How To Use Decorative Stones To Enhance Your Garden

Spruce up your garden this summer with decorative stones!

Decorative stones can be a fantastic way to give your garden a quick makeover, and there are a huge number of different styles to choose from. This quick and simple garden fix can help give your garden a newly landscaped feel, no matter how big or small your outside space is.

Decorative stones can add a different layer to your gardens look, they provide textural interest and can create a sense of space, divide areas, or lead they eye in a certain direction. Garden stones create contrast and depth and work wonderfully with gardens which are bursting with colour and foliage, creating a rustic yet modern look.

So just what can you do with decorative stones?

Here are some ideas:

Create A Garden Path

Landscaping stones can be wonderful for creating a garden path which can cleverly elongate your garden, and guide visitors to different sections within it.

Larger paving stones are an ideal safe flat service if you want to place pot plants, garden furniture or even a fire pit or barbecue on them. Smaller stones can also create a textured, striking look – coloured granite can work well for this.

Garden Gravel

Garden gravel can be a fantastic low-maintenance alternative to a lawn or driveway which requires regular watering and maintenance.

Coloured slate can provide an interesting alternative to the usual grey coloured driveway and can really set off brightly coloured plants and flowers in your garden, either side of the pathway, or even as a flattering contrast to the exterior of your house.

Ponds or Water Features

Decorative stone can work well as a border for a water feature or garden pond.

Using decorative stone around the edges of a water feature draws attention to it and also clearly marks its edges – which of course is useful too!

You can also use garden stones such as natural cobbles to enhance water gardens – the water trickling over the stones brings the countryside right to your doorstep!

Flowerbeds and Planters

Garden stone can also be used to create stunning contrast in your flowerbeds and planters. Softer chippings often work best here such as Cotswold Buff which has a creamy white colour, and looks wonderful against vibrant greens of plants and foliage and bright and colourful flowers too.

Rock Gardens

Give your garden a Zen-like feel and create your very own rock garden. Pebbles, stones and boulders all can be used to create different shapes, shades and textures in your rock garden. The best rock gardens are a feast for the eyes and combine a variety of plants flowers, and mosses as well as fine pebbles, and colourful stones.

Using stones in your garden can create a number of wonderful effects, refreshing your outside space with the minimum of hassle or maintenance needed.

At Bury Hill we have a fantastic range of decorative gardens stones and chippings which are naturally hard-wearing so perfect for driveways, paths and patio areas, as well as for mulching and dressing flowerbeds and planters. If you would like some advice on what kind of decorative stones will work best for your garden give our friendly team a call on 01306877540 – we’d be happy to help!

The Different Kinds of Soil Explained

Understanding the Type of Soil You Have in Your Garden Will Help Your Garden Grow

Identifying the kind of soil you are dealing with and being aware of the characteristics of different kinds of soil will help you determine whether it will be a good host to your plants and flowers, and if not, what you can do to rectify this.

There are five main types of soil that gardeners can expect to find on their land. Testing which kind of garden soil you have can be done by looking and feeling the soil, and also by seeing how much water it holds.

Sandy Soil

Sandy soil can spell trouble for your garden. It contains large particles, has trouble retaining moisture and feels dry and gritty to the touch.

Not being able to hold moisture is a problem if you are trying to grow plants and flowers – as naturally they need to be able to suck up water and nutrients from the soil in order to flourish.

The gaps that are created between the large particles means water drains straight through the soil making it extremely difficult for roots of the plants, particularly young ones, to reach it.

There are some good sides to sandy soil for a gardener however. The consistency of the soil means it heats up easily creating a mild and warm environment which plants appreciate, and it is light and easy to work with too.

If you have sandy soil you will be able to tell by adding water to it and trying to roll it into a ball, if you cannot do this and the soil reminds crumbly, the soil is sandy.

Silty Soil

Silty soil feels smooth and silky to the touch. This is a reasonably fertile soil, though still can’t hold as much moisture as one would hope for in an ideal garden climate.

Because of its smaller particles it is easy for silty soil to become compacted, which can result in poor aeration -aeration is important for water and nutrients to be easily absorbed into the soil.

Clay soil

Clay soil has the smallest particles of these three, and has a sticky feel when moist, though smooth and silky when dry.

Because of its small particles, its water retention is good. However, this also means that compaction is an issue and if water cannot easily pass through the soil it can become logged if there is heavy rainfall.

It can also be hard to manipulate if the weather becomes very dry so it is important to keep turning it over in the warmer summer months.

Saying that, clay soil is one of the most beneficial for your garden. It is slow draining, which means it will hold onto nutrients better which your plants can then feed off, resulting in more successful plant growth.

Peaty soil

Peaty soil has a rich dark brown colour and feels soft to the touch when dry, and spongy when wet.

Peaty soil holds plenty of organic matter and retains water easily which makes it a useful option in the warmer months as it will hold water, yet also protect your plants roots when heavy rain is experienced.

Peaty soil is often used to help pH levels in soil and control diseases too.

Saline Soil

Saline soil is usually found in very dry regions so is unlikely to be found in the average UK gardeners home!

Saline soil is very damaging to plants due to its high salt content which prevents water uptake by plants. If you have saline soil you are likely to notice a white layer on the surface of your garden soil.

So which kind of soil is best for my garden?

For general gardening the ideal soil type for gardeners is actually a combination of silt, sand and clay soil.

This soil is known as loam soil. Loam soil retains moisture while also draining well and is also easy to manipulate and keep aerated.

If you don’t have loam soil in your garden do not despair! You can help treat your soil with a good soil conditioner, or by adding a layer of nutrient rich topsoil to your garden to give it a boost and help your garden plants to flourish!

Bury Hill has a huge range of premium grade soils to suit any garden and gardener. If you would like to discuss your needs, why not give our friendly and knowledgeable team a call on 01306 877 540?

The Many Uses of Bark and Woodchip

Woodchips and garden bark chippings not only look great -they are good for your garden too!

Wood chips are a useful, hassle-free way of making your garden look great, and have been a garden staple for both novice and veteran gardeners for many years. Whether you are looking to create a fresh new look, want to create a pathway or border, or need to cover a section of your garden that’s gotten a little tired, wood chips and garden bark are both great options. But what many people don’t realise is they can actually help your garden flourish at the same time!

So what can you do with garden wood chips and bark chips? Here are just some of their many fantastic uses.

Mulching

Mulching is a fantastic way to keep your soil in great condition. Covering the soil with a layer of mulch helps it to retain water, and also deters and suppresses weeds from growing through the soil and spoiling your gardens well-kept look.

Contract Ornamental Bark is a popular choice which looks attractive in flower beds or garden pots, making them easier to maintain. A screened mixed Woodchip is another useful option which won’t break the bank, and helps to dress beds and keep weeds at bay.

Both of these compost very slowly, and therefore are very economical – they will only need topping up occasionally, and will keep your garden healthy and looking great for many months to come.

In your garden borders

A layer of garden wood chippings around your garden’s border will create a barrier on top of the soil which makes it difficult for weeds to grow through.

Achieving this look couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is scatter a layer around 7.5cm thick over your borders, on well-nourished soil and you will have immediate protection.

Spring is the perfect time to do this as the chippings will also protect the roots of flowers and plants from being damaged by the heat of the sun, and help prevent the soil from drying out.

Bear in mind that you need to use chippings which have been specially made for mulching – fresh chippings do not work in the same way and can absorb nitrogen from the soil which is needed to allow plants to grow. The layer of chippings also adds texture and warmth to your garden and keeps it looking neat and tidy too.

In the pots

Garden wood or bark chips can also be useful to cover the soil in plant pots and in hanging baskets, though use finer, smaller chippings if you are going to do this.

This will keep your garden looking uniform and the same benefits for your pot plants and hanging baskets will be achieved – keeping the soil protected and moist, which means you don’t have to worry about such regular watering during the hot summer months.

You can expect to see your pot plants, and all those covered in bark or wood chips, grow quickly as the chips help to encourage plant growth as well as nourish and aerate the soil.

For pathways

A pathway of wood or bark chippings can be a great feature in any garden, creating neat sections and helping to give an impression of space.

If you want a garden path, but would prefer to do it on a budget, chippings are an excellent, low maintenance choice as an alternative to hard pathway materials which take considerably more time, money and effort to lay down.

To achieve the look make sure you put down a membrane between the soil and chippings which you should puncture with holes so water can easily drain through. Your pathway of chippings needs to be quite deep – around 10cm is best, so ensure that you have dug deep enough to be able to achieve this.

For children’s play areas

Playbark is a excellent material for children’s play areas. This durable material is easy to install and makes for a fantastic looking space for children to play in safely – helping to prevent accidents or injuries. Our play bark is a carefully selected, 100% natural British pine with a lovely pine odour. It is perfect for play areas but can also be used to suppress weeds, and keeps soil moist and healthy too.

What kind should you buy?

There is a wide range of bark and wood chippings available, and they come in a variety of colours so you can find one that you feel will best complement your garden’s ‘look.’

At Bury Hill, our bark and woodchips are perfect for creating a natural, rustic look in your garden, and our top quality play bark is perfect for children’s outdoor spaces.

If you would like to buy wood chippings for your garden, and would like any advice on what kind would be most suitable for your project, why not call our friendly, expert team on 01306877540 or drop us an email today?

Lawn Care in Spring: How to prepare your lawn for summer months

The best lawn care tips to follow this spring in order to achieve a perfect summer lawn

This is the time of year when you should start preparing your lawn for summer.

With the weather becoming brighter and warmer getting your lawn in great condition is paramount, and will leave your garden looking healthy and well-kept, so you can fully enjoy your outside space during the summer months.

The climate at this time of year means your lawn will start actively growing, and if it has been left over winter it will need some love and care to get it back looking its best.

No lawn can be left untended for too long. In order to keep grass growing healthily and strong, and to avoid sparse dry patches, you need to feed, water and cut it back regularly.

Even if initially it may require some time and effort to bring your lawn back to life, once you have done so, a little and often approach is best, and providing you give it regular maintenance it shouldn’t be a huge job to keep it looking great.

If you haven’t already started, now is the time to start thinking about your lawn and, and with the right attention, it will start to flourish in no time at all.

Here are the top spring lawn care tips you should follow in order to achieve the perfect summer lawn.

Mowing

This is one of the more obvious, but still crucial tasks to complete in order to maintain your lawn.

While not much growth may have occurred during the colder months, you will no doubt have noticed your lawn now beginning to grow again.

Mowing your lawn not only gives it a neat, well-kept, and even appearance it will also keep it healthy by eliminating pests from the grass, clearing bits of debris that may not be immediately obvious if your lawn is overgrown, and help it to easily distribute and absorb water, sunlight and feed due to its even nature.

When you cut the grass on your lawn you are eliminating the weaker, thinner strands, leaving only the most vigorous and hardy shoots which will give your lawn a greener, more luxurious appearance.

The older cut grass that falls onto the earth (even though you will undoubtedly clear the majority of it away) helps to fertilise the earth creating a natural compost which stimulates even more growth.

Do this regularly in spring and summer and your lawn will stay looking fresh and bright throughout.

Eliminating moss

Moss can cause problems to the look and health of your lawn. If your lawn is damp and poorly drained moss can grow and create issues when it comes to creating that neat and even look.

Moss growing on your lawn is usually an indicator that your soil is not right for growing grass – either that it is too acidic, too moist, or is nutritionally poor or too compacted.

These conditions are perfect for moss to thrive in, but not for your lawn! Killing the moss is the first step and can be done with a good quality herbicide or moss killer, which often come combined with a fertiliser. Following this, the lawn will need scarifying which removes the moss and weeds leaving the grass. However, to thoroughly tackle the problem you also need to change your soils condition.

Do this by aerating the soil where necessary and by distributing a fine layer of loam topsoil and/ or soil conditioner to help your lawn recover from the stress and feed the bacteria within the soil, helping to improve its root mass. Alternatively, a good quality green rootzone (a blended sand and compost mix) can also be applied following scarification and re-seeding which is available to order online or by calling 01306877540.

Feeding your lawn

A good lawn fertiliser is useful to help maintain your lawn. Feeding your lawn on a regular basis will help to increase growth and the strength of the grass shoots. It will also keep weeds at bay.

For best results apply a good lawn fertiliser when the soil is damp. Do this as early as possible in spring/ summer. Too late in the year and you could actually damage your lawn by encouraging too much growth too late on which will then potentially be damaged by the cold weather, or pests and disease.

Planting grass seed

There may be patches of your lawn that have become sparse and dry particularly after scarification, and if this is the case you may need to seed over these areas to encourage new growth. Always use a good quality FRESH grass seed which has been coated to aid germination.

Pay attention to the more shaded areas of your garden where lack of sunlight may have affected growth.

The best way to plant grass seed is to create a seed bed by either carefully raking the areas to be re-seeded or by applying a fine topsoil or rootzone. Sow the grass seed at half the recommended rate (unless you are starting from scratch) and then gently rake over the soil for even distribution of the seeds.

Keep an eye on the weather and water the areas if the sun stays out for a few days. You should see the newly planted grass start to show within 7-10 days.

One of the problems with over-seeding your lawn, however, is that it can create a patchy look in terms of colour. It may be advisable to simply seed over your entire lawn in order to achieve a uniform result.

Watering your lawn

Pay careful attention to how much water your lawn is getting. In the UK watering is not usually necessary for your lawn to stay in good condition in summer. However, if you encounter a particularly hot, dry summer, then use a fork to aerate the soil before you water and then do so once a week in order to keep the soil from drying out and the grass turning brown.

Looking after new lawns

If you are planning a new lawn this summer then make sure you choose top quality grass seed or lawn turf to achieve the perfect, manicured garden lawn look.

You can find advice on the best time to lay lawn turf here.

Be sure to carefully follow instructions, and remember not to use your lawn right away. Lawn turf needs at least a week to settle and lawn seed should be planted and allowed to grow until it is ready to be cut back by mowing before it is used.

If you follow these handy spring lawn care tips you are sure to have a beautiful, fresh, well-nourished garden that you can enjoy all summer long!

Bury Hill provides everything you need to get your lawn in great condition this spring. From premium grade topsoils and soil conditioners to grass seed and lawn turf, if you are looking to create a fantastic lawned area in your garden then our friendly and knowledgeable team will be happy to advise you. Get in touch today!

The Easiest Vegetables To Grow in the Summer

It’s National Vegetarian Week in May, and while you might not want to give up meat just yet, learning to grow your own vegetables in your garden might just inspire you to do so!

Growing veggies in your garden is possible even in the most modest of outdoor spaces, and there is nothing more satisfying then making a delicious home cooked meal from freshly gathered herbs and vegetables that you have lovingly grown yourself.

Creating a vegetable patch or herb garden is easier then you think, and even novice gardeners will find that with a little love and care, they can grow some fantastic veg that will keep on giving all summer long.

So what are the easiest vegetables to grow in the summer? Here are eight of our favourites.

Salad Leaves

Salad leaves are fast growing and need little work, and the fantastic range you can plant gives your garden a variety of lovely textures too.

Different types of lettuce leaves can all be grown outside. Spinach is great as can be grown all year round, and punchy rocket is a sure fire hit for its peppery flavour which works well in salads.

Make sure your soil has been turned over, and fertilise it with a good compost before you seed. Water regularly, especially in hot weather and you should be-able to reap the rewards in as little as 2-3 weeks.

Spring onions and Radishes

These are both super easy, fast growing veggies and are perfect for those with a smaller space for their vegetable garden. You can grow both of these in pots or sow directly into the ground – whichever works best for you.

These lovely plants give salad texture and crunch and will keep on producing throughout the summer months.

Peas

Peas are great for gardens that don’t get a lot of sunshine as are happy to grow in colder weather.

You can plant peas between March and June and throughout the summer you can enjoy plucking fresh peas for a variety of dishes – even better, the more you pick them the more they’ll grow.

Just remember they need support, so make sure you have some chicken wire or similar to twist the stems around so they’ll stay upright.

Mint, rosemary and thyme

Fresh herbs are a brilliant addition to your vegetable garden, and are hugely versatile in the kitchen too.

You can grow them in individual pots or set aside a patch in your garden to grow them together for a lovely variety of textures – the more room you give them, the bigger they’ll get!

Broad Beans

Broad Beans are another satisfying vegetable that are very easy to grow outside.

For the best results sow them in spring, starting them off in small pots indoors. After a few weeks they’ll be ready to plant in the garden.

However, if that sounds like too much work you can simply sow them in well cared for soil in a sunny spot and they should do well here too.

Broad Beans also produce delicate flowers that make for a pretty addition to any garden as well.

Onions and Garlic

Onions and garlic pretty much look after themselves so are perfect for those who like the idea of growing their own vegetables, but don’t have time to spend hours in the garden.

Onion bulls and garlic cloves can be planted directly into soil either in spring or during the autumn months. When the foliage starts to turn yellow you know they are done and can just lift them out, let them dry in the sun and then all that’s left to do is to think about what you’d like to make with them.

Tomatoes

Sweet, juicy home grown tomatoes are so much nicer than any you can buy in a supermarket and give off a lovely scent in your garden too. Plant them in hanging baskets around your garden for a splash of glorious colour and use a good tomato plant feed to keep them flourishing.

Beetroot

Beetroot is one of those love or hate vegetables but if you do like beetroot the good news is it is easy to grow yourself and is packed full of nutrients that will make you feel all healthy and virtuous too.
Beetroot should be planted in moist soil anytime from March to July and you can enjoy delicious fresh beetroot from May all the way through to September.

These easy vegetables are perfect for gardeners who want to give growing their own a try.

For the best chance of success make sure that you have made proper plans for your vegetable garden and thoroughly prepared your soil before you start.

We offer a range of premium grade and specialist top soils which will help get your garden in great shape as well as soil conditioner which is perfect to help improve your soils properties and give your veggies the best start!

The Most Beautiful Plant Pairings for Your Flower Garden

When it comes to making your garden look fantastic, it’s all about the planning. Regardless of how big your outside space is, with a little bit of thought you can really bring it to life.

With the celebrated Chelsea Flower Show taking place in May, and with summer around the corner, now is the perfect time to plan your flower garden, research the perfect plant pairings that will create a carnival of colour in your garden, and find out what to plant now.

Never just pick one plant on its own merit

It is so easy, when browsing for plants, to simply wander around your local garden centre and pick ones that look colourful and interesting.

However, if you really want your garden to look its best you need to think about how plants will look next to each other, and utilise every inch of your outside space to ensure each plant, shrub, tree and flower you choose is next to another that makes it really stand out.

Choose contrasting colours and textures

The best flower gardens are full of bright, contrasting colours and a variety of textures which really bring it to life.

Gardens should be interesting with plenty to look at and investigate. Everything from the walls fences and hedges that create your garden’s border, to the pots that you select to grow your chosen plants in should be picked specifically to create a vibrant and exciting look.

Think about the seasons

Now that spring is definitely upon us there is a whole range of fantastic flowering plants, trees and shrubs that are ready for planting and will blossom and bloom throughout the warmer months.

However, when summer is over it doesn’t mean that you need to neglect your garden – it can look fantastic all year round, even if that means you are admiring it from inside your cosy home as opposed to lazing outside in the sunshine!

It’s not just about the look

Plenty of plants have gorgeous scents that can make stepping into your flower garden truly delightful. So it’s important to pick ones whose fragrances blend sweetly together.

Take the climbing rose Etoile d’Hollande, for example, not only do the striking red flowers give any garden a romantic and elegant look, but the fragrance is truly sublime.

Combine with delicate honeysuckle and you’ll not only create a beautiful wall of contrasting colour, but the wonderful scent is something you’ll appreciate every time you set foot outside.

Jasmine and Lavender also work wonderfully together. Jasmine is an excellent climber, and will look great creeping up stone walls or curling prettily around fences and hedges. Big bushy pots of purple lavender provide the perfect variance and the sweet, floral, herbal fragrance is lovely too.

Think big

Even in smaller gardens if you have space for one large tree, make it a great one!

A small cherry tree will provide a fantastic focal point and the stunning pink and white blossoms that appear in late March and early April are wonderful for injecting some spring colour into your garden, and will work well with more hardy shrubs and leafy green plants too.

Think about the foliage

Flower colours should also be chosen with foliage in mind. Take the Eleagnus Gilt Edge – a medium sized evergreen shrub with sturdy, waxy green and yellow leaves.

This is a garden staple and a great space filler. Intersperse with a deep blue clematis such as Polish Spirit for a striking colour contrast that is sure to delight.

Work in other materials

A beautiful garden doesn’t simply have to be about plants. Let your imagination run wild and think about the contrasting materials you can bring in too.

Decorative stones look fantastic and create the illusion of space, as well as separating larger gardens into district areas. Garden furniture, wooden benches, and water features all create texture and movement too.

Dare to be brave

There is no harm in experimenting when it comes to plant pairings, so be brave and daring and you’ll soon see what works and what doesn’t when it comes to creating a fantastic flowering garden.

The great thing about gardening that if something looks odd you can simply carefully dig it up, plant it elsewhere and start again!

Now that you have some ideas of what you can plant now to create a wonderful flower garden, make sure that you have fully prepared your garden before you start planting.

Get your soil in perfect condition by turning it over, using a soil conditioner and adding a layer of rich topsoil too. Composts and mulches are fantastic at naturally improving the quality of your soil too, so make sure you give your plants and flowers the best start by ensuring your soil is in the best condition before you start.

If you would like any help or advice on the best way to improve and prepare your garden for planting why not get in touch with the friendly team at Bury Hill today?

How to Create the Perfect Vegetable Garden

Top tips to help start your very own vegetable patch

There are so many benefits to growing your own vegetables. Not only is it a satisfying and rewarding hobby, it also saves you money, and is good for the environment too!

With spring upon us, it is the perfect time to start thinking about getting your garden ready for the summer months, and planning and sowing seeds for your very own vegetable garden. You don’t need a big space to start organic gardening and if you haven’t got a lot of room, don’t worry – vegetables grow well in pots too.

Growing vegetables in your garden has become increasingly popular with the likes of celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall advocating using your own freshly grown food to make delicious meals the whole family can enjoy.

There is nothing quite like cooking up a fantastic meal made from produce you have lovingly grown yourself, and providing you do a little planning and take care of your veggies, you can look forward to a fantastic crop come summer. Bury Hill shares it’s tips on how to start your own vegetable patch.

Here are some top tips to help you create a fantastic vegetable garden

Select your ground

Vegetables need lots of sun in order to flourish properly, so make sure you find a bright and sunny spot to start your vegetable patch. Sun helps vegetables ripen too, making for sweeter flavoured tomatoes, onions and carrots – delicious!

Deep, rich soil is best for veg growing. If your soil is thin and dry then now is the time to boost it. Topsoils, composts and mulches will help improve your soil and make your garden perfect for planting veg, and a good soil conditioner can help break down heavy, wet soils which help your plants grow well.

If your garden is paved you can still join in the fun, simply build some raised beds – these will actually help protect your veg from pests, and save them from being trampled on by children/ pets too!

Raised beds also improve the soil drainage and elevate your crops further towards the light!

Protect from pests

Your plot is undoubtedly going to attract slugs and snails who will try to get a sneaky taste of your delicious vegetables. Make it difficult for them by keeping your plot clear of long grasses and weeds. Using natural slug pellets to keep them at bay is another good idea too.

Stick to the guidelines

It is tempting, when getting excited about growing your own vegetables, to ignore the advice on seed and plant packets and to try and start growing them before it is recommended to do so.

Always wait until the dates stated on the packets. In fact waiting until nearer the end of the recommended start date is likely to give your plants the best chance of good growth.

If you plant your seeds to earlier then you’re meant to, cold weather and a lack of light means it will be difficult for them to recover.

What to plant

There are a huge range of fantastic vegetables that you can grow at home. If you are new to veg growing and not sure where to start, here are some of the easiest:

Salad Leaves

Salad leaves are great to grow in the garden, you can choose from a range of flavours and textures, and they grow quickly meaning you should be able to reap the benefits in just a few weeks!

Potatoes

Everyone loves the humble potato! Really growing potatoes simply involves keeping them well watered, and it is great fun rummaging in the soil to find them at the end of the season.

Peas

A fresh pea is truly delightful, and they are great for gardens that don’t get much sun as they will happily grow in cooler weather. You can plant them from March and they should be ready to pick from June through to August, and the more you pick them, the more they grow!

Herbs

A little herb garden is an easy way to grow some of your own food, and a great one for the kids to help out with. Mint, rosemary and tarragon all do well in moist soil, and with a decent amount of sunshine, they should flourish quickly.

Carrots

Since it’s international carrot day on the 4th April why not try your hand at growing your own carrots this year? Carrots need little water and like lots of sun, and you can do lots with them in the kitchen too!

Organically growing your own vegetable garden is lots of fun and even novice gardeners with only a modest outside space can still give it a go.

So why not see what you can grow in 2016 and get planning your vegetable garden now?

At Bury Hill we offer a wide range of garden solutions to improve the look and feel of your garden and help your plants and flowers flourish. For help and advice why not give our expert team a call on 01306877540 – we’ll be happy to help!

The Benefits of Composting in Your Garden

How compost can help your garden grow

Many people tend to think of compost as an environmentally friendly way to reduce household waste, and while controlling waste is, of course, fantastic, keen gardeners also benefit from using compost in the garden as it has a huge number of significant benefits.

Of course, if you are unable or unwilling to make your own, but still want to reap all the benefits of composting, then it is easy to purchase. Good quality compost is a fantastic way to give your garden a much-needed boost and to help it flourish.

So what exactly does compost do?

Improves soil structure

Healthy soil is usually a rich dark brown colour and has a soft and crumbly touch. This indicates enough air and moisture are within it and it contains enough energy to move freely.

Adding compost to your soil will help it to get to this point and keep it healthy from there on. It also helps to neutralise your soil’s PH balance which is useful for plant growth.

Increases its ability to hold nutrients

Compost is nature’s best fertiliser – it is essentially a group of organisms that live in the soil – bacteria and fungi as well as common garden creatures such as earthworms.

These organisms help soil remain healthy, and the organic matter found in compost allows essential nutrients to be held in the soil which plants and flowers can then obtain.

Compost also releases nutrients slowly over time so they don’t leach away, which can be the case when using certain synthetic fertilisers. Plants and flowers need a steady supply of nutrients in order to thrive, and this is what compost provides.

Uses less water

Healthy and fertile soil uses less water, and if compost creates healthy soil it should retain more moisture which means you don’t need to use as much water in your garden.

Obviously the larger your garden the more advantageous this is, but whatever its size, using less water is good for the environment, and less hassle for you too!

Keeps disease at bay

Some studies have shown that compost can help keep pests at bay, and where more sterile soil can eventually become overrun with these and eventually ruin your garden, compost will help to naturally reduce the number of these problematic diseases, keeping your garden safe and healthy.

Compost is also good for keeping soil loose and easy to manage. Soil compaction can be an issue in soil that is not healthy. It also helps to inhibit erosion, and, if you are using clay soil, can promote drainage and aeration.

Composting has so many fantastic benefits which make it an essential product for most gardeners to keep their soil healthy, and give their plants and flowers the best chance of blossoming and flourishing each and every year.

If you are looking for great quality compost, mulch or topsoil to improve your garden’s soil in preparation for summer, we offer a fantastic range, and if you need any advice why not contact our friendly team today?

Make Your Garden A Wildlife Garden: How to Encourage Wildlife in Your Garden

How to encourage wildlife in your garden

Encouraging wildlife to take up residence in your garden is a great way to do your bit for the environment, and can help it flourish too.

Even those with a small urban garden can use this space to invite natural wildlife to come in, and the sounds of bees buzzing and butterflies flitting from flower to flower is sure to have a positive effect on your wellbeing too!

So what can you do to turn your garden into a wildlife garden? Here are some fantastic tips to encourage wildlife to come in.

Look after the bees.

Anyone interested in wildlife and the environment will probably be aware that the number of bees in the UK has been rapidly declining over the last few years, with at least two species of bee becoming extinct in the 21st century.

Bees feed on the nectar of flowers so why not give them an easy meal or two by planting some wildflowers in your garden? We offer a range of high quality wildflower turf and seed which will attract bees into your garden.

Bees are excellent pollinators so play a key role in producing many of the foods that we enjoy, so it is only fair that we give them a helping hand and do everything we can to conserve these lovely creatures -the beautiful mix of colours and textures of wildflowers in your garden is a fantastic added bonus too.

Help the hedgehogs.

Hedgehogs are another delightful wild creature that are sadly in decline. Luckily there is plenty we can do to help them. Hedgehogs are always on the lookout for food sources as well as to find a good spot to settle down for the night, or even search for a mate.

If you have a lot of land you may find that hedgehogs are happy to wander through your garden, but even in an enclosed space you could create a gap to allow hedgehogs to roam in and out of your garden freely.

Hedgehogs love to feast on mealworm, and sunflower hearts, but you can also buy specially made hedgehog food, and they are even partial to meaty dog food and unsalted peanuts too!

Leaving out water for hedgehogs to drink is also helpful, but remember that milk can actually cause them upset so don’t try to coax them in with that.

Creating sheltered spots for hedgehogs to live in can be created or bought and will keep them safe and protected from predators. Another important point is that slug pellets and weed killers can be dangerous to hedgehogs if they ingest them, so using organic products, composts and fertilisers will keep them safe as well.

Boost the butterflies.

Butterflies are attracted to colourful flowers, so include plenty of them in your garden to attract beautiful butterflies and other insects and bees.

While butterflies tend not to be too fussy, if you want to give them the optimum environment, planting clusters of small, tubular flowers or flat topped blossoms are ideal as their shape makes it easy for butterflies to land and feed on the nectar. Including flat stones in sunny areas of your garden are also attractive to butterflies who enjoy resting on warm spots after enjoying a good meal!

Care for the birds.

With spring on it’s way, now is the ideal time to think about including a birds nest box in your garden. Even the smallest gardens can accommodate one, and in doing so you will be helping to conserve birds species, giving them an ideal, safe and secure place to nest and breed as well as being a truly joyful experience if birds do choose to take up residence and lay their eggs in your nest box.

Include the insects.

Insects are an important part of our ecosystem, and attracting insects to your garden can keep it flourishing as they feed on pests that may otherwise destroy it.

They also naturally fertilise soil, keeping it healthy, and ideal for growing plants and flowers.

Avoid use of chemical laden fertilisers and allow your lawn to grow a little longer, and you can encourage a variety of harmless insects into your garden providing them with much needed shelter, which is particularly important over winter where they look for suitable spots to hibernate.

By making little, inexpensive and simple changes you could easily transform your outside space into a thriving wildlife garden, which will not only bring you satisfaction in the knowledge that you are doing your bit for the planet, but will also bring colour and life to your garden all year round.

Gardening Tips for February

Useful tips for gardening in February

You may think that gardening is only an activity you can get engaged with in the warmer months. However just because winter is upon us, it doesn’t mean that you have to pack your gardening tools away, or leave your garden until the sun comes out once more.

In fact, upkeep of your garden should continue all year round, and in winter it is a good idea to keep on top of pruning and weeding, as well as preparing your soil and sowing seeds in good time for spring. If you have left your garden to become a little unruly since the summer, and aren’t sure where to start, simply take a look at these tips for gardening in February, and make sure you garden stays looking great all year round.

Protect your plants

When a cold snap is just around the corner, it’s a good idea to make sure you take care of the more delicate plants in your garden. If you don’t they may become damaged and difficult to bring back to life. In fact, even in mild winters, or protected areas of your garden, it is a good idea to gather your most tender plants and bring them inside.

If you don’t have a suitable area to keep plants in your home, there are still measures to be taken to help them survive harsher outdoor conditions. Wrap terracotta pots in bubble wrap or fleece to stop them from cracking, group them together so they won’t topple in strong winds and move them to the sunniest spot in you garden to allow them to warm up when the sun does shine.

Keep an eye on any shrubs and small trees to check that they are not becoming loose in the soil and tend to them if needed, in order to secure them again. You can erect a windbreak to keep them out of the wind and mulches are useful to keep roots from becoming damaged in the cold. Mulching with compost is also useful to give plants a boost and get them ready to regrow and flower in spring.

Give your garden a good tidy

Winter is the perfect time to tidy up a garden that may have become overgrown or untidy. Use this time to prune plants such as rose bushes and Wisteria. Cut back any branches of trees that might have grown too much or that block out the sun. Cut old foliage and any damaged or diseased stems of plants. Give sheds and fences a new lick of paint, pull up weeds that may have grown in between cracks in decking or paving and treat with a weed killer.

Wash empty pots and get rid of slime and debris, tidy up sheds, and clean your patio by giving it a good scrub or by using a pressure washer.

Plan ahead

If you wish to grow certain plants and flowers in your garden you need to do the preparation now. Fruits and vegetables can be grown early but you should prepare the soil in advance. Place newspaper or cloche over the soil to warm it up for a few weeks, and keep it loose and crumbly with regular raking. When you sow use a good quality topsoil to give your plants and flowers the best chance of growth. Start sprouting potatoes now, sow peas for an early crop, plant fruit bushes in a sheltered position and use a good fertiliser once a week to keep ensure they have all the nutrients they need.

Spend time planning how you would like your garden to take shape and order your seeds now. Spring flowering plants can also be purchased now, in fact you can order many plants and seeds over winter now to avoid a rush later.

Look after your lawn

It is easy to stop caring for your lawn during the colder weather however it is a good idea to keep it trimmed and make sure you don’t walk on lawned areas if it has been snowing as this could damage the grass underneath it. If you are planning on growing your lawn for summer you may wish to start looking at lawn turf or grass seed and preparing your garden for laying this now too.

Keeping your garden in good shape this winter is a great idea, and if you put a little bit of effort in now you are sure to reap the benefits when spring arrives.