Winter gardening tips

The temperature is really dropping now. We've had a relatively mild November but now that our cars need de-icing in the morning, it’s clear that December is bringing in the wintry weather.
It’s going to require a lot more motivation and determination to pick yourself up from the cosy sofa but just a small amount of time treating your garden will prepare it for optimal spring planting.

If you’re having an outdoor Christmas tree make sure it is cared for. Place the cut trunk in water to allow the tree to drink naturally and like other trees keep it out of harsh winds and keep it sheltered. After the festive season it can be re-potted.

To protect your trees and shrubs from frost make sure to wrap them in fleece or protective wrapping such as straw. It might also be necessary to provide a wind break for plants in order to protect them from cold harsh winds. Though most trees will have long lost their leaves by now, dogwoods have beautifully coloured barks and are showcased well during the winter.

A white Christmas may be on everyone’s wish list this winter but snow may damage your trees. Make sure excess snow is brushed off branches and leaves as it can ruin the shape of your tree by breaking limbs. Herbs may need to be brought inside or wrapped up to protect from frost as well, especially if they are going to be used for your festive dinners.

Holly is the most iconic Christmas plant and if you want yours to remain full of fruits to use for decoration on the big day, you should keep it netted to prevent birds and other animals from leaving it fruitless.

If wildlife is a keen focus of yours and for your garden, make sure you have plenty of bird feeders that are well stocked during the colder months. Natural sources of food are sparse and an array of helpful bird feeders will attract plenty of red breasted Robins to your garden.

For any questions or advice on preparing your garden for winter, or ideas on what to try for your garden next year, then please contact Seagrave Nurseries.

Real vs. Fake Christmas trees

With little less than 7 days until December arrives Christmas is only around the corner meaning that thoughts are already turning to preparations for gifts, cards and decorations.

Each festive season there are always new takes on the old Christmas traditions, modern and contemporary decorations, colour schemes and themes.

Whatever your take on this festive season, it is likely you will still be upholding the old school tradition of a Christmas tree in your home or office and will find yourself confronted with the choice between a fresh, real tree or an artificial plastic version.

Artificial Christmas trees first appeared in the 1930’s and since then their appearance has become more widespread, however, what most people don’t realise though is that the best choice is always the most natural, and here’s why:

-          Cycle of life – Real Christmas trees are grown on farms in crops to maintain a constant, steady supply so while many people do believe purchasing a real tree can cause harm to the environment it actually supports the growth of the industry contributing to the cycle of life that can improve our environment. This happens because each tree absorbs CO² and other gases emitting oxygen as nature’s natural filtration system.

-          Recyclable – Landfills are faced with a shortage of space, with this in mind a real Christmas tree can be disposed of and used a mulch to replenish soil, create habitats and fuel while fake plastic Christmas trees have no further use once they are rubbish, do not disintegrate and will fill landfill space.

-          Scent – A real Christmas tree can bring a fresh scent of balsalm fir to your home which cannot be replicated and adds to that Christmassy feel and comfort often missing at Christmas time. If you’re having guests over for the holidays, give them that fresh ambience.

-          Unique – Because real Christmas trees are grown naturally they are all individual meaning that even though you may decorate your tree with ornaments that feel individual to you, your tree will be like no one else’s either, in height, width or stature. Go as large or as small as you want.

If you’re a garden centre or domestic homeowner and are looking for a Christmas tree or wholesale Christmas trees to sell this December take a look at our website with some great offers to be had.

Plan & Prep your garden hedge

Hedges have been an important part of the British landscape and wildlife attraction for many centuries. Whether you’re an amateur or veteran gardener, knowing when to plant one and how to prepare your hedge for the cooler and more brisk temperatures is key to a beautiful and thriving display for your gardens.

Hedges are typically planted for varied purposes to usual plants and shrubs found in the gardens, whether for protection, as an alternative to a fence or to prevent windbreak, they are a diverse form of plant life and therefore should be planted and maintained differently to other garden plants.

As the mists, darker evenings and winter chill appears in the air, believe it or not, now is the time to start planning your hedge planting.

Here are a few Seagrave Nursery tips to help you on your way to hedging heaven:

What hedge?

There are many types of hedging plants out there, but depending on how quickly you want results you will need to decide between the smaller hedging plants (whips) which are usually cheaper and easier to establish or larger plants which will provide boundaries a lot quicker. 

Deciduous hedges and evergreen hedges are ideal for planning early- mid autumn so the soil can be worked easily.

When?

The planting season starts when plants are lifted from nurseries like ours so usually October until early March. Make sure that if your soil is light you plant before Christmas and that for heavier clay-type soils you plant after Christmas so that there is less chance of water logging which can cause harm to your hedge particularly as they are more prone to risk after they have first been planted.

Prepare

Wherever you are planting your hedge you will need to ensure that the ground has been prepared enough so plough and cultivate. Kill any weeds with herbicide a long time prior to planting and consider organic mulches. The more preparation that goes into the ground, the more successfully formed your hedge will be.

Preparation is the most important part before planting any type of hedge, whether one or many.

At Seagrave Nurseries we can provide you with the correct guidance and advice to ensure that your hedges fulfil their potential.

At present we are offering customers 25% off the marked price of everything for a limited period only. Please browse our current range of hedging plants which can be brought in bulk or as single pieces.

Autumn gardening tips

Sadly for some, summer is almost over, but there is still plenty of jobs that that you can do to keep your garden looking beautiful and your plants flourishing – in fact contrary to popular belief the autumn and winter months should not be wasted and utilised as times to get the most out of your garden ready for next Summer.

The upcoming months of September and October provide the perfect time to get outside while temperatures are moderate and evenings are still light.

Here are some of our top tips to get the most out of your garden before winter sets in.

One last feed

Consider Autumn as preparation for your garden to go into hibernation over the winter months. Just like animals, your gardens will need to store food in order to survive.

Clear the moss and weeds from any areas of the grass to enable moisture and sunlight to get to it so that it doesn’t wilt. Consider purchasing lawn feed to balance out the nutrients of the soil and help your grass stay alive and looking a healthy shade of green throughout winter.

Expand your garden
If you are looking to expand your garden or completely renovate your current plants, shrubs and hedges then believe it or not, autumn is in fact the best time to do this, as new plants can make a strong start and have plenty of time to bed in before the colder weather appears.

The dormant season of late autumn is the best time to plant hedges purchased with bare-rooted whips from specialist nurseries like ours. These younger hedges are much cheaper than buying traditional pot-grown hedges from garden centres, planting them now will mean quicker growth in spring.

If you’re looking for an autumn flowering hedge, consider Fagus Sylvatica (Beech) which can brighten even the dullest of days with leaves that change to a copper colour but don’t fall until winter is over to be replaced by new leaves.

This applies with lawns too; seeds should be given the opportunity to take root before winter.

Take cuttings

Do you want to make new plants from the ones that you already have in your garden? If so, autumn is the time to make plant and create new growths, particularly if you own a greenhouse. Cuttings should be around 10cm tall and any lower leaves should be removed before planting in small pots of premium grade soil.

It is vital to keep them moist and watered, protecting them from strong winds and direct sunlight which can cause them to wilt.

Hardwood herbs such as rosemary or native banksias work particularly well at this time. 

Prepare your soil

Protecting your soil by keeping vital nutrients, which are needed for it to remain fertile, will ensure that your garden has a great head start at the beginning of the year to last all year long. Introducing wood chippings or mulch on top of your soil will protect your soil, particularly between plants and shrubs were nutrients are key for the winter months.

Earthworms cultivate the soil, so you will want to ensure that you have a healthy amount of earthworms in your soil. Adding organic matter like manure and leaves will improve the quality of your soil and attract worms.

For any questions or advice on preparing your garden for autumn, or plans you can grow over the course of the next season please contact Seagrave Nurseries.

How to care for your tree fern

Making up the Cyatheales group of ferns, Tree Ferns are groups of plants which take on a tree-like form and can grow -with the right care- up to 20 metres tall. Slow growing and striking in appearance they are ideal for placement in a sheltered and shady garden with plenty of space to thrive, as the plant can often spread.

We are excited about the arrival of our new batch of Tree Ferns at the end of this week and to celebrate we thought we would give you a comprehensive guide on how to care for yours to ensure that they flourish in your garden all year round.

As slow-growing plants that can increase at almost one inch per year you may want to consider purchasing a fern with a longer length of trunk to ensure it fills the space that you want to satisfy.

What to look for?

Look for healthy and undamaged crowns with new fronds of leaf and a well developed root system that is likely to adapt quickly to your garden, you will spot this by how robust the roots are in the container, don’t pick one that sits loose.

Ensure that the plant is completely pest free and has no aphids or scales on the leaves, ferns need to have a good start in life, so this is vital. Also make sure that your fern is good shape, this is especially important if it has been dug out of a pine forest.

Where and how to plant?

Our ferns generally flourish in full or half shaded gardens so avoid direct sunlight as this can dry the plant out. However, ensure that it is likely to get some and is not completely in the shade and protected from the wind.

If you have an outdoor tap and connected hose, perhaps consider planting near here. As your fern will need a lot of water.

Make sure that your soil is well drained upon planting and consider adding organic matter to help the new plant establish itself while providing an easy way for the roots to grow.

If your soil is heavier or made up of clay components then you will more than likely need to dig a hole that is twice the size of the container the fern comes in and line it with compost to improve drainage and conditions for the plant.

Feed and water

The trunk and crown of a tree fern will not withstand drying out so require regular and efficient watering, so make sure the plant remains damp and during hotter conditions, spray the trunk with water.

Unless you live in the wetter parts of the UK you will need to keep on top of watering and you will soon see newer fronds appearing perhaps 4 weeks after planting. 

Don’t feed your fern initially, once established look to feed the plant with liquid high nitrogen fertiliser, diluted as required once a month when the plant is in growth from mid-spring to summer, this will stimulate natural growth. 

Winter care

It is likely your plant will lose its fronds over the winter months, but this is natural and to be expected.

Prepare for winter forts by using our top tip of pushing hay into the crown for insulation on the immediate onset of colder temperatures, this will encourage fresh fronds to grow as spring approached by which time the hay will have rotted away and bestowed nutrients into the ferns growth serving two purposes at once. 

In the more severe winters consider Hessian blankets and wrap these around the trunk for further warmth.

Containers

Tree ferns can be grown in containers, pots, and in greenhouses as long as there is filtered light and only moderate humidity – use loam-based compost and adding fertilizer once a week droning growing season.

Many of our tree ferns are imported from Australia and are truly stunning additions to any garden. We are expecting new batch on July 31st and these can be ordered online however fronds will be removed prior to dispatch. We also offer wholesale prices for our ferns.

Or, why not come and browse our full range in person and see these truly beautiful plants for yourself? Our nursery is situated in Leicestershire. Contact us today for more information on our nursery plants.

Why is Spring the best time to start planting?

So you have been waiting all Winter and Spring has finally arrived. Why does that signify the start of the planting season?

Well, during Spring plants get the perfect conditions to grow. The wet/damp weather gives them the water they need in order to develop. In Spring the longer days mean that the plants will have more daylight and warmth from the Sun which raises the temperature of both the air and soil making the plant grow to its full potential.

In addition the warmer weather and longer days also means that we are more inclined to get out and work on the garden too.

When you have planted the plants that you want to grow, after time the plant will begin to grow a root which will anchor it’s self into the soil. If all the conditions are right, the bulb should grow as expected. But remember that when you plant your seeds/bulbs you will need to ensure you have given the seeds enough space to grow into strong, healthy plants. If they are too crowded they won't have enough light, water or food, which mean that the plant may not grow to its full potential and may even die.

So if you want to plant any seeds, Spring is the perfect time to do it. It is the time seeds germinate naturally in woods, fields and gardens.

At Seagrave Nurseries we can provide a full range of Plants ideal for planting in the Spring, including varieties such as the Famous black caned bamboo which fits into any garden either modern or traditional. This bamboo produces canes which go black in their third year, beautifully offset by deep green foliage. We also have vast Palm trees featuring a striking blue/grey colour which makes these hardy palms stand out from the crowd. These plants can reach approximately 12 feet (4 metres) when planted in U.K. Now that Spring has finally come around this year you can now plant these trees with no hesitation.

For more information please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions on 01509 621 300. 

The Art of Topiary

Topiary is a popular and fascinating past-time for both professional and hobbyist landscape gardeners. In-fact the Term “Topiary” is actually derived from the Latin term “toparius” which broadly means landscape gardener. For many it is seen as an art form, and accomplished Topiarists can produce complicated and imaginative creations by training, clipping, trimming and weaving plants into pre-determined shapes.

The term topiary is also given to plants which have already been shaped.

At Seagrave Nurseries we stock a wide range of plants, trees and shrubs that are ideal for Topiary. From Bay Trees to Yew Trees or Bonsai to Buxus we can provide plants that are pre-shaped into Balls, Cones, Cubes or Spirals, or plants that you can take away to shape yourself.

Evergreen varieties of shrubs and sub-shrubs tend to provide the best topiary, as they tend to have branches that grow close to each other and small leaves or needles that are easier to train into shapes. In addition evergreens do not lose their leaves/needles during the winter so they provide a good all-year-round spectacle.

If you want to create your own topiary art, then it is possible to buy or make wire “formers” which are predetermined shapes that you can use as an outline to train and clip your shrub around. Also, it is usually easier to start with a young, but strong and bushy plant that can be trained rather than trying to mould a mature plant into your creation.

If you are after inspiration, then there are some very fine examples of Topiary Gardens available to view around the country; many English Country Houses and Stately Homes have elaborate sculptures of animals and geo-metric shapes. Hampton Court’s Privy Garden is always stated as a good place to view exquisite Topiary creations.

So if you are looking for either a plant that has been pre-shaped or one that you can shape yourself then come and see the range that we have available, or purchase directly from our website.

7 Reasons to Consider Bamboo.

We have a wide range of Bamboo available at our Nurseries in Seagrave.

We have both Black and Gold Bamboo in stock and here are seven reasons why you should consider Bamboo:

1. Bamboo is a great plant to consider if you want to add a bit of colour variety to your Garden. Although its shoots start off as green, after a couple of years the shoot will turn to a jet black or golden brown depending upon the variety chosen. A great way to mix up the colours and add a bit of variety.
2. It is a giant grass so it therefore grows relatively quickly in relation to larger tree or foliage options, so it is a good option if you need to fill space in a relatively quick way.
3. Bamboo can be planted all year round and can reside in shade or sunlight. It is therefore a good plant to situate in small gardens that do not get all year round sunlight, or conversely in open space that will get a lot of sunlight.
4. It is a relatively sturdy plant, especially for a Grass, so again it can be situated in areas where other more sensitive foliage will not prosper.
5. Bamboo does not need as much attention as some alternatives when it is planted outside.
6. Bamboo can make a very good house plant that will grow nicely if looked after properly.
7. As Bamboo is a very robust and strong plant it is also ideal for planting for other uses, it can be used for fencing or flooring and is used in Asia in the construction industry.

So if you fancy trying out Bamboo, why not come along to our Nursery and speak to our experienced staff about the best option for you, or alternatively visit our website for more information.