I seem to be starting each month’s contribution with a comment about the amount of rainfall we have been experiencing and this month is no different. July has seen large amounts of rainfall delivered in heavy doses combined with a drop in average temperatures. Apparently, this is due to The Jetstream being further south than one would ordinarily expect at this time of year. Let’s hope it decides to head north before too long. This change in rainfall and temperature has had a beneficial effect on the garden with all crops, vegetables and flowers growing really well. Continue reading Tips from Alex – August 2017 →

I started off last month’s tips with a comment that we had received at last, some welcome rain and the impact that it had on my lawn. This month, I start with another welcome of much needed rain. The spell of extremely hot weather we have enjoyed in June has come to an end with more seasonally normal temperatures now being experienced. With temperatures over 30C my lawn has again suffered, showing many areas of scorched grass but this time, I fear it will take much longer to recover. Continue reading Tips from Alex – July 2017 →

June is upon us and we have had, at last, some much needed rainfall which has not only filled my water buts but really smartened up my lawn which was starting to show serious signs of stress. Continue reading Tips from Alex – June 2017 →

Well, it’s nearly May and the pace of gardening is picking up. The end of April has brought some quite cold weather with frosts on a few occasions which have affected the blossoming of my apple trees which will reduce the crop but as I write this, the forecast is looking quite promising with a return to the seasonal norm. Continue reading Tips from Alex – May 2017 →

Here we are in April, the month I move into top gear, gardening wise. The weather promises to be kinder than of late and with British Summer Time we can all spend more time in the garden. It is the month where most sowing and planting occurs. Continue reading Tips from Alex – April 2017 →

It’s the middle of March now and I have just recovered from jet lag having recently returned from New Zealand where, believe it or not, they have declared the agapanthus and the lupin to be pernicious weeds! It was still summertime over there; flowers were in full bloom and vegetables producing great crops. It was very interesting to see the varieties they grown on the other side of the world; many familiar and some not so and quite exotic.  Seeing all of this has served to make me look forward with eager anticipation to our forthcoming growing season. Continue reading Tips from Alex – March 2017 →

Plan your plantings by Alex Martin

 In truth, little can be done at the moment other than general tidying. Ideally, ground preparation should have commenced in autumn of last year but it is far from too late. Walking on cold damp soil at this time of year can do more harm than good, best to wait until the ground has warmed up a little. Continue reading Tips from Alex – Feb 2017 →

Musings of a Hort Soc member by Alex Martin

As I write this in late January, the days are lengthening giving the hint that better times are around the corner but we are still experiencing cold nights with below freezing temperatures. It’s enough to persuade us to be looking at travel brochures in search of warmer climes rather than think about what needs doing in the garden. Continue reading Tips from Alex – Jan 2017 →