Head Gardeners’ Tips
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December 06 2018
Sallie Sillars - Head Gardener, Scotland
december 2018
"Approaching the shortest winter day is a reminder to check that the garden is ready to get through its hibernation without too much trouble."
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December 06 2018
Stephen Hackett - Head Gardener, Salisbury
december 2018
"Paperwhites (Narcissus tazetta) are fantastic to have indoors at this time of year for their white flowers and wonderful scent. They can get a bit leggy though and start to flop. Use bits of twig rather than canes to support them discreetly. Alternatively, I'm reliably informed that a drop of gin or vodka when you water (no more than 5% - and remember that this is for the bulbs, not the gardener) will slow down their growth. You will get the same display of flowers, but on shorter, sturdier stems".
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November 05 2018
Sallie Sillars - Head Gardener, Scotland
november 2018
"Herbaceous perennials create structure and add yearlong colour to many gardens. Now is the time you can increase your plants stock by taking divisions to grow in a divisions bed. Choose a sheltered part of the garden and supplement the soil with good quality compost to create a light airy soil. Divide your plants trim growth and lay them approximately 10cm apart in channels at an angle of 45 degrees. Cover with soil so the tips are just above the ground".
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November 02 2018
Stephen Hackett - Head Gardener, Salisbury
November 2018
"November is the best time to plant tulip bulbs (though you can plant them later if you forget!). Put some into pots, using peat-free compost with grit mixed in for drainage. In ornamental pots and planters, these will take centre stage in your patio display in April/May time. If you have enough bulbs, put some into ordinary (2 litre) plant pots too - and then use these to 'drop in' to fill any bare spaces in the borders once they're in flower next spring".
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October 16 2018
Jacqui Martin-Lof - Head Gardener Stoke Mandeville
October 2018
Autumn Cuttings - Salvia Amistad "Our Salvia Amistad have put on a fantastic show this year, their first year in a newly planted garden! Some perennials are hardier than others but to ensure that we have some plants for next year, and to safeguard against a particularly cold winter we are taking a few Autumn cuttings". Click read more to find out to find out what Jacqui recommends to ensure you will have some new Salvia Amistads to plant out in your border next year!
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October 09 2018
Stephen Hackett - Head Gardener Salisbury
October 2018
"Sow some Sweet Pea seeds now in pots or deep modules (they like plenty of root-room). They will germinate quickly and can be kept in a cold-frame over winter. Autumn-sown Sweet Peas will be ready to plant out by April, and give a good early display".
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July 12 2018
Sallie Sillars - Head Gardener, Scotland
July 2018
Head Gardener in Scotland Sallie Sillars has her top tip for gardening in July, "In extreme growing conditions the best tip I have heard is to add organic matter to the topsoil to improve water retention in dry spells and a protective layer in harsh frosts. Composted leaf mulch is soil elixir and is top of my autumn activities. Hope you and your gardens are all enjoying the sunshine!"
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July 05 2018
Stephen Hackett - Head Gardener, Salisbury
July 2018
"In this hot, dry weather it’s important to water plants effectively. A really good soak every few days is better than a daily sprinkle, and try to water in the early morning rather than in the heat of the day. Water containers slowly, so the water can really soak in rather than just run down between the root ball and the inside of the pot".
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March 08 2018
Stephen Hackett - Head Gardener, Salisbury
March 2018
"March is the time to lift and divide overgrown clumps of summer-flowering perennials, as they're just coming into growth. Lift the old clump with a fork, and then prise apart with a couple of forks back to back".
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February 12 2018
Stephen Hackett - Head Gardener Salisbury
February 2018
"Once Snowdrops have finished flowering, take stock of where they are in the borders. Now's the time to move and divide any clumps which might not quite look right - maybe they could be moved to a more visible spot for next year? February is also the time to buy Snowdrops 'in the green', which is far the best way to augment your displays. You can never have too many snowdrops! Do make sure that you only buy from a reputable supplier, and that plants haven't been dug up (illegally) from the wild".
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January 08 2018
Stephen Hackett - Head Gardener, Salisbury
January 2018
"It’s dark and cold outside, and everyone’s recovering from Christmas festivities. What better way to dispel the January blues than to cast your mind ahead to summer, and order your dahlias? The specialist suppliers will have the best selection available now, and you can spend a few happy hours (indoors!) browsing catalogues and dreaming of all that late summer colour. My favourite from this season was ‘Black Touch’, a Fimbriata variety with lovely deep crimson flowers – great for cutting - which kept going well into November".
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March 01 2018
Sallie Sillars - Head Gardener, Scotland
March 2018
"February is almost the last chance for that spring clean! By now you should have a collection of clean tools, washed pots and trays ready to use so now turn your attention to the greenhouse. I am opting to steam clean the glass, wipe down surfaces and remove any leaf matter gathered over the winter to reduce the chance of plant pathogens taking hold. Topped off by a good airing on any milder days! Now the Spring sowing and growing can commence!"
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April 03 2017
Stephen Hackett - Head Gardener, Salisbury
April 2018
"Sow annuals indoors now, and they'll be ready to plant out in the cutting border by mid May, when frosts shouldn't be a problem. Cosmos are great value but named varieties produce more flowers. Try 'Rubenza' (deep red) or 'Purity' (white)".
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June 01 2017
Jacqui Martin-Lof - Head Gardener, Stoke Mandeville
June 2018
"Now is the perfect time to carefully dig up self sown seedlings before they become too large, try not to disturb the roots. Replant to the same depth in prepared soil and water well. Self sown seedlings could include; Erigeron, Verbena bonariensis, Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella damascene), Aquilegia vulgaris, Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea), Astrantia to name but a few".
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