March Roundup

Hello again.

Well, what a month, starting with freezing temperatures and flurries of snow with the 'Beast From The East' then high winds with 'Storm Emma'.  Actually we weren't' too badly affected here.  We had a little snow, but it barely covered the ground, and we could still see the grass underneath.  Laying quite low in the Rheidol Valley and only five miles inland, we hardly get snow at all.  We did however have freezing temperatures and very high winds.  Several large trees and branches had fallen and blocked the track to our entrance, so they had to be cleared.  Rob went out with his chainsaw, and made quick work of them. 

As the weather warms up the mollusc world starts to come alive again.  Munching on those tender new shoots is the favourite past time of those pesky slugs and snails.  There are several methods to deter them from munching their way through your prized perennials.  We try to stay away from anything that may harm the environment like slug pellets containing methaldathyde which can be dangerous to other wildlife including birds and baby hedgehogs.  Last year we tried wool pellets, but they didn't seem to be very successful or we've got tough wool resistant slugs.  This year we have decided to try a new product on the market.  

Slug Killer by Bayer uses ferric phosphate, a natural occurring mineral which breaks down naturally to iron and phosphate enriching the soil.  It can be used all year round and is great for organic gardening.  We'll let you know how it performs in a later post.    

Easter is traditionally the start of the gardening calendar for many of you.  To kick off the season we have been busy in the polytunnel preparing plants for the forthcoming plant fairs we will be attending this year.  Our first on will be in Aberystwyth on Saturday 14th April.  I have noted that because of the harsher winter this year some of our plants are a little smaller than the ones we had last year.  We will start the season selling plants mostly in 1 litre pots whereas last year we had lots in 2 litre pots.  This year therefore we will be selling them cheaper than last year...at least until they are big enough for a bigger pot.  For those not able to attend the plant fairs, we will be updating the website as soon as plants become available.  

Happy gardening, see you soon.

Debs & Rob

February Roundup.

Hello again, we hope you are all doing well.  

February is over now, and being the shortest month of the year, it seems to zoom around quicker every year.  

We've been updating our website and will continue to add new plants for sale as they become available.  Its exciting to see them all growing more vigorously every day.  We have potted up many plants into fresh compost, mixed in slow release fertiliser, increased our watering program, and tidied and pruned where necessary.  We are already seeing the first bright yellow blooms appearing on our Doronicum orientale 'Leonardo Compact' (Leopards Bane).

The daylight hours are lengthening and the birds are preparing themselves for the nesting season.  We've seen a few pesky squirrels on our bird feeders too.  We bought a squirrel feeder a couple of years ago, which they fed from for a while, then proceeded to chew right through it would you believe.  We haven't replaced it...there seems no point.  

We will be attending several plant fairs this year, details to follow.  Exciting times ahead.

Thanks for tuning in, keep checking the website for updated information, until next time.

Happy gardening.

Debs and Rob

January Roundup.

Welcome to a brand new year.  2018 is now well under way with a month gone already.  The birds are singing again and the promise of spring is just around the corner.

We’ve had lots of rain over the winter and even got flooded out, with gallons of water running through the house.

Outside we had prepared well and had moved lots of the plants under the cover of the polytunnel to keep them from getting too waterlogged, however as we have limited space, many had to remain out doors to fend for themselves.  On the whole they haven’t done too badly. 

There are signs of life in some of the pots now, with Aconitum, Eryngium, Geum, Delphinium and Campanulas all showing bright new greenery.  I love seeing the first sign of foliage peeking through the dark soil after the winter weeks.  

It’s time to begin thinking about getting the first plants ready for sale at the start of the season, which will be in early March.  Our nursery will be open to the public once more, and in April we will be attending our first plant fair of the season.

Until next time.
Happy gardening.

Debs and Rob