Vol: 5 Pre-Holiday Plant Prep!

Pre-Holiday Plant Prep


The British weather leaves everyone ready for a holiday! It gives us time to forget the world and relax for a minute…perfection, however not all can be forgotten! Like any pet or child the garden needs care too, while your sunning it up in the South of France! Here are a few quick tips on preparing your garden for the good the bad and the downright dreadful weather while you’re away!

Dove Holes Gardens Don't Need Watering...

1. Aim to move pots and containers into an area that is away from direct sunlight, this will prevent them drying out as quickly if the rain holds off(unlikely but possible)!

2. You can also use water retaining gel if you are away for long periods of time, these will allow the plant to absorb the water from the gel but prevent the sunlight from evaporating it.

3. Get ahead with your weeding! Weed the garden as much as possible before you go away, as mentioned in Vol: 3 if weeds are able to get settled they are much harder to get rid of. Think of it as your mother moving in- An absolute nightmare and hard work getting rid of, avoid at all costs!!

4. Small greenhouse pants will need watering daily; asking your neighbour to water your plants is an obvious solution, however if they aren’t so willing you can install micro drip irrigation or a sprinkler on a timer. Ensure the sprinkler does not come on a peak times during the day; morning and evening are best for maximum absorption.

5. Vegetables should be picked before you leave and if possible get a neighbour to do this while you are away too. This will prevent your veg from becoming inedible and allow new things to grow!

6. De-heading finished or finishing flowers will help to keep the plant healthy and allow for regrowth.

7. Compost, as talked about in Vol: 2 should be spread over the garden after a good rainfall, it not only provides the plants with nutrients while your away, it also keeps the soil damp underneath so plants require less water.

8. Your Nomow Lawn is your best friend when it comes to holiday, it almost begs your to leave, test its stamina, you won’t be disappointed! No mud, No mess, No mowing and perfectly green all year round!

9. Indoor plants also need care. Ask a neighbour to water your plants every 2 days, over watering can cause the plant to die through root rot. Alternatively plant pots usually have holes in the bottom to allow for drainage, place the pots in a tray of water (not too deep) this will allow the roots to take in water as and when they need it.

10. Ensure indoor plants are put in a light area but out of direct sunlight.

11. Finally… don’t worry about your garden or plants while your away, enjoy your holiday and look forward to cracking on with the gardening when your home!

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Vol 4: Nomow Grass

Nomow Grass

Nomow artificial grass will give your garden the edge that all your neighbours envy! For that perfectly manicured finish without all the hard work there really is only one solution!

Whether you chose to lay it yourself or get our trained fitters to do it for you, it couldn’t be simpler. Here is a guide to how to fit your grass and the benefits it brings!!

Before

Fitting

1.       Strip the turf down to a thickness of around 40mm, this can be done using a spade (or if you’re really a pro, a mechanical turf lifer).

2.       Spread and level a 35mm layer of sharp builder’s sand.

3.       This must then be compacted using a plank and heavy hammer or compaction plate for an easier job! Gentle slopes and mounds are okay!!

4.       The weed membrane is next; roll it out over the sand overlapping joints my 300mm and leaving it 50mm short of the grass edge.

5.       Roll out the grass over the membrane to cover all areas. The edges can then be trimmed using a craft knife.

6.       If the grass roll does not cover your whole area, a jointing kit will be required; grass needs to be butted together with no fibres caught underneath and the grass must all sit the same way for the perfect finish!

7.       Apply the adhesive onto the jointing tape (rough side up) and spread along the joint surface.

8.       Place the roll edge onto the tape making sure the fibres do not touch the glue then rough up the pile at the joint to disguise the join.

9.       To fix down the edges use the ground pins and apply through grass at 200mm intervals, ruffle to disguise.

After

    10.   Finally brush with a stiff yarn brush to lift the grass and voila!

It’s as easy as that!

Benefits

·         No Mud- Even in the rain, the water drains right through!

·         No Mowing- Forget the expensive mower, just sit back and enjoy!

·         No Weeds- No moss, dandelions, etc.

·         Saves time (and your back)

·         Soft- Perfect for kids and wont scrape their knees!

·         Easy to clean- Ideal for pets, and their mess!

·         Looks fabulous- For the competitive neighbours

·         Doesn’t need watering- For the drought season (who are we kidding!)

·         20 years + life expectancy!

·         Better for hay fever sufferers

·         The injection of green- For dull, lifeless areas.

Is that enough for you?  Because I could keep going all day!

Artificial grass is the new turf!

For an easy, stress free lifestyle that puts the fun back into gardening choose Nomow!

No Mud-No Mess-No Mowing!!

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Vol 3: Weeds & Weeding

Weeds & Weeding

Weeds can be a nuisance! They are typically known for growing just where you don’t want them to grow! Here are some tips on weeds and how to deal with them:

1.    Weeds compete with plants for water and nutrients, it is important to ensure that weeds are removed to help your plants flourish, especially if conditions are not ideal and there is a limited supply of water.

2.    Weed killers are often the perfect solution, however it is important to ensure that no other plants are damaged in the process.
     The tree types of weed killer are:

·         Systemic - the chemicals are absorbed through the leaves of weeds, killing the plant as it travels through to the roots.

·         Contact - chemical kills the leaves and stems of weeds on contact.

·         Residual - forms a waxy coating over the leaves and stems, preventing photosynthesis.

3.    Weeds need to be removed and how you do it is the key to ensuring the whole weed and root is removed. Pull when wet- hoe when dry! It’s simple!

4.    Preventing a weed from seeding is half the problem. Cutting off the flowers will help prevent the spread of the weeds around the garden.

   5.    Keeping on top of your weeding will make it an easier job. Although this seems like common sense, the more established the weeds get the more resilient they will become.

   6.    For weeds that grown between paving stones and other unwanted places, try pouring boiling water on the weeds, this is a more environmentally friendly way of getting rid.

   7.    Do not put weeds or their seeds into the compost heap, most weeds are able to survive hot temperatures and will stay alive within the compost. This will then be put onto your garden and allow them to grow again!

8.    When bringing animal manure into your garden make sure that it has been fully composted, this is another potential weeds fest if not!

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Vol 2: Compost

Compost

Compost is the end product from garden waste, kitchen scraps, manure, leaves, grass clippings, straw and much more. It is the ideal plant food and will do your garden the world of good!

Why waste time and money on buying in soils and compost when you can make it for free, it’s the very best way to save money in your garden during the recession.

 

Tips:

 

1.      Compost requires a mix of both green and brown waste to keep the pH balanced; this should be added in equal amounts. Brown: Straw and food Green: Grass and clippings.

2.      Ensure that diseased plants, especially those with soil-borne diseased are kept away from the compost heap, this can affect your whole garden if not controlled.

3.      Animal waste is perfect for the compost heap! Horse and Cow manure compost especially, they contain specific nutrients that are ideal for plant nurture and growth.

4.      Turning your compost heap regularly allows new oxygen to be circulated through. This will help speed up the decomposition process. Inserting a metal rod or stick into the heap will help to create an air pocket meaning that the heap may not need to be turned as regularly.

5.      You can add products to your compost to help the decay process and provide necessary nutrients, one of the most widely recommended is Alfalfa Meal which acts as an activator.

6.      Keeping your Compost heap in a black contain and in direct sunlight will help speed up the process. Black absorbs the sunlight to heat the compost helping the bacteria to thrive, the optimum temperature is between 49-72 ۫۫ C

7.      Worms are a compost heaps best friend, any worms found in the garden can be put into the heap, they will be happy there and help your compost along!

8.      The end product should be a dense, damp but not wet, rich brown soil. There should be no trace of the waste that was originally put in to rot.

9.      Finally, when the waste is fully decomposed soak the compost in water to “brew”, the final product will be compost water that is ideal for plant food.

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Vol 1: Watering

Watering:

1.       Never give a plant too much water. Although this may seem the solution before going away or in a drought, it can mean roots become too wet leading to rot. This is also known as “drowning” the plant.

2.       New seedlings are like children, it is important to remember that collected water may contain infections or bacteria that preventing the seedling from growing. Always use fresh water when raising a new plant.

3.       Although soil may look dry, this is not always a sign that the plant needs watering. Scraping away the top layer of soil should reveal damper soil. If this is not the case water the plant and soak the pot in a try of water for up to 15 minutes, this will allow the plant to regenerate its water supply at its own speed to reduce the chance of rot.

4.       Watering the plant in the early morning or evening will help reduce the risk of evaporation allowing the plant to take in the most water possible. It also helps reduce the risk of leaves scorching from water reflection.

5.       The optimum water level is an inch a week for most plants although small plants are likely to require more.

6.       Look out for the browning of edges around the leaves of your plants, this is a sign of over watering.

7.       Watering is essential for that competition winning vegetables, juicy vegetables require as much water as possible however herbs require dryer soil for a more intense flavour. It is important to know your plants and what they require water wise for the best outcome possible.

8.       The type of soil also effects the watering cycle, sandy soil absorbs and drains quickly where as more clay based soil retain water- Analyse your soils before watering to avoid root rot.

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