pruning, pared way down

If you like lanterns and you want to have the most romantic and cozy atmosphere on your patio or porch, don’t throw out your large glass jars. Yes, you read that right! All you need is large glass jars and knitting yarn. I’m sure you have those large pickles jars and I’m sure you have knitting yarn at home. If not my friends, hurry to your grandma's to get some.

Fantastic Gardeners has spent 10 years putting down roots in London and now we’re ready for new growth. We’ve spread ourselves to the North West of England, call us for our affordable, professional gardening services for private residents and businesses in the following areas:

Since Doris blew our expectations for a “windy day” away, here in London the demand for fence panels at our office skyrocketed: Seeing the destruction it has caused we feel slightly obligated to talk some fences, moderate winds and hurricanes.

No food signifies summer more than watermelon. We’re so sweet on the hot pink (or yellow) fruit that we designed an entire watermelon bar party showcasing the many ways to snack on, sip, and even centerpiece-ify the hydrating produce item.

From the National Christmas Tree Federation ‘For Christmas trees, overall color of Norway spruce is fair to excellent, but needle retention is considered poor unless the trees are cut fresh and kept properly watered. Growth during the first 10 years after field planting is relatively slow and 8 to 11 years are required to grow a 6-7 foot tree.’Above in the public domain because its copyright has expired

2018 has been a very good year for Primroses and Primula. The cool, wet spring and occasional bursts of sunshine have played their part.

I have 3 good sized compost bins and the Metro district council supplies and takes away a brown bin  each month (for an annual fee). However that is still not enough at this time of year and I can fill the car boot many times over to take thick hedge prunings and woody bits to the local recycling center.

It is not quite red enough to be Lancastrian but I am happy to call it ‘a rambler from Manchester way’ in tribute to the old folk song (and the very old folk of Lancashire). You knew there may be a sting in the tail!

Looking for a refreshing strawberry dessert? This one takes the cake! I’ve used this recipe for strawberry lemon upside down cake for years, altering it along the way with more strawberries and lemon. YUM! The butter and brown sugar that are added with the strawberries and lemon rind at the bottom of the pan make a delicious strawberry jam-like topping that adds flavor and limits the need for frosting or extra cake decorating. I love to serve the cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped topping. Enjoy!

When I was growing up in S.C., we kids played outdoors, most days. The weather didn’t matter; I was all about being outside – running, biking, swimming, climbing trees, and exploring. I’ve always enjoyed the woods and creating trails and forts.

EVERY YEAR AROUND THIS TIME I ask the same question: What shall we do this winter—during gardening’s supposed offseason? A hoarfrost on the perennials and grass the other morning (above) reminded me that you-know-what will close in sometime soon, so what do you think? In return for your planning help, I’m offering a chance to win a signed copy of my collectible first book, “A Way to Garden.”

NOW THEY’RE SAYING NOT JUST THE F WORD BUT THE S WORD, TOO: snow. It finally frosted here last night, but don’t we get a moment to adjust to that before you-know-what begins? Last year the first snowfall came October 28, as I noted then; this year the Almighty NOAA (the national weather guru) says snow the end of this week.