J Parker's Ideas, Tips & Guides

Although each plant has specific needs and perfect times to prune, knowing the basics will get you by while you learn about your garden and what's in it. Here are some handy tips to get you started. When to prune shrubs Most shrubs can be pruned from early spring before they begin to regrow their leaves and gointo bloom.

Although we’ve not seen much of the sun this summer, we do usually see some warmth over the season. And with it comes its own trials and tribulations for us gardeners. If you find you struggle with wilting plants over the summer, here are our top tips to keep them in tip-top shape.

Remember the talented garden designer, Katie Townsend? Her prowess, both in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas, provides her clients with outstanding gardens that they can enjoy for years to come. But what about her own garden? Our 'Inside designer's garden's' blog series gives an inside look to their carefully curated gardens.  Let's dive in, shall we?

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at J. Parker's? We're giving you a glimpse of what our staff get up to when they're not in the office. This week, we've talked to Joanne (from Accounts) about her beekeeping hobby and her side business — honey!  If you've been thinking of starting a new green hobby, then maybe Jo will give you the inspiration you need to dive in.  What was it about beekeeping that got you started?

For many, nothing’s worse than a summer gathering interrupted by a few wandering wasps. On their quest for sugar (their primary food source), they tend to cause mass panic, making us wonder ‘What do wasps actually do?’.

Rachel Platt in the 'Chained to Tech' Tatton Garden. Image Source: Julie Skelton Photography. 

Ready for spring 2024? Our new autumn range is here, ready to help you grow the spring garden of your dreams. But what will you grow? Garden trends change every year, and we love to stay up to date! Here are just a few garden trends we expect to see in spring next year.  Colour Coordinated  Purples with pinks, yellows with oranges, whites with green.

Are you ready for spring? If not, why not aim for a show-stopping display — inspired by the one and only Keukenhof gardens. Our team visited the iconic garden this spring, and we noticed a few stand-out tulip combinations that we just KNEW you'd love to try! Here are a few of our favourites...

And that’s a wrap! The RHS Flower Show Tatton Park has closed its doors for another year. But what a whirlwind of a week it has been. From unveiling our first exhibition garden in over twenty years to being busy bees over at our stall, and even winning 3 awards for the design – it's safe to say that Tatton Flower Show 2023 was eventful.

Seeds that are sown in summer can either be planted out in winter as seasonal bedding (pansies), or stored over winter in a greenhouse, ready to plant out the following spring.  From annuals to biennials and perennials, sowing seeds is one of the cheapest ways to grow your favourite seasonal blooms and plants. Here are just a few examples of flower seeds to sow in summer.  Cornflowers — Cornflowers are attractive wildflowers that are easy to grow and even easier on the eye. They can be sown indoors over winter, ready to plant out in spring — or sown directly outdoors in early summer for a bout of blooms.

It's official, our 'Chained to Tech' garden at Tatton 2023 is award-winning!  After months of hard work, we're incredibly proud to announce that our exhibition garden at RHS Tatton Flower Show 2023 has won the Silver Gilt Award and Best Construction Award.  As we speak, our team is on-site at Tatton Flower show to answer all your burning questions — from the design's inspiration to naming your favourite plants so you can grab them over at our stall.  Image Source: Julie Skelton Photography. The hanging chair in our 'Chained to Tech' garden.  Have you been to Tatton 2023 yet? We'd love to see your pics of our garden! Tag us in your pictures when you post them on your social media — @jparkersbulbs.  Here's a few of our favourites of our 'Chained to Tech' garden so far…

It's officially the start of <a href=«https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-flower-show-tatton-park?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=18255503966&utm_adgroup=140310873745&utm_term=rhs%20tatton&utm_content=635221330072&gclid=CjwKCAjw5MOlBhBTEiwAAJ8e1qML1eJ0vl1ECPGNZRAHQYO04cgxGDXpkVE6MroQHUQgZKToH-2ceBoCeWsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=» https: target="_blank">RHS Tatton 2023

If you're new to growing Hydrangeas, then you might have a few questions on how to care for them once they're planted. Today, we're answering a burning question that our customers ask often — Can hydrangeas grow in shade?

Researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University are partnering with us in our technology addiction project that stands alongside our 'Chained to Tech' garden design. At RHS Tatton Flower Show, researchers will be surveying guests to gauge their attitudes and perceptions towards our garden.

This June, some of our J. Parker’s team helped to put the finishing touches to the patient garden at St David’s Hospice in Llandudno, North Wales. We donated a new gazebo, planters, compost and hundreds of bedding plants to help finish off the garden which the St David’s team have lovingly built so that the patients at the hospice can enjoy an outside space full of colourful flowers.

This June, some of our J. Parker’s team helped to put the finishing touches to the patient garden at St David’s Hospice in Llandudno, North Wales. We donated a new gazebo, planters, compost and hundreds of bedding plants to help finish off the garden which the St David’s team have lovingly built so that the patients at the hospice can enjoy an outside space full of colourful flowers.

Our new autumn season is here! And with it comes an extensive range of NEW and exciting spring-flowering bulbs. We simply cannot wait to show you what you can plant in your gardens this autumn. Here are just a few selections from our new range that you should definitely be growing this year.  Tulips 

Demand for allotments is at an all-time high, and it doesn’t seem to be wavering any time soon. With wait times as long as three or even four years (depending on the area), it’s likely that demand will remain high for a while. Allotments can be dated as far back as the early medieval period, according to The Natural Science and Media Museum.

Image: Mid Cheshire Beekeepers. Credit: Mid Cheshire Beekeepers.  Since 2020, we have endeavoured to partner with local charities to help boost awareness for their causes. From Manchester Mind to NorthCare Charity, our team has been working hard behind the scenes to help as many local charities as we can. This brings us to our most recent partnership – Mid Cheshire Beekeepers. This cause is close to our hearts – not just because a member of our staff is a member of the charity, but also because we recognise how important it is to spread knowledge on beekeeping to help pollinators thrive. From regular donations to spreading awareness, here’s what we and MCBK have up our sleeves. About Mid Cheshire Beekeepers Established in 2012, Mid Cheshire Beekeepers is a membership-based association that welcomes beekeepers around the area to congregate, share their knowledge, and get regular training at their dedicated garden in Northwich. They hold events and monthly talks about beekeeping subjects, as well as organise visits to members’ apiaries where they can observe hive inspections and discuss beekeeping with their peers. Mentoring and training programmes are also provided to new or prospective beekeepers, helping new generations of beekeepers to learn and grow their knowledge.

Did you know that J. Parker’s has three garden centres? Today we’re giving you a quick tour of our Lincolnshire-based garden centre! Our Lincolnshire site was bought by the Parker family in the 1950s when it was spare farmland. This allowed them to grow their own bulbs and be home to our larger warehouse, where orders could be picked, packed, and sent to customers.

Think that your shed would be more useful as an extra room? Perhaps you're after a creative space that gets you out of the house? Well, your shed could be the answer! It is possible to turn your dusty storage space into a usable spot at the end of the garden. Here's how to do it. 

If you're new to gardening, then the concept of feeding your plants might be a bit confusing. What fertiliser do you need to use? And when do you use a feed? Should you use pellets or a liquid feed? Out of all the options on the market, you may be interested in a more natural feed that you can make yourself with very little effort. This DIY Comfrey Feed recipe will provide you with a highly concentrated natural feed that can be given to any cropping plant or seasonal bloom.

Summer an important season for sowing your favourite vegetable seeds, and with the weather so nice, it’s the perfect opportunity to start growing your own produce.

Have you met our gardening expert, Hannah? She is our go-to gal for all things plants — thanks to her RHS qualification and enthusiasm for gardening! This July, Hannah will be showcasing her debut garden design at RHS Tatton Flower Show, which you will find next to our stall in the plant village.  To help you get to know her a bit better, we decided to ask Hannah a few questions about her inspiration for all things gardening.  Has gardening always been a hobby of yours?