Monday the 23rd September was the first day of autumn. Most of the plants in my greenhouse are showing early signs of decomposition. With falling temperatures and reduced daylight their…
Ashley WarrenSeptember 27, 2019
In-store updates, Gardening expertise and friendly advice, all in our blogs!
Ashley Warren
Ashley Warren has lived and loved horticulture and agriculture all his life; he had his first greenhouse at the age of 10 and his first cow when he was 16. He started landscaping in 1984 mainly in Milton Keynes and then all over the country. He moved to Daventry Road Farmhouse in 1987 and has developed Bell Plantation Garden Centre in Towcester, Northants over the last 30 years.
Pick your own vegetables after October 31st, deal or no deal. There is no reason why anyone who has a small patch of dirt should not be able to pick…
Ashley WarrenAugust 15, 2019
What a difference a couple of weeks makes at this time of year, once January closes and a week into February, the light at each end of the day noticeably…
Ashley WarrenFebruary 14, 2019
We were working out in the plant area last week installing the new poultry area, the new year sun was warming my back. I noticed a lot of activity around…
Ashley WarrenJanuary 31, 2019
In these times of uncertainty and high drama, everyone needs to be gardening to relax the mind and soothe the soul. That’s why I am never too stressed! While the…
Ashley WarrenJanuary 17, 2019
We can all now look forward to increasing day length until the middle of June. With increasing daylight and warmth from the sun, plants will be encouraged to start their…
Ashley WarrenJanuary 10, 2019
Have you noticed how much ivy is growing up trees in our hedgerows? I personally don’t like to see ivy growing up mature trees as I think it ruins the…
Ashley WarrenDecember 13, 2018
I know it’s hard to imagine at the moment with the weather so warm but we will soon be experiencing freezing conditions. With sub zero temperatures some plants will be…
Ashley WarrenDecember 6, 2018
I am sure the frost Wednesday night will see off any remaining summer bedding hiding in sheltered locations. Organic matter in and on the soil will insulate plant roots from…
Ashley WarrenNovember 22, 2018
During my first trip to Kew Gardens in London, I was captivated by the history of the individual trees planted there. Quite timely – there is an English Oak growing…
Ashley WarrenNovember 15, 2018
What a wonderful morning, sub-zero temperature, frost, blue sky and sun shining, my favourite weather. Not so good for my Melianthus Major (Honey Bush) which is just about to flower,…
Ashley WarrenNovember 17, 2017
I was delighted when I returned from my holiday to find all the plants in my greenhouse thriving. Tom had done a great job while I was away. I had…
Ashley WarrenJuly 28, 2017
I am pleased to say intensive daily feeding of my melon plants has resulted in much greener leaves and fruit setting on the plants. The very hot weather a couple…
Ashley WarrenJune 29, 2017
I had the pleasure of attending the National Plant show at Stoneleigh yesterday. Just a quick visit to meet one or two new English suppliers. David Austin roses had an…
Ashley WarrenJune 22, 2017
I am not sure if you were aware that we purchased 2 hives of Buckfast Honey Bee’s last summer? I am delighted to say they have settled in really well…
Ashley WarrenJune 16, 2017
The high winds we have been experiencing recently are causing all sorts of problems in my garden and here at the Garden Centre. We lost a large Willow tree in…
Ashley WarrenJune 8, 2017
I was thinking what to rant on about on a cold early March Tuesday morning, Mycorrhizal fungi sprang to mind! This morning our team had an educational talk from Mark…
Ashley WarrenMarch 7, 2017
Its amazing how time flies when you are having fun! We are having a ball getting ready for the new gardening season in our new skin. I am not sure…
Ashley WarrenFebruary 10, 2017
Thank you to those of you who attended our Open Evening last Thursday and to those of you who tried coming that couldn’t get in!! We were absolutely amazed by…
Ashley WarrenDecember 9, 2016
I think its fair to say we are experiencing an Indian Summer, ‘a period of unseasonably warm, dry weather that sometimes occurs in autumn in the Northern Hemisphere’. Indian Summers…
RoniOctober 1, 2016
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