Preparing seed trays and containers in the poly tunnel

Maintaining, tidying and reallocating raised planters

How to grow tomatoes - free advice from RHS

Tomatoes are one of the easiest vegetables to grow and will reward your efforts with a steady supply of fresh tomatoes throughout the summer. There are a wide range of varieties from small cherry tomatoes to giant beef stake tomatoes and they are ideal for spaces of any size, including patios, planters and even hanging baskets.

For detailed information on growing tomatoes please visit the RHS website here.

February in the garden - a good time to start planning what to grow

Our bird feeding stations continue to prove popular

Looking forward to the new growing season

Growing vegetables in containers

If your space is limited dont be put off from growing your own vegetables. There are a wide range of vegetables that can be grown in pots and containers. Suitable varieties include; beetroot, peas, beans, raddish, potatoes, peppers and onions.

 
For more information on how to grow vegetables in containers please visit the RHS website here.

How to grow potatoes with Thompson and Morgan

Planning for the new growing season

Time for a little tool maintenance

Growing onions and shallots

Onions and shallots are particularly easy to grow and make the perfect low maintenance crop for beginner gardeners. They won't take up much space either, so you can squeeze a row or two in between other crops or even grow them in wide containers.Shallots are normally planted as sets (immature bulbs). They can be sown from seed, but most gardeners prefer to start from sets as they are quicker to mature, are better in colder regions, less likely to be attacked by some pests and diseases and need less skill to grow than seed.

Add organic matter, such as garden compost before planting and rake in a dressing of general purpose fertiliser. Plant shallot sets 25cm (10in) apart in rows 40cm (16in) apart from mid-November to mid-March. Gently push them into soft, well-worked soil so that the tip is just showing and firm the soil around them. Onions and shallots are remarkably undemanding and require only occasional watering during particularly dry periods. However, you will need to hoe between the rows regularly to keep on top of weeds. Any flowers that appear should be removed immediately to prevent onions from bolting.

Preparing for a new growing season - maintaining planters

Now is an ideal time to begin preparing for the new growing season, Whether it is planning what to sow, cleaning tools, tidying or maintaining planters - there is always something to do at our grow your own scheme.

Free gardenening advice and ideas from Love The Garden

Whether you're new to gardening or an expert, have a balcony or a large garden, Lovethegarden are here to help you...

Love the garden provides simple, clear gardening advice, ideas and inspiration with topics that include; growing your own, treating garden pests and weeds, seeds and cuttings and plant finder. 

For more information please visit their website here.

A thrush pays a visit

Easy to grow vegetable seeds and plants for beginners

Would you like to grow and harvest your very own fresh vegetables but just don"t know where to begin? Growing your own doesn"t need to be difficult and complicated and you don"t always need a large space as many varieties can grow quite happily in pots and planters.

If you would like more details Thompson and Morgan have produced a list of their top 10 easy to grow vegetables on their website here.

How to build a bird nest box

You can help the birds in your garden by creating a nest box. These can make a real difference to the success or failure of birds in your local area, especially when complimented by a regular supply of food. They can also be fun to make.

A detailed step by step guide can be viewed and downloaded on the RSPB website here.

Free guide - how to attract wildlife into your garden?

Providing nature a home is something we can all do to help threatened species. The RSPB have produced an excellent free 28 page colour guide with information that will help you attract wildlife all year round.

Request a free copy of the "Giving birds and wildlife a home in your garden" guide on the RSPB website here.

Free, practical gardening advice from Gardeners World

If you are looking for ideas, top tips and expert advice that could help get the most out of your gardening Gardeners World have produced free "what to do" monthly guides, practical videos and problem solving advice.

For more detailed information please visit their website here.

Free gardening advice from the RHS

Do you need a little inspiration or some gardening advice? The Royal Horticultural Society has produced free month by month gardening guides on their website here.

A morning spent making natural bird feeders

Free month by month gardening guides

Throughout the year you can always find something to do in the garden. Thompson and Morgan have produced free month by month guides which could help you stay up to date with all your seasonal gardening jobs and maybe provide you with some additional inspiration.

For more details please visit their website here.

Little blue birds visiting our homemade feeders

Time to hang up the homemade bird feeders

Bird Feeding Tips: food and feeders

Autumn leaves

Robins in the undergrowth

Autumn in our planted borders

Planting bulbs for spring butterflies and bees

During the next couple of months you can plant bulbs that will provide nectar for butterflies and bees beginning to emerge from hibernation in the spring. You can layer bulbs in containers so they flower from say February until July.

If you would like more detailed information on how to plant layered containers of bulbs for early butterflies and bees please visit the Butterfly Conservation website here.

Planting and growing bulbs

Bulbs are one of the easiest and most rewarding plants to grow, providing interesting and colourful displays whether it be in containers, planters or garden borders.

You can find expert advice and top tips on websites such as:

How to grow bulbs - Thompson and Morgan
Planting bulbs - Royal Horticultural Society

Harvesting tomatoes from the poly tunnel

Dragonflies and damselflies making the most of the sun

A variety of butterflies enjoying our mixed planting

Companion planting - free advice from Gardeners World

Companion planting is an organic method of maintaining a natural balance in your garden, aiding pollination and keeping pest numbers down. Common plant combinations include growing nasturtiums to deter aphids from attacking your beans, and planting alliums around carrots to ward off carrot root fly. Most companion plants are strongly scented and confuse pests looking for their host plant. Others attract beneficial insects, such as ladybirds and lacewings, which prey on aphids.

Gardeners World have listed 10 companion plants to grow on their website here

A variety of crops in the raised planters are ready for harvesting

Adding colour in some of our raised planters

Would you like to support us by sponsoring a planter?

Would you like to join a number of local companies, clubs and voluntary organisations that have already recognised the important role that Marsh Street Arches and Garden Community Interest Company plays in our local community and have made a conscious decision to support our work by sponsoring a planter on our community grow your own scheme for a 12 month period.

The planters are used by local people, local primary schools and various local organisations such as; MIND in Furness, CADAS,  Drop Zone Youth Project, Beaumont College, Love Barrow Families and Furness Parents and Carers Disability Forum. 

For £100 for a 12 month period your organisation will be assisting this important community asset and your contribution, if you so wish, can be recognised via your sponsorship being publicised on one of the planters used in the community grow your own section of the garden.  We believe that this represents a win – win situation for both of our respective organisations and we sincerely hope that you will be able to assist us by becoming one of our sponsors. 



All finances raised via sponsorship are locked into the CIC and will be used for maintenance, ongoing running costs, garden supplies and materials and to help cover the cost of training workshops and other general activities.

 If you are interested in this opportunity you can contact us by post to:

Marsh Street Arches and Garden CIC

c/o Furness Building Society
51 - 55 Duke Street

Barrow in Furness

Cumbria

LA14 1RT

By email to: greenheartden@aol.com

Mobile: 07919 991 989

What to do in the garden in July - Free advice from Vertical Veg

Wondering just what to do in the garden this month? 

Vertical Veg have detailed their top tasks including:

1. Watering
2. Feeding
3. Sowing and cuttings
4. Pruning, tying up, pinching out
5. Harvesting
6. Wormeries.

For more information and free advice please visit the Vertical Veg web page here.

Bearing fruit in our mini orchard area