Sunday 18 January 2015

Companion planting – plants which have a mutual benefit to each other.

There are many ways in which you can work with nature to help grow crops successfully and ward off many pests by planting strong-smelling plants next to a row of vulnerable vegetables.


For example, the following plants can help deter pests from your crops:

Basil – wards off whitefly when planted amongst tomatoes
Nasturtium – attracts aphids away from beans
Alliums – confuse carrot fly and protect against slug damage
Lavender – confuses pests
Coriander - helps to repel aphids
Mint – the strong scent helps to deter onion fly
Nettles – attract cabbage white butterflies, keeping them away from brassica crops

You can find a free companion planting guide on the Thompson and Morgan website here

Thursday 15 January 2015

RHS School Gardeners of the Year Awards 2015

Do you have any pupils (individuals or groups) that are passionate about gardening? Or perhaps a teacher that is dedicated to encouraging outdoor learning? The search is now on to find the most talented and inspiring young gardeners and gardening teachers for the fourth RHS School Gardeners of the Year competition.


You can nominate them for an awards in this year's RHS School Gardeners of the Year!

Schools across the UK are invited to nominate their gardening stars for three coveted awards:

RHS Young School Gardener of the Year
RHS School Gardening Champion of the Year (teacher category)
RHS School Gardening Team of the Year

Entries are now open until Friday 1st May 2015.

Shortlisted nominees will be required to make a short video about themselves which will be watched by an experienced judging panel headed up by ITV’s Love Your Garden presenter, Frances Tophill.

More information can be found on the RHS Campaign for School Gardening website here.


Crops growing right through the winter in our poly tunnel



Tidying our lawn edging


Free month by month "what to do" growing guides

Whether you have all day to spare or just half an hour, there is always something to do in the garden. Thompson and Morgan, The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and Gardeners World have produced free month by month guides that may help you to choose;  what, where and when you can start off growing your flowers, vegetables and fruits.


Saturday 10 January 2015

North West Evening Mail article

We would like to thank the North West Evening Mail for their article about our community garden/grow your own scheme and how it can be supported.

Wednesday 7 January 2015

Encouraging wildlife into your garden

Would you like to encourage wildlife to your garden?


Thompson and Morgan have produce free wildlife gardening guides which give a great insight into how you can encourage wildlife into your own garden, from simple things like growing wild flowers, to installing ponds and creating wildlife habitats and more.

For more information please visit their website here.