Gardenig in Netherlands. Tips & Guides

This is one of the busiest months in the vegetable garden with a flurry of sowing. I tend to sow most things in seed trays or modules initially, but the soil should be warm enough now to direct-sow most hardy vegetable varieties, including beetroot, chard, carrots and salad crops, straight into the ground. If doing this, use a traditional garden line to create drills and follow the spacing guidelines on each seed packet. Tender crops can also be sown under cover, in modular seed trays (tomatoes, sweet peppers and chillies) or 6-7cm pots (courgettes and squash). Pot these on as they get larger, or plant outside once the weather is warmer towards the end of May.

Much like the tradition of birth stones, the origins of birth flowers are shrouded in mystery. But it's likely that since the time of the ancient Romans, people have been assigning seasonal flowers to the months of the year, the better to use them as gifts and decoration for those born in that month. It's a pretty loose tradition, and opinions vary on the correct birth flower for some months; most, in fact, have ended up with two. Some of these work best when planted in a garden, others are spectacular flowers for bouquets and arrangements. Scroll down to find your own birth flowers, and you'll know what flowers to order when your birthday rolls around.

We’re back today with photos that Marilyn Regnier shared with us of her once-in-a-lifetime trip to see the famous Keukenhof spring flower-bulb displays. The park in Lisse, Netherlands, shows off millions of bulbs each spring, with displays that are both over the top and full of ideas you can take home—on a smaller scale—to your own garden.

Rembrandt Gardens, Little Venice

Today Marilyn Regnier is taking us along on a trip of a lifetime, to see the biggest spring bulb display in the world.

Le Creuset

Repeat flowering old Rose varieties do what it says in their name however the first 5 in my Top Ten only flower once per year but still inspire.

IKEA is a home goods retailer that knows how to help people revamp their spaces. There’s pretty much no aesthetic that IKEA pieces can’t create, and the retailer has been significantly expanding their stock (and lowering their prices) over the past year. Their latest collection was announced on February 28th, with IKEA preparing to officially release it in April.

IKEA

The Iris family contains over 200 species and all Iris flowers have 3 outer and 3 inner petals with 3 stamens. The outer petals protect the inner petals as sepals do on other flowers. An inner petal is called the ‘Standard’ and the outer is called the ‘Fall’ which bends backward and hangs down. The fall is normally patterned with distinctive markings and a bearded iris has central line of pollen bearing hairs. The Standard is often a different colour to the Fall, in the example a mauve with a deep purple fall. Buds are protected by insignificant papery bracts.

For that ‘light bulb moment’ consider the two main species of Iris that will grow from bulbs. Bulbs are generally cheap and easy to grow. The bulbs are often packed in 10’s or 50’s so you can grow a group of Iris together or grow extra for cutting. The main sorts are Iris reticulata and Dutch Iris but there are also some other bulb species to look out for.

In 2024, design is taking a turn away from pastels and towards the boldness of jewel tones.

In his classic book Mormon Country, author Wallace Stegner noted that nineteenth century Mormons planted rows of Lombardy poplar trees wherever they established settlements in the territory that is now Utah. The trees served as windbreaks and boundary markers, but they were also the flags that marked the advance of Mormon civilization in a hostile territory. In my hometown and lots of other towns all over the United States elm trees served a similar function, marking the spread of middle class residential neighborhoods during the end of the nineteenth and the first third of the twentieth centuries. In the 1960’s almost all of those tall elegant trees fell prey to Dutch Elm Disease, making each municipality a little poorer.

Approximately 180 species of gladiolus are available to the gardener. Originating from South Africa on rocky slopes, marshy areas and grasslands, they are also found growing in the Mediterranean, Asia and Central Europe. The latin name “Gladiolus” means “small sword”, which is referring to the shape of the leaves and flower spike. They were at one time referred to, as “sword lilies” or “corm lilies”, as the plants are formed from round, flattened bulbs, called “corms”.

As with fashion, floriculture also has its trends. Dutch botanist Jacqueline van der Kloet signals two color trends.

With his brother Chris, Paul Blom selects premium bulbs to be sold to discerning customers by the family company, Bloms Bulbs.

How to Start Gladiolus Indoors for Early Flowering

Offering some of the closest beaches to London, Essex has a reputation for kiss-me-quick resorts and dormitory commuter towns. The truth is that this flat county, defined by slow-flowing rivers, estuaries, salt marshes and oyster beds, abounds in subtle charm. The Romans settled in Colchester and evidence of their occupation can be found in many coastal settlements. In the 1560s Flemish protestants brought their silk-weaving skills to the town, while the Dutch reclaimed swathes of land for farming. 

Boasting some of Britain’s most beautiful countryside, the Lake District, in the north-west corner of England, is a draw for anyone with a love of the outdoors. Its hills and mountains, including England’s highest, Scafell Pike at 978m, attract walkers and climbers, while in the valley bottoms, vast lakes, such as Windermere and Ullswater, invite quiet contemplation.

In late winter and spring, usually before the leaves appear, catkins hang from the bare branches of trees like alder, hazel and silver birch. The first known use of the word ‘catkin’ is in an English translation of a Flemish botanical guide written in 1554 by physician and botanist Rembert Dodoens. He uses the Dutch word katteken meaning ‘little cat’ which was translated as ‘catkin’. Catkins are also known as ‘aments’, derived from the Latin for ‘strap’ or ‘string’.

There is no other spring flower filled with as much color and optimism as the tulip. However, in order to create a dazzling seasonal display in the garden, you must give some careful consideration to planting your bulbs.

If you have always wanted to know about the names of Zucchini in Different Languages, then this informative list has all the details!

Ever wondered,Are Carrots Man-Made? The question has caused both confusion and speculation. As people become more aware of food sources, whether carrots are natural or man-made has become a very interesting question. In this article, we answer this in detail and dispel all myths.

From soft blush tones to vibrant magenta hues, discover the symbolic meanings behind these beautiful Pink Tulips and find inspiration for your outdoor haven!

Header image: ESA’s Large Diameter Centrifuge (LDC) running at full speed. Image credit: ESA –A. Le Floc’h

Alocasia Wentii boasts arrowhead-shaped leaves with intricate veins and a deep green hue. The elongated, wavy edges of its leaves give it an elegant and exotic appearance. Ready to nurture this stunning plant to perfection? Read on!

From squiggly furniture to blob-shaped rugs, it’s clear that curves are making a comeback in design. Bubble houses in particular have been, and continue to be, a fascination when it comes to architecture.

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Purple Tulip Varieties – From delicate lilacs to deep, regal hues, the world of purple tulips offers a captivating range of shades that can transform any garden or floral arrangement into a sea of royal splendor!

This year was a whirlwind of earthy colors, TikTok micro-aesthetics, moody spaces, and bold and innovative design choices. And while summer is only just barely behind us, the design world already has its sights set on the New Year and the trends we can expect to see in 2024.

How to Grow Bulbs on a Budget Gorgeous spring blooms are a worthy investment, and here are tips on how to grow bulbs while making the most of your budget and time. Enjoy a colorful spring garden with flowering bulbs — even on a budget!

Ever wondered what the National Flower of Turkey is and why it holds such significance in the country’s culture and history? You’re about to embark on a fascinating journey that will reveal not only the identity of this captivating bloom but also its deep-rooted symbolism and influence in Turkish society.

Discover the allure of the Pink Carrot – a vibrant and eye-catching twist on the traditional orange variety you know and love. Offering a burst of flavors and a unique color palette, Pink Carrots not only add visual appeal to your culinary creations but also come loaded with a unique set of nutrients that can level up your health game.

These Purple Carrot Varieties come with a twist – offering the best combo of color and taste! Keep on reading the explore the tastiest ones!

Don’t know about the yellow tulips meaning? From representing joy and friendship to embodying optimism and new beginnings, read on to find the answer to “What do yellow tulips mean?”

Herein in lies part of its charm. Tiny coastal villages, lazy rivers, reed beds and their narrow, watery channels, sandy beaches and the wide horizons for which the region is renowned make this a place of glorious escape. The region is studded with gardens to visit, too, be they aristocratic estates or smaller country houses.