Our recently reviewed and updated grow your own scheme user policy

The benefits of companion planting

What is companion planting?  - it is creating planting schemes which have a mutual benefit to each other. It is not only about natural pest control but also about helping other nearby plants by improving nutrients in soil and compost, providing a little shelter from wind and helping to attract a variety of beneficial insects. It can also help improve pollination of fruit and vegetable crops.

Details of a good companion plant guide can be found on the Thompson and Morgan website here.

Not a bad start to the day at the office

A productive time in the poly tunnel

Early crops in some of our raised planters

Helping to attract beneficial creatures into your garden

You can attract a variety of creatures into your garden by building a minibeast hotel  -  everything from bees to hedgehogs and ladybirds. They can be fun and interesting to make and built using items such as; wooden pallets, dry leaves, logs, bark, twigs, bricks and old tiles.

For details of how to build one please visit the RSPB website here.

An early bee enjoying dandelions on the banking area

A varied allocation of planters so far this year

What to do in the garden

If you are wondering what to do in the greenhouse, in the vegetable garden or in the flower garden Gardeners World may have the answer.

For top tips and gardening advice please visit their website here.

Something a little different - a nice end to the day

Hyacinth flowering in one of our planters

How much food can you grow in six foot?

How much food crops can you grow in a small space? That is the question Vertical Veg will be trying to find out over the next couple of months.

You can follow their progress on their blog page here.

Iris flowering through our slate chippings

An early peacock butterfly

Helping our pollinators

Butterflies are in decline and need help. One way in which we can all help is to plant and grow wildflowers. They not only look good but attract a variety of pollinators such as butterflies, moths and bees. Many varieties will also self seed after flowering.

If you would like to know what to sow the Butterfly Conservation Trusts secret gardener has some wildflower seed suggestions and details on how to grow them. For more information please visit their website here. 

A miserable day outside so its time for indoor garden planning

Re-potting nasturtiums in the poly tunnel

Tidying and removing weeds from raised planters

Recycling plastic bottles - helping to protect seedlings

Helping to give nature a home

Whether you have a garden, a balcony or just a few flower pots and containers the RSPB have a range of activities that will help you attract wildlife and provide nature with a home. From birds to bees and butterflies to moths.

You can learn more about how you can help attract wildlife by visiting the RSPB website here.

Today we are mainly thinking of the summer

Hopefully we will have another bumper crop of apples this year

Compost bin offer from Recycle for Cumbria

More information can be found on the Recycle for Cumbria website here.

Freegle give and take event with seed swap

Transferring seedlings in the poly tunnel

Looking forward to the growing season ahead

Free gardening advice from the Royal Horticultural Society

Whether you have a garden, an allotment or containers the Royal Horticultural Society has produced a wealth of free practical advice that could help you grow your own. There is a wide range of topics including: growing your own fruit, vegetables and herbs all year round, wildlife gardening and dealing with pests and diseases.

If you would like more information please visit their website here.

A little TLC for our lawn mower and hedge trimmer

Free ID spotter sheets from Plantlife

If you want to know what may be flowering near you Plantlifes free ID sheets could be just what you need to help you find and identify them.

You can download several free ID spotter sheets from the Plantlife website here.

There is always something to do in the garden - maintaining our wheelbarrows

Time for a few repairs to our large planters

Spring is in the air

Top 10 easy to grow vegetables for beginners

Do you want to grow your own vegetables but just dont know where to begin? unsure of which varieties can be grown easily? how much space do you need?

If these are some of the questions you have Thompson and Morgan might have the answers. They have produced free information on their top ten easy to grow vegetables for beginners. For full details please visit their website here.