Dahlia, Gladioli and Lilies on Offer and Weekly Gardening Tips
Its nearly June and the Ash trees are hardly in leaf! I think the growth cycle is about 4-6 weeks behind where we normally are at this time of year. It’s so frustrating not being able to get out and get on! Last Bank Holiday we had a wonderful weekend, 4 days of dry sunny weather back to back almost unheard of since March 2012. It was really encouraging for us that we saw so many new faces in the Garden Centre. My little weekly note is now read by over 5000 customers! Thank you, I hope occasionally it may be useful.
I hope those of you who have tried our Suttons grafted tomato, pepper and courgette plants are having good results, it would be good to get some feedback from you. This year we are stocking the great value Kitchen Garden range of vegetable plants, if the sales are anything to go by you are enjoying the great value and quality.
Due to the cold weather and late season our Dahlia, Gladioli and Lilies have not sold so we are selling them at buy 2 get 1 free. They are still fine to plant they will just be a little later flowering than normal.
“Latest additions to the family”
Despite the cold and lack of sun the herbaceous perennials are growing fast. Now is the time to place some plant support over them before they are too large to get the support over. If you are too late they can be supported from the side with meal looped edging that you push in the ground or bamboo canes and some twine. We also have some lovely Tom Chambers architectural plastic coated black plant supports. Tom Chambers is a company from Hull that now manufacture garden plant supports etc. They started in business a very long time ago manufacturing Lobster pots, good solid well-made product.
If your potatoes are popping their heads through the ground keep an eye on the weather forecast, protect them from frost, pop an upturned flower pot over the top.
Tomato plants will need feeding regularly. Box hedges need a lot of well-balanced food. Not too late to weed and feed the lawn, at least it will get well washed in !!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Regards
Ashley
www.bellplantation.co.uk | www.poultrycentre.co.uk
Gardening Advice – Water Retention Tips.
We are currently experiencing the driest warmest spell of weather since March 2012, I just hope it holds out for a few more weeks to help everyone get outdoors and enjoy their Garden, hopefully we will be able to help! That’s what we are here for, apart from living my hobby!
“Loads of Herbs and Vegetables”
If you have plants in pots this wind and hot sun will dry them out really quickly. Remember to water them now rather than realise too late when you see some evidence of wilting. If you are planting up new containers leave the finished soil level below the lip of the container so that when you water the water stays in the pot and doesn’t run off. Some composts these days have water retention granules in to assist the retention of moisture, if not you can add water retention granules from a packet. Years ago we did a landscape job in Mansfield on a very sandy site where we had to use retention granules to keep the plants alive. One of the team put too many granules in when he planted the plants. The next day when we went back after a rain the granules had filled up with water and pushed all the plants out of the ground. Be careful not to be over zealous with the application and mix them well into the soil.
We are absolutely full of plants this weekend, our wonderful team have got the Garden Centre looking better than ever. We have also concentrated on value for money in these times of austerity and selling British products and plants. It is not my intention to sell to you with these blogs however some of our great deals are on the website www.bellplantation.co.uk
“Loads of Herbs and Vegetables”
The bees have been a bit slow the last 10 days, however yesterday with the warmer temperatures they were ramping up the amount of daily flights from the terminal, speedy boarding!
Tips for successful Veg growing Water, feed, protection form birds, slugs, get a fine seed bed, soak pea and bean seeds in water for 24 hrs before planting.
Loads of Chickens and Cream teas!
Have a wonderful weekend
Ashley
www.bellplantation.co.uk | www.poultrycentre.co.uk
Most Marvellous Vintage Sunday. The Café is recruiting. Seasonal planting tips.
Well at last the ground has warmed up, newly sown cereal crops are putting a green sheen over the brown soil, not to be seen again until after harvest.
Now is the time to plant Dahlias, Gladioli. Plant dahlia tubers 2 to 3 feet apart approximately 3 to 4 inches below the surface. If the shoots appear before the end of the frost free period remember to cover them over, Dahlia shoots are very soft and susceptible to cold. Gladioli corms should be planted 3 inches deep a few inches apart. While in the herbaceous area now is a good time to split existing herbaceous ie Iris, Paeony, Aster etc. The easiest way is to dig part of the root out with a spade and re plant the parts of the root you have split off. Pieces approximately 6 – 8 inches diameter will be enough to establish a good new plant. Herbaceous plants grow really quickly, so don’t forget to get your plant supports in place before the plants have grown too large. It’s well worth putting some feed around all your plants, healthy plants produce more flowers, grow better and are less susceptible to pests and disease. A well-balanced granular or liquid feed of nearly equal parts nitrogen, phosphates and potash will cover most bases. Liquid feed gets into the soil and to the plant root faster than a granular feed.
We let the Bees out this week in anticipation of warmer weather. Today I have seen several return to the hive laden with pollen, at last some flowers.
The Café continues to be really busy, despite the cold season I am pleased to say. Due to its increasing popularity we need to recruit another Cook and another Front of House Manager, both positions 20 -35 hours per week. Details are on the Government website, or you could send a CV to the Garden Centre, would love to hear from you if you are interested in joining our team.
Plants everywhere. Be careful this weekend with your tender plants Jack Frost may be about.
Most Marvellous Vintage Sunday this weekend.
Love to see you, have a great weekend.
Ashley
www.bellplantation.co.uk | www.poultrycentre.co.uk
New Poultry Arrivals & Planting under a Netting Cloche
Is it going to be a coal or a charcoal weekend? Those promised warmer sunny charcoal days never seem to appear. The grass took off this week as the soil temperatures rose, ‘the first cut is the (deepest)’ hardest. There is a song there somewhere? A good sharp blade on your mower for the first cut always makes life easier. Also clean the grass bag or vents so that the air blown up from the blades can escape and deliver the grass into the box rather than getting stuck in the mouth of the mower, good tip that one it will save you from getting your hands too green.
If you have fruiting cherry or peach tree now as the buds are just coming out is a great time to spray with a fungicide to prevent peach leaf curl, this will really help your fruit crop. Our vegetable plants, no all our plants are pouring into the Garden Centre. Brassica plants Cabbage, cauliflower, kale etc. are a great meal for the pigeons and slugs. Planting under a netting cloche will prevent the birds eating the plants, it will also prevent the birds from eating any slug pellets you use. A netting cloche will also prevent the small plants from the buffeting wind we sometimes get and will create a favourable micro climate which will help the plants grow faster.
“Summer Flowering Plants”
We had our biggest delivery of Poultry this week 550 new laying pullets. The poultry team had a real task on at the beginning of the week treating all the poultry housing for bugs and beasties before the new arrivals. We also had 60 Quail, we are now selling loads of Quail and fresh Quails eggs, great hard boiled with Celery salt. We have also got week old Chicks for sale, they will need keeping warm for the first 2-4 weeks.
We are again sowing wild flower seed in the beds either side of the Courtyard, they were a bit of a disaster last year as it was so wet and cold, hope for better things this year. We have a great range of Nova flora wild flower seed in stock in mixes or single varieties.
Check the website and Facebook for deals and offers. www.bellplantation.co.uk & https://www.facebook.com/Bellplantationgc
Have a good weekend
Regards
Ashley
Ps I let the Bumble Bees out today as it is a bit warmer!
“Releasing the Bees”
www.bellplantation.co.uk | www.poultrycentre.co.uk
Tips on Feeding Plants and new Café Opening Hours
As the soil warms up plant growth will slowly start and increase as the temperatures rise. You will soon notice plants that need feeding, yellow and browning leaves, a poor rate of growth are tell-tale signs that plants are hungry. Box hedging is a really hungry plant and will yellow very quickly. A well balanced feed of Nitrogen, phosphates and potash will stop this problem. Soluble feeds applied in a watering can will reach the plant roots much quicker than a dried plant food, therefore the plant will green up quickly. Liquid feeds are much better for heavy fruiting plants as the nutrients are delivered to the roots quickly, If all the nutrients that the plant needs for fruiting were in the soil at the time of planting the plants would not survive. Dry plant food such as Chicken poo, Bonemeal and other granular feeds are better incorporated into the soil or scattered over the surface. Surface application will require the rain or watering to wash the nutrients into the soil. Incorporated into the soil the feed will be there ready for the roots to take it up into the plant. Some plant feeds are slow release and will release in the soil over certain periods of time usually 3 months. Quite handy for hanging baskets etc.
“Bonsai, wild flowers and bedding”
It is really worth putting some feed around your plants at this time of year, it will create good flowers, more fruit, healthy leaves/plants, strengthen the plant to resist disease and bugs.
I am delighted to say the Café is now open until 5pm every day except Sundays, great for Cream tea season. And you can now use our Garden Loyalty card in the Café as well as the Garden Centre, look after the pennies and the pounds look after themselves, as my Grandmother used to say.
In anticipation of a great weather weekend we have just stocked up with Outdoor Chef bbq’s gas and charcoal. The great thing about these cookers is that they will never flair up and burn / carbonise your food, what a relief!
“Colourful tableware”
Vegetables, herbs, bedding, herbaceous, fruit, trees, …………….good food, smiley people.
Have a great weekend
Ashley
www.bellplantation.co.uk | www.poultrycentre.co.uk
Bumble Bee Colony in Your Garden. Cracking Compost Deals.
Our Bees have arrived. Once again we are installing our own colony of Bumble bees which arrived yesterday. Due to the really cold temperatures and wind chill factor we are keeping them warm (as you can see in the picture) until the weekend when we hope to put them out in the Garden Centre. Fortunately they have an inbuilt food source in the box they are delivered in. Bee numbers around the world have plummeted during recent years, certain agrochemicals are suspected as being the cause. If you would like a bumble bee colony in your Garden we can supply them for £69.95 or £84.95 with a wooden shelter, price includes delivery.
Apparently, according to the weather forecasters Spring is on its way this weekend! We have still got an awful lot of our first delivery of turbocharged grafted tomatoes in stock, hardly surprising I think. The ground has hardly warmed in the stronger spring sunshine due to the freezing easterly winds. Cool soil temperatures will mean that plant action, such as germination of seeds and root growth will be slower under the soil. If you have planted seeds they will take much longer to emerge from the ground. It will be beneficial to wait a few days before planting smaller seeds until the soil does warm a little. The buffeting wind, cold soil are not conducive to achieving a good germination %. Also a tip, stagger the sowing of vegetable seeds for a longer period of cropping. A packet of lettuce seeds goes along way.
For all poultry keepers and lovers we have just assembled our first Brinsea plastic chicken coop, great design, no hiding place for those little red mites.
We have had some summer bedding and some hardier vegetable plants, brassicas and lettuce delivered this week.
We have some cracking compost deals 4 bags of 50lt multi-purpose for £10. We have 1000’s of herbaceous plants in pots/liners 5 for £8.
Moving into Cream tea type of weather, I hope.
Look forward to seeing you all.
Have a great weekend.
Ashley
www.bellplantation.co.uk | www.poultrycentre.co.uk
Grow your own tomatoes, get started with grafted vegetables.
How frustrating all this pent up Gardening energy going nowhere! This time last year we were in a drought situation, dress was t shirt and sun cream. How things change 2013 March soil is saturated and we are heading for the coldest March on record for 50 years. It makes it quite (understatement) difficult running a weather dependant business. Our team have to fleece up loads of plants every night, 8 – 10 trollies of plants are brought into the shop every night to keep them looking good. Last year at this time we were wondering if we would be able to get supply of plants for the season as they were selling so fast. Hey ho! We have got loads of wonderful new plants in stock waiting to see you.
Next week we will be getting in our first delivery of Grafted Vegetables from Suttons, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Aubergine, Courgette, Sweet Pepper & Chilli Pepper. Last year Suttons sold out of this product very early due to the demand. Grafted Tomato plants give you 6 – 8 trusses per ‘single’ tomato and 5 – 6 trusses per ‘double’ and ‘duo’ grafted tomato plant. 75% more fruit on a grafted plant and earlier and longer fruiting period. Grafted plants have excellent resistance to soil-borne pests and diseases. They are superb for growing on a patio, obviously they will grow faster in a greenhouse or grow house. The tomato varieties are
Belriccio Beefsteak
Cupido Small Plum
Elegance Gardeners delight
Juanita Small cherry
Lizzano Heart shaped
Orangino Yellow
We will also have Cucumber Iznik, Chilli Pepper Medina, Sweet Pepper Britney. If you need any advice on growing any of these veg you can speak to a member of our team. The plants will be £3.99 each.
With the cold weather and few sunshine hours the soil temperature is much lower than last year, it will take a few days of warmer weather and sunshine to get seeds germinating properly. Remember to protect any new shoots that do pop their heads above the surface of the soil. Small plastic cloches are a good and cost effective way of protecting new seeds and encouraging growth of new plants. They keep off the frost, warm up inside when the sun shines creating a warm, moist micro climate for the plant to survive.
“Yew, Helmdon churchyard”
Did you know in Helmdon Church yard there is a massive Yew tree (Taxus baccata) about 1700 years old, correct 1700
“Yew, Helmdon churchyard”
Have a great weekend by the fire!
Ashley
www.bellplantation.co.uk | www.poultrycentre.co.uk
The Gardeners year gets under way.
The Gardeners year gets under way.
The specific definition of the exact timing of “spring” varies according to local climate, cultures and customs. At the spring equinox, days are close to 12 hours long with day length increasing as the season progresses. Spring and “springtime” refer to the season, and also to ideas of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection, and regrowth.
In spring, the axis of the Earth is increasing its tilt toward the Sun and the length of daylight rapidly increases for the relevant hemisphere. The hemisphere begins to warm significantly causing new plant growth to “spring forth,” giving the season its name.
Suddenly there is everything to do. Buds on the plants are starting to fill, shoots beginning to appear. By now, especially after the few dry days we have had all the dead vegetation from last year’s plants should have been removed. Best to do this asap if not yet done so that when the new shoots come through they do not get damaged.
Planting new plants at this time of year gives them time to settle in before the hot summer?
Roses need pruning now if you are going to give them a hard prune, I love pruning roses, I have still got to do the roses in the Courtyard. I find the harder I prune them back the better the flowers.
Lawns will need a weed and feed, we have got a great £10 box that will do 165m sq.
Chicken poo great natural fertiliser 10kg bucket for £9.99
As we are now in March we will be filling up very quickly with wonderful ranges of plants. I have been busy over the last few weeks sourcing great quality plants at amazing prices, over 90% are grown here in the UK.
Chicken lovers we had 300 new hybrid laying pullets in yesterday, in all colours of the rainbow.
All our offers are on the website.
“‘Easter goodies’ non-fattening”
Look forward to seeing you, good advice on hand should you need it.
We have got egg loads of lovely Easter gifts.
Have a relaxing weekend!
Ashley
www.bellplantation.co.uk | www.poultrycentre.co.uk
Masses of Colourful Plants to Liven Up Your Garden
I am pleased to say I have spent a few hours in the shop this week rather than my boring office. Talking to many ‘Senior’ gardeners it appears that many have not turned their soil during the winter as it has been so wet! The north easterly drying winds we have had this week have made a massive difference, it has at least removed the puddles from the surface. I hope this weekend many gardeners will be able to catch up a bit. If you are digging incorporate some organic matter while you are at it, it will pay dividends in the long run. It will improve fertility, make it easier to dig in future, help retain moisture in dry periods, improve drainage, create a great loam to house your plant roots, loads of good reasons.
The snowdrops have flowered for longer this year due to the cooler temperatures while they are flowering. Snowdrops can be planted in the autumn as bulbs which is reasonably successful, however planting them as growing plants in a pot is more successful. There are 19 varieties of snowdrop. Obviously we have some beautiful ones (Galanthus nivalis) here at the BPGC.
Our new bird feed range from Tom Chambers is really popular, my birds at home are really enjoying it, they only get fed from the bags that break or are damaged in transit, fortunately there is enough to keep their feeders full during this cold weather.
My son Luke is starting his own Landscape Maintenance business on the 1st March 2013, only 7 days to go, I will miss him, although I will be on hand for advice if needed. He has been helping in the Garden Centre since finishing at Sheffield Hallam Uni last summer where he graduated in Environmental studies. So if you know anyone who needs some maintenance with their garden or commercial site please let him know 07515 287913 or call the Garden Centre and we will take a message.
We have got masses of colourful plants in the plant area to liven up your gardens.
Attached is a picture of Primula wanda the leaf colour and flower colours I think are great.
Have a great dry digging weekend.
Ashley
www.bellplantation.co.uk | www.poultrycentre.co.uk
Gardening tips, Bell Plantation Vacancies and ‘Arion Vulgaris’ Slug Warning
Saturday morning, fog lifting, sunny blue sky above, hey could this be the start of a spell of dry weather or even a great spring? It will take a few drying days before any major soil turning, depends a bit on how free draining your soil is? It’s easier digging if a bit drier. I am pleased to say the Garden centre is getting busy, so busy that we have 6 vacancies in our team now we are moving into our really busy period. We are looking for 2 cooks, 1 café front of house, 1 poultry centre assistant, 1 plant area expert and some full time help in the garden centre. If you know anyone who is looking for some full time or part time work drop us a line, we would love to hear from you. Come and join our happy team. I spent 3 hours yesterday on pot wash as the Café was so busy. Unemployment in South Northants is about 2.4% great for the local community, not so easy to recruit.
Our contact details are all on the website: http://www.bellplantation.co.uk/about/
“One of my new arrivals”
With the sun on the soil it will be warming up the hungry slugs. Protect your veg. There is a monster slug appearing in the UK imported on leaves and plant roots, Arion Vulgaris it can grow up to 15cm long. It has been reported that it eats dead animals and even its own kind. Lock your doors at night. It also eats plants not usually eaten by other slugs i.e. onion tops, runner bean pods and even oil seed rape.
Have a great weekend
Ashley
www.bellplantation.co.uk | www.poultrycentre.co.uk
Dahlia, Gladioli and Lilies on Offer and Weekly Gardening Tips
Its nearly June and the Ash trees are hardly in leaf! I think the growth cycle is about 4-6 weeks behind where we normally are at this time of year. It’s so frustrating not being able to get out and get on! Last Bank Holiday we had a wonderful weekend, 4 days of dry sunny weather back to back almost unheard of since March 2012. It was really encouraging for us that we saw so many new faces in the Garden Centre. My little weekly note is now read by over 5000 customers! Thank you, I hope occasionally it may be useful.
I hope those of you who have tried our Suttons grafted tomato, pepper and courgette plants are having good results, it would be good to get some feedback from you. This year we are stocking the great value Kitchen Garden range of vegetable plants, if the sales are anything to go by you are enjoying the great value and quality.
Due to the cold weather and late season our Dahlia, Gladioli and Lilies have not sold so we are selling them at buy 2 get 1 free. They are still fine to plant they will just be a little later flowering than normal.
“Latest additions to the family”
Despite the cold and lack of sun the herbaceous perennials are growing fast. Now is the time to place some plant support over them before they are too large to get the support over. If you are too late they can be supported from the side with meal looped edging that you push in the ground or bamboo canes and some twine. We also have some lovely Tom Chambers architectural plastic coated black plant supports. Tom Chambers is a company from Hull that now manufacture garden plant supports etc. They started in business a very long time ago manufacturing Lobster pots, good solid well-made product.
If your potatoes are popping their heads through the ground keep an eye on the weather forecast, protect them from frost, pop an upturned flower pot over the top.
Tomato plants will need feeding regularly. Box hedges need a lot of well-balanced food. Not too late to weed and feed the lawn, at least it will get well washed in !!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Regards
Ashley
www.bellplantation.co.uk | www.poultrycentre.co.uk
Gardening Advice – Water Retention Tips.
We are currently experiencing the driest warmest spell of weather since March 2012, I just hope it holds out for a few more weeks to help everyone get outdoors and enjoy their Garden, hopefully we will be able to help! That’s what we are here for, apart from living my hobby!
“Loads of Herbs and Vegetables”
If you have plants in pots this wind and hot sun will dry them out really quickly. Remember to water them now rather than realise too late when you see some evidence of wilting. If you are planting up new containers leave the finished soil level below the lip of the container so that when you water the water stays in the pot and doesn’t run off. Some composts these days have water retention granules in to assist the retention of moisture, if not you can add water retention granules from a packet. Years ago we did a landscape job in Mansfield on a very sandy site where we had to use retention granules to keep the plants alive. One of the team put too many granules in when he planted the plants. The next day when we went back after a rain the granules had filled up with water and pushed all the plants out of the ground. Be careful not to be over zealous with the application and mix them well into the soil.
We are absolutely full of plants this weekend, our wonderful team have got the Garden Centre looking better than ever. We have also concentrated on value for money in these times of austerity and selling British products and plants. It is not my intention to sell to you with these blogs however some of our great deals are on the website www.bellplantation.co.uk
“Loads of Herbs and Vegetables”
The bees have been a bit slow the last 10 days, however yesterday with the warmer temperatures they were ramping up the amount of daily flights from the terminal, speedy boarding!
Tips for successful Veg growing Water, feed, protection form birds, slugs, get a fine seed bed, soak pea and bean seeds in water for 24 hrs before planting.
Loads of Chickens and Cream teas!
Have a wonderful weekend
Ashley
www.bellplantation.co.uk | www.poultrycentre.co.uk
Most Marvellous Vintage Sunday. The Café is recruiting. Seasonal planting tips.
Well at last the ground has warmed up, newly sown cereal crops are putting a green sheen over the brown soil, not to be seen again until after harvest.
Now is the time to plant Dahlias, Gladioli. Plant dahlia tubers 2 to 3 feet apart approximately 3 to 4 inches below the surface. If the shoots appear before the end of the frost free period remember to cover them over, Dahlia shoots are very soft and susceptible to cold. Gladioli corms should be planted 3 inches deep a few inches apart. While in the herbaceous area now is a good time to split existing herbaceous ie Iris, Paeony, Aster etc. The easiest way is to dig part of the root out with a spade and re plant the parts of the root you have split off. Pieces approximately 6 – 8 inches diameter will be enough to establish a good new plant. Herbaceous plants grow really quickly, so don’t forget to get your plant supports in place before the plants have grown too large. It’s well worth putting some feed around all your plants, healthy plants produce more flowers, grow better and are less susceptible to pests and disease. A well-balanced granular or liquid feed of nearly equal parts nitrogen, phosphates and potash will cover most bases. Liquid feed gets into the soil and to the plant root faster than a granular feed.
We let the Bees out this week in anticipation of warmer weather. Today I have seen several return to the hive laden with pollen, at last some flowers.
The Café continues to be really busy, despite the cold season I am pleased to say. Due to its increasing popularity we need to recruit another Cook and another Front of House Manager, both positions 20 -35 hours per week. Details are on the Government website, or you could send a CV to the Garden Centre, would love to hear from you if you are interested in joining our team.
Plants everywhere. Be careful this weekend with your tender plants Jack Frost may be about.
Most Marvellous Vintage Sunday this weekend.
Love to see you, have a great weekend.
Ashley
www.bellplantation.co.uk | www.poultrycentre.co.uk
New Poultry Arrivals & Planting under a Netting Cloche
Is it going to be a coal or a charcoal weekend? Those promised warmer sunny charcoal days never seem to appear. The grass took off this week as the soil temperatures rose, ‘the first cut is the (deepest)’ hardest. There is a song there somewhere? A good sharp blade on your mower for the first cut always makes life easier. Also clean the grass bag or vents so that the air blown up from the blades can escape and deliver the grass into the box rather than getting stuck in the mouth of the mower, good tip that one it will save you from getting your hands too green.
If you have fruiting cherry or peach tree now as the buds are just coming out is a great time to spray with a fungicide to prevent peach leaf curl, this will really help your fruit crop. Our vegetable plants, no all our plants are pouring into the Garden Centre. Brassica plants Cabbage, cauliflower, kale etc. are a great meal for the pigeons and slugs. Planting under a netting cloche will prevent the birds eating the plants, it will also prevent the birds from eating any slug pellets you use. A netting cloche will also prevent the small plants from the buffeting wind we sometimes get and will create a favourable micro climate which will help the plants grow faster.
“Summer Flowering Plants”
We had our biggest delivery of Poultry this week 550 new laying pullets. The poultry team had a real task on at the beginning of the week treating all the poultry housing for bugs and beasties before the new arrivals. We also had 60 Quail, we are now selling loads of Quail and fresh Quails eggs, great hard boiled with Celery salt. We have also got week old Chicks for sale, they will need keeping warm for the first 2-4 weeks.
We are again sowing wild flower seed in the beds either side of the Courtyard, they were a bit of a disaster last year as it was so wet and cold, hope for better things this year. We have a great range of Nova flora wild flower seed in stock in mixes or single varieties.
Check the website and Facebook for deals and offers. www.bellplantation.co.uk & https://www.facebook.com/Bellplantationgc
Have a good weekend
Regards
Ashley
Ps I let the Bumble Bees out today as it is a bit warmer!
“Releasing the Bees”
www.bellplantation.co.uk | www.poultrycentre.co.uk
Tips on Feeding Plants and new Café Opening Hours
As the soil warms up plant growth will slowly start and increase as the temperatures rise. You will soon notice plants that need feeding, yellow and browning leaves, a poor rate of growth are tell-tale signs that plants are hungry. Box hedging is a really hungry plant and will yellow very quickly. A well balanced feed of Nitrogen, phosphates and potash will stop this problem. Soluble feeds applied in a watering can will reach the plant roots much quicker than a dried plant food, therefore the plant will green up quickly. Liquid feeds are much better for heavy fruiting plants as the nutrients are delivered to the roots quickly, If all the nutrients that the plant needs for fruiting were in the soil at the time of planting the plants would not survive. Dry plant food such as Chicken poo, Bonemeal and other granular feeds are better incorporated into the soil or scattered over the surface. Surface application will require the rain or watering to wash the nutrients into the soil. Incorporated into the soil the feed will be there ready for the roots to take it up into the plant. Some plant feeds are slow release and will release in the soil over certain periods of time usually 3 months. Quite handy for hanging baskets etc.
“Bonsai, wild flowers and bedding”
It is really worth putting some feed around your plants at this time of year, it will create good flowers, more fruit, healthy leaves/plants, strengthen the plant to resist disease and bugs.
I am delighted to say the Café is now open until 5pm every day except Sundays, great for Cream tea season. And you can now use our Garden Loyalty card in the Café as well as the Garden Centre, look after the pennies and the pounds look after themselves, as my Grandmother used to say.
In anticipation of a great weather weekend we have just stocked up with Outdoor Chef bbq’s gas and charcoal. The great thing about these cookers is that they will never flair up and burn / carbonise your food, what a relief!
“Colourful tableware”
Vegetables, herbs, bedding, herbaceous, fruit, trees, …………….good food, smiley people.
Have a great weekend
Ashley
www.bellplantation.co.uk | www.poultrycentre.co.uk
Bumble Bee Colony in Your Garden. Cracking Compost Deals.
Our Bees have arrived. Once again we are installing our own colony of Bumble bees which arrived yesterday. Due to the really cold temperatures and wind chill factor we are keeping them warm (as you can see in the picture) until the weekend when we hope to put them out in the Garden Centre. Fortunately they have an inbuilt food source in the box they are delivered in. Bee numbers around the world have plummeted during recent years, certain agrochemicals are suspected as being the cause. If you would like a bumble bee colony in your Garden we can supply them for £69.95 or £84.95 with a wooden shelter, price includes delivery.
Apparently, according to the weather forecasters Spring is on its way this weekend! We have still got an awful lot of our first delivery of turbocharged grafted tomatoes in stock, hardly surprising I think. The ground has hardly warmed in the stronger spring sunshine due to the freezing easterly winds. Cool soil temperatures will mean that plant action, such as germination of seeds and root growth will be slower under the soil. If you have planted seeds they will take much longer to emerge from the ground. It will be beneficial to wait a few days before planting smaller seeds until the soil does warm a little. The buffeting wind, cold soil are not conducive to achieving a good germination %. Also a tip, stagger the sowing of vegetable seeds for a longer period of cropping. A packet of lettuce seeds goes along way.
For all poultry keepers and lovers we have just assembled our first Brinsea plastic chicken coop, great design, no hiding place for those little red mites.
We have had some summer bedding and some hardier vegetable plants, brassicas and lettuce delivered this week.
We have some cracking compost deals 4 bags of 50lt multi-purpose for £10. We have 1000’s of herbaceous plants in pots/liners 5 for £8.
Moving into Cream tea type of weather, I hope.
Look forward to seeing you all.
Have a great weekend.
Ashley
www.bellplantation.co.uk | www.poultrycentre.co.uk
Grow your own tomatoes, get started with grafted vegetables.
How frustrating all this pent up Gardening energy going nowhere! This time last year we were in a drought situation, dress was t shirt and sun cream. How things change 2013 March soil is saturated and we are heading for the coldest March on record for 50 years. It makes it quite (understatement) difficult running a weather dependant business. Our team have to fleece up loads of plants every night, 8 – 10 trollies of plants are brought into the shop every night to keep them looking good. Last year at this time we were wondering if we would be able to get supply of plants for the season as they were selling so fast. Hey ho! We have got loads of wonderful new plants in stock waiting to see you.
Next week we will be getting in our first delivery of Grafted Vegetables from Suttons, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Aubergine, Courgette, Sweet Pepper & Chilli Pepper. Last year Suttons sold out of this product very early due to the demand. Grafted Tomato plants give you 6 – 8 trusses per ‘single’ tomato and 5 – 6 trusses per ‘double’ and ‘duo’ grafted tomato plant. 75% more fruit on a grafted plant and earlier and longer fruiting period. Grafted plants have excellent resistance to soil-borne pests and diseases. They are superb for growing on a patio, obviously they will grow faster in a greenhouse or grow house. The tomato varieties are
Belriccio Beefsteak
Cupido Small Plum
Elegance Gardeners delight
Juanita Small cherry
Lizzano Heart shaped
Orangino Yellow
We will also have Cucumber Iznik, Chilli Pepper Medina, Sweet Pepper Britney. If you need any advice on growing any of these veg you can speak to a member of our team. The plants will be £3.99 each.
With the cold weather and few sunshine hours the soil temperature is much lower than last year, it will take a few days of warmer weather and sunshine to get seeds germinating properly. Remember to protect any new shoots that do pop their heads above the surface of the soil. Small plastic cloches are a good and cost effective way of protecting new seeds and encouraging growth of new plants. They keep off the frost, warm up inside when the sun shines creating a warm, moist micro climate for the plant to survive.
“Yew, Helmdon churchyard”
Did you know in Helmdon Church yard there is a massive Yew tree (Taxus baccata) about 1700 years old, correct 1700
“Yew, Helmdon churchyard”
Have a great weekend by the fire!
Ashley
www.bellplantation.co.uk | www.poultrycentre.co.uk
The Gardeners year gets under way.
The Gardeners year gets under way.
The specific definition of the exact timing of “spring” varies according to local climate, cultures and customs. At the spring equinox, days are close to 12 hours long with day length increasing as the season progresses. Spring and “springtime” refer to the season, and also to ideas of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection, and regrowth.
In spring, the axis of the Earth is increasing its tilt toward the Sun and the length of daylight rapidly increases for the relevant hemisphere. The hemisphere begins to warm significantly causing new plant growth to “spring forth,” giving the season its name.
Suddenly there is everything to do. Buds on the plants are starting to fill, shoots beginning to appear. By now, especially after the few dry days we have had all the dead vegetation from last year’s plants should have been removed. Best to do this asap if not yet done so that when the new shoots come through they do not get damaged.
Planting new plants at this time of year gives them time to settle in before the hot summer?
Roses need pruning now if you are going to give them a hard prune, I love pruning roses, I have still got to do the roses in the Courtyard. I find the harder I prune them back the better the flowers.
Lawns will need a weed and feed, we have got a great £10 box that will do 165m sq.
Chicken poo great natural fertiliser 10kg bucket for £9.99
As we are now in March we will be filling up very quickly with wonderful ranges of plants. I have been busy over the last few weeks sourcing great quality plants at amazing prices, over 90% are grown here in the UK.
Chicken lovers we had 300 new hybrid laying pullets in yesterday, in all colours of the rainbow.
All our offers are on the website.
“‘Easter goodies’ non-fattening”
Look forward to seeing you, good advice on hand should you need it.
We have got egg loads of lovely Easter gifts.
Have a relaxing weekend!
Ashley
www.bellplantation.co.uk | www.poultrycentre.co.uk
Masses of Colourful Plants to Liven Up Your Garden
I am pleased to say I have spent a few hours in the shop this week rather than my boring office. Talking to many ‘Senior’ gardeners it appears that many have not turned their soil during the winter as it has been so wet! The north easterly drying winds we have had this week have made a massive difference, it has at least removed the puddles from the surface. I hope this weekend many gardeners will be able to catch up a bit. If you are digging incorporate some organic matter while you are at it, it will pay dividends in the long run. It will improve fertility, make it easier to dig in future, help retain moisture in dry periods, improve drainage, create a great loam to house your plant roots, loads of good reasons.
The snowdrops have flowered for longer this year due to the cooler temperatures while they are flowering. Snowdrops can be planted in the autumn as bulbs which is reasonably successful, however planting them as growing plants in a pot is more successful. There are 19 varieties of snowdrop. Obviously we have some beautiful ones (Galanthus nivalis) here at the BPGC.
Our new bird feed range from Tom Chambers is really popular, my birds at home are really enjoying it, they only get fed from the bags that break or are damaged in transit, fortunately there is enough to keep their feeders full during this cold weather.
My son Luke is starting his own Landscape Maintenance business on the 1st March 2013, only 7 days to go, I will miss him, although I will be on hand for advice if needed. He has been helping in the Garden Centre since finishing at Sheffield Hallam Uni last summer where he graduated in Environmental studies. So if you know anyone who needs some maintenance with their garden or commercial site please let him know 07515 287913 or call the Garden Centre and we will take a message.
We have got masses of colourful plants in the plant area to liven up your gardens.
Attached is a picture of Primula wanda the leaf colour and flower colours I think are great.
Have a great dry digging weekend.
Ashley
www.bellplantation.co.uk | www.poultrycentre.co.uk
Gardening tips, Bell Plantation Vacancies and ‘Arion Vulgaris’ Slug Warning
Saturday morning, fog lifting, sunny blue sky above, hey could this be the start of a spell of dry weather or even a great spring? It will take a few drying days before any major soil turning, depends a bit on how free draining your soil is? It’s easier digging if a bit drier. I am pleased to say the Garden centre is getting busy, so busy that we have 6 vacancies in our team now we are moving into our really busy period. We are looking for 2 cooks, 1 café front of house, 1 poultry centre assistant, 1 plant area expert and some full time help in the garden centre. If you know anyone who is looking for some full time or part time work drop us a line, we would love to hear from you. Come and join our happy team. I spent 3 hours yesterday on pot wash as the Café was so busy. Unemployment in South Northants is about 2.4% great for the local community, not so easy to recruit.
Our contact details are all on the website: http://www.bellplantation.co.uk/about/
“One of my new arrivals”
With the sun on the soil it will be warming up the hungry slugs. Protect your veg. There is a monster slug appearing in the UK imported on leaves and plant roots, Arion Vulgaris it can grow up to 15cm long. It has been reported that it eats dead animals and even its own kind. Lock your doors at night. It also eats plants not usually eaten by other slugs i.e. onion tops, runner bean pods and even oil seed rape.
Have a great weekend
Ashley
www.bellplantation.co.uk | www.poultrycentre.co.uk
