GARDEN + GARDENING + GARDENING TIPS & ADVICE

An allotment can provide the perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. Unfortunately the waiting list for allotments in the UK has shot up significantly, so if you’re lucky enough to have got your hands on one you’re probably pretty keen to make the most of the opportunity. Living ‘The Good Life’ and serving up your own home-grown vegetables provides a huge sense of satisfaction. Unfortunately, for those of us without green fingers, progress can be slow. In order to help, here are five gardening tips to improve your crop today.

Rotation
The dustbowl of 1930’s America was a direct result of poor crop rotation. Different crops require different nutrients, meaning that if you grow your carrots in the same patch year after year, the topsoil will be devoid of the minerals they require to grow. Rotating crops regularly will ensure your topsoil remains rich in a wide variety of nutrients, leading to bigger and tastier veggies on your plate.

Free compost
Every garden needs a compost bin, and the sooner you start one the better. Mixing this stuff in with your topsoil will help to create an environment rich in nutrients and minerals. It helps your allotment, it helps the environment and it can cut down on the amount of waste you throw out – perfect! There’s plenty of websites out there devoted to creating the perfect compost, and it’s well worth taking a look at a few.

Natural insecticide from boiled up rhubarb leaves
If you’re keen to keep your allotment as organic as possible, you’ll want to avoid chemical based pesticides of all kinds. These chemicals can not only affect the taste of your vegetables, but also wash away into local water systems causing damage to organisms living there. A natural alternative used by gardeners for years is boiled rhubarb leaves. These are poisonous to both humans and less desirable creepy crawlies, and this mixture can be spread over leaves and topsoil to help protect your plants.

Watch where you walk
Plant roots need space to expand into and breath. If your topsoil is overly compressed from being repeatedly trodden down, their growth will be significantly slower. What’s more, water dissipation will be affected, meaning the soil will be waterlogged at times and overly dry at others. Try and lay down a few planks in between your plants and vegetables, and stick to walking on these as much as possible. It’s also important to thoroughly turn over any soil using a fork before planting.

Don’t overdo it!
Once you’ve finished cleaning up the previous owners mess, it can be tempting to fill the neat new space in front of you with as many plants as possible. This can leave many gardeners overwhelmed, as it’s easier to care for and maintain established plants than to grow a whole new set. Start off small, adding more complicated plants as you go, and in time you’ll have the garden of your dreams.

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of Boughton Loam and Turf Management. James enjoys growing his own fruit and vegetables and passing on tips to others.

Summertime is coming and evenings are becoming warmer. Now is the ideal time to think about garden lighting ideas so you can thoroughly enjoy your outdoor area or yard, even at night. This article looks at some creative garden lighting ideas.

Garden oil torches

Electric lighting can sometimes appear harsh; most won’t equal the cosy gentle feeling of real flames. Oil torches can bring this glowing aura to your outdoor space without costing too much. Great for lighting a walkway post torches can be purchased in a choice of heights. These can be pushed into the soil wherever you want, meaning they are very functional. By burning oil you don’t need to have access to electricity making these torches convenient for anyone. If you have decking or a paved area you can still make use of these torches as stands are available. Candles are small and easily moved, however they burn out quickly. Substitutes to wax candles are small oil lamps specifically designed for tables or surfaces. These create a lavish feel that candles do not; they are also equipped with a safety mechanism so the oil does not leak out and carry on burning if the lamp is knocked over.

Wall lights

Wall lights are staple fixture for any yard or outdoor space. From the moment you step outside you want see where you are walking, wall lights are not only practical from a safety point of view, they can also be unique and fashionable. If you’re fascinated by period dramas you might value a lantern that hangs with textured glass and an aged finish. In contrast there are some particularly modernistic wall light options, e.g. the infinity cube. Composed of laminated glass this product emits light in a unique way.

Free standing lamps

With magnificent free standing lamps you’re able to continue your interior design outside. You would be surprised at the choice of fabulous designs purchasable from cube seat lights to basket weave lights, bringing an element of Spanish style. You do not need to worry about complex electrical wiring with these plug and play lamps, all you need is a socket outside. If you do not have an outdoor socket, seek assistance from a trained electrician prior to purchasing.

Decking lights

After spending a lot of hard earned cash on garden decking you want your lights to be of a similarly high quality. LED deck lights are perfect for decked areas as they sit flush with the ground allowing them to blend in with the floor. These lights are safe to walk over, even in bare feet as they do not produce any heat. If you have a railing surrounding your decking you may want to consider lights that are built into the corner posts. These lights are discrete when switched off but add a stylish edge when lit.

There are a large range of choices when considering garden lighting. The first thing you ought to do is examine your area and envisage the type of lamp that will fit your needs. Once you have a concept now’s your chance to shop. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for straight away as not every shop supplies the same product range.

If you’re thinking about buying some lights for your outdoor area there are a variety of retailers with a vast range of styles. Green Squares has a large choice of garden lights from oil torches to free standing lamps. Specialising in contemporary designs Green Squares may just have that exceptional feature lighting you have been looking for.

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