wait until they have flowered and check). If they’re ready, pull them up on a sunny day and place the freshly dug potatoes out on the surface to dry for a few hours. Once dry, store your new potatoes in a hessian sack and keep them somewhere cool, dry and dark.

Harvest – Peas, carrots, beetroot, tomatoes, potatoes, salads should all ripen and be picked at this time.

When temperatures at at their peak, prevent scorching by placing shading on the roof. Keep vents and doors open to keep a steady airflow.

Water either first thing in the morning or late evening to reduce evaporation and water loss.

Dampen down the greenhouse on particularly hot days to deter red mites and create humidity.

Keep fallen leaves and petals swept and tidied to decrease any chance of disease spread.

Pin Strawberry plant runners to the soil and allow them to root. When they’re established, cut the runner from the main plant. You can also maximise your crop by removing runners to divert energy to fruit already present.

Harvest apricots, peaches and nectarines.

Trained apple and pear trees can also be pruned for summer.

Mows lawn lightly and frequently. It is best to raise your mower blades whilst the weather is hot to prevent stress to the grass.

Remove any unwanted weeds with a weeding knife, trowel or grubbing tool but do keep in mind the wildflowers and flowering weeds benefit wildlife and add colour to your garden.

Water only if absolutely necessary. Grass can cope well with drought even if it dies, it will return and recover once rain falls. Watering is only needed if your lawn is new.

Check squashes, courgettes and pumpkins regularly for signs of powdery mildew. If any is present, remove the infected leaves and dispose of off-site to prevent disease spread.

Hose off any pests like aphids, greenfly, slugs and snails. A good way to deter these pest is spraying garlic water around your plants (garlic is a great pest deterrent).

Remove any yellowing or fallen leaves as these can harbour hidden pests and disease.