We use cookies on this website. To use the website as intended please accept cookies.

Tuesday March 19 , 2024

Blue Daisy Blog

Blue Daisy blog written by Nicki Jackson & Jules Clark - for news, views, garden design, gardening and plant observations and thoughts.

Nicki Jackson

Nicki Jackson is Blue Daisy's garden designer & owner. A former HR consultant Nicki still finds the time to run Blue Daisy, design gardens and planting plans, write a blog, keep our gardening clients happy and offer IIP advice and outplacement support through Blue Daisy Consultancy.

March Garden Jobs

Posted by on in Gardening

secateurs-240A few jobs that can be done this month:

  • Prune heathers by removing dead flower heads being careful not to cut into old wood
  • Keep on top of and remove germinating weeds
  • Lift and divide overgrown clumps of perennials to encourage invigorated growth and increase your garden stock
  • Gently scarify your lawn if not done in the autumn
  • Mow lawns on a high setting for the first few cuts
  • Lay turf or seeds from the end of this month and into April
Continue reading
Hits: 9651 0 Comments
0

March Gardens

Posted by on in Gardening

tulipleavesinspringThis month we should start to notice the sun warming up, the grass starting to grow and of course the early spring bulbs will be gracing us with their presence brightening up our borders and generally making us smile! The weather though this month can be changeable so don’t be tempted to remove any protective fleeces on your planted out tender plants. And for any you've stored under cover over winter, we can still have some sharp frosts so you may need to keep them safe until the threat of frosts has passed.

With the sun’s warmth getting stronger though the germination of weeds will begin in earnest now so it is really important to hoe them out. Any perennial weeds will need to be dug out now before they really start to take hold. Applying mulch to the soil this time of year is good because it will keep all the moisture in and cut down on the amount of weeds germinating.

Continue reading
Hits: 8907 0 Comments
0

February Garden Jobs

Posted by on in Gardening

secateurs-240

  • Put cloches over the ground that you’ll be using for vegetables so the soil can really warm up and be ready for the seeds/seedlings.  If you don't have cloches use clear polythene and ensure it is weighted down at the edges.
  • Check garden structures e.g. pergolas, arches, fences and trellis and make any repairs as needed
  • Keep ponds free of ice
  • Keep bird feeders and water dispensers topped up
  • Plan a herb garden/area
Continue reading
Hits: 17257 0 Comments
0

February Gardens

Posted by on in Gardening

snowdropsFebruary is usually a cold month and can often be colder than January, but it looks to be another year of changeable weather for us - very wet and unseasonably mild.  

This month we really start to notice the days getting that little bit longer and there are often a few sunny days to look forward to too!  The warmer days can tempt us outside but don’t be fooled there's still a likelihood of cold winds, heavy frosts and maybe even a sprinkling of snow so remember, early sowing of seeds and planting out may lead to disappointment! 

On those days warm enough to get outside and enjoy you’ll be able to see signs of life beginning to stir in and around your garden!  Snowdrops and crocuses are already up and flowering in many areas and even the daffodils have made an appearance making everywhere look so much brighter and cheerier! We're already seeing them peeping through in many of our client's gardens here in Kenilworth and Warwickshire.

Continue reading
Hits: 20538 0 Comments
0

January Garden Jobs

Posted by on in Gardening

secateurs-240Apart from a couple of frosty mornings this year has (so far) begun unseasonably mild again - albeit very wet - which means we have the opportunity to get out into our gardens early paving the way for spring.  It also means that some plants will be flowering a bit too early so keep your eyes on those tender plants especially as the chances of a cold snap will still exist for the next few months.

See below for a list of jobs that can be done this month.

 

  • If you plan on sowing seeds early this year – buy the seeds as soon as you can to avoid delivery delays
  • Check the weather forecasts to make sure you protect any tender plants from frost and wind
  • Regularly check any trees you have staked, the wind can often loosen them
  • If you have snow remember to knock it off your hedges and conifers – it can get really heavy and make them bend
  • Remove any weeds that show themselves this month
  • Wipe all the blades on your cutting tools and remember to give them a rub down once a year with wire wool to remove the rust
  • Don’t forget the birds – they rely on you for their food and ice-free water!
  • Buy some plant pot cleaner and make sure all your pots are clean and ready for this year's use
  • If you plan on sowing seeds outdoors think about covering the soil with cloches (or similar) to get the soil warm and ready for seeds
  • Install waterbutts and compost bins
  • Check any bulbs or tubers that you are storing for signs of rotting
  • Keep borders clear of debris or falling leaves
  • Keep your eyes open for any last leaves that fall, sweep them up and keep for leaf mould
  • Plant bare root roses
  • Clean both the inside and outside of greenhouses and cold frames to get ready for seeds.

 

Hits: 20204 0 Comments
0

Blog Categories

Tag Cloud

Kew Gardens Trees rainwater harvesting Futurescape Lantra hosepipe Berginia BBC ash garden advice at home composting Cosmos astrosanguineus Joanna Lumley garden design Bamboo sunflowers Tom Hart-Dyke women and work award Malvern Spring Show Capability Brown Jekka McVicar herbs cyclamen ha ha April garden structure Garden Planning National Gardening Week acer Lawrence Johnston gravel Crocus September garden garden design trends blue August garden watering can Cut flowers water feature summer garden March garden garden room sorbus Cloches legacy gift Moss Bank Park alpines water repetition Wisley Horticulturalist Prince Harry Laurel topiary June garden roof gardens Hidcote Urban Heat Island green spaces grey water pollinating insects water butt London plant pots November garden spring garden Alys Fowler RHS Malvern Mrs Loudon Herb garden bulbs Berberis eco-friendly July garden hard landscaping Wildflowers Chelsea Flower Show contemporary HNC RHS CorTen edible garden show deer Birmingham Library Greenhouse New York Highline garden focal points Taxus rosemary GYO Stone Lane Gardens garden Malvern Hills surfaces cottage garden grow your own Horticulture front garden watering Alan Titchmarsh courtyard plants unity Urban Heat Island Effect poppies snow doddington hall pollinators winner Cambridge botanical garden Ashwood Nurseries lawn care planning your garden CorTen steel water conservation form Spring shrubs sound in the garden Levens Hall sweat peas Matt James Buxus Selfridges Roof Garden herbaceous borders Floating Paradise Gardens of London kerb-side appeal Horticultural birch build Snowdrops Fleece Kensington Roof Garden Stoneleigh October garden colour in your garden paving February garden kitchen garden Kelmarsh Hall timber Herb Phyllostachys nigra saving water Highgrove Echinacea Chelsea Physic Garden terracota February roof garden National Trust elm Nicki Jackson Carol Klein wildlife career in horticulture Narcissus Hosta bees twitter hydroponic cottage gardens heatwave pests wild flowers Seed sowing Toby Buckland bulb display May garden Events & Shows Perennial Chris Beardshaw Charlie Dimmock Daffodils Gardeners World drought Great British Garden Revival Ilex pond Monty Don show gardens Glasshouse Winter shrubs NSALG December garden rock gardens winter garden recycled materials Achillea productive garden RHS Hampton Court stonemarket spring bulbs Decking house plants Briza maxima Sophie Raworth scented shrubs basil RHS Chelsea reclaimed materials Rachel de Thame RHS Tatton Park Shrubs Geranium movement in the garden Joseph Banks HTA gardening on tv vertical garden ornamental grasses patio autumn garden Coastal plants John Massey Blue Daisy Acuba Joe Swift January garden rococo Euphorbia Absorb pollution garden design tip traditional style James Wong

Welcome to Blue Daisy Blog



Our Promise

promiseWe work hard to keep our customers happy.  We work to a voluntary customer charter.

Peace of Mind

simplybusinessWe take our responsibilities seriously so we're insured through Simply Business.

Click on the logo for our Garden Design insurance details. For Gardening details see our gardening services page.

Proud Members Of...

landscapejuicen... The Landscape Juice Network where we interact with other professional gardeners, designers and landscapers.