What to do this month
Garden tidy
A winter garden tidy is one of the best ways to set your garden up for success in the growing season ahead. Although February can still bring cold and unpredictable weather, it’s an ideal time for clearing, organising and carrying out light maintenance before spring growth begins. Tackling these jobs now makes your garden easier to manage and ...
How to attract birds to your garden
Birds add interest, movement and sound to our gardens as well as helping to keep down certain insect pests – especially many caterpillars and aphids. Our feathered friends welcome food throughout the year; in colder months when food is in short supply, to help them when nesting and raising chicks in spring and also through the summer months ...
Ask Colin
Meet Colin, our resident garden expert. Whether you would like advice for the best plant for a particular place in your garden, or how to care for a favourite houseplant then Colin is here to help. Tell him the details and Colin will get back to you personally with what to do.
Alternatively, read Colin’s FAQs to see if your question has been asked before, or take a look at our How-to pages
Ants
Various Formica, Lasius and Myrmica species
Ants rarely do any direct damage to plants, but their mining can kill roots, and their effects are secondary. But their anthills are a nuisance in lawns and borders.Symptoms
Ants crawling over structures and plants – either individually or in large numbers
Anthills – mainly in lawns
...
Asparagus beetle
(Crioceris asparagi)
Asparagus beetle is the most serious pest of asparagus. Heavy attacks by this distinctive beetle weaken the plants and reduces crops in the following year.Symptoms
Black beetles with six yellowish blotches on plants
Greyish-black, six-legged larvae on plants
Foliage eaten away
Foliage dries up and turns brown
What is ...
Contemporary garden
Contemporary gardens are becoming increasingly popular with their minimalistic approach to design. Simplicity, style and low maintenance is the order of the day with this garden design, making it easy to create and even easier to look after. A Contemporary Garden is very much an extension of your home and is usually made up of raised beds, ...
Cottage garden
Reminiscent of quintessential English countryside gardens, the romantic cottage garden look is as beautiful as it is easy to achieve. While many specific garden looks depend on order and organisation, this is a rich tapestry of colours, scents and flowers in abundance which focuses more on creating something you love, rather than sticking to ...
