Gardening for all ages

You may have read our previous blogs about why gardening is good for your health, or why children should get into gardening, but can everyone really enjoy gardening?In a word: YES! The passion to garden can come to someone at any time in life and for many reasons. There are numerous ways for you to express your green fingers! Whether you plant flowers, or grow vegetables and fruit bushes – you can let your imagination run wild in your garden.

If you have children, it's never too early to teach them the benefits of gardening. Gardening teaches them to appreciate and have respect for the Earth. They can learn about plant varieties and enjoy being outside for fresh air and exercise.
By the same token, retirement can be a fabulous time to take up gardening. Many people may be highly anticipating their retirement, and welcome at the end of their 9-5, but others can also dread the long periods of time without something worthwhile do to.

Having huge amounts of free time can be liberating for a while, but often it becomes overwhelming for retirees. If you want something meaningful and joyous to fill some of your free time the gardening really is a fantastic option. You may want to become a part-time gardener at home, or join your local horticulture club or community garden.

No matter the type of garden you choose to tend, gardening is wonderful for everyone for anyone who chooses to pursue the hobby. If you love gardening, or want to get into gardening then you have to take a look around our website, and if you have any questions or would like any advice you can call us on – 01509 621300!

Why gardening is good for your health

You may have gathered that here at Seagrave we love gardening, and frankly it's a good thing! Gardening is a hobby that can actually improve your physical health and mental wellbeing...

Lowers your blood pressure

Just 30 minutes of moderate-level physical activity a few times a week can prevent and control high blood pressure. In fact, gardening scored a place on The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's recommendation list for lowering high blood pressure!

It burns calories

Those of you who already spent you spare time tending to your gardens will be delighted to hear that gardening is considered a moderate- to high-intensity exercise. Apparently you can burn up to 330 calories during just one hour of light gardening work, which is more than lifting weights for the same amount of time!

Strengthens your immune system

While you're outdoors enjoying burning all those calories, you'll also soak up plenty of vitamin D from the sun, which helps the body absorb calcium. In turn, calcium helps keep your bones grow strong and your immune system healthy – what a bonus!

Relieves stress and makes you happy

Gardening is taken up by so many people who want to calm down, relax and unwind – it’s a wonderfully productive (and cheap) way to forget about the world. There is also research into the emotional impact of being around flowers. We don’t know why, but we smile when we’re around flowers and plants, and according to research, gardening can have positive effects on your mood.

Here at Seagrave Nurseries, we are dedicated to supplying plants for people who do not want to pay garden centre prices. 

If you love gardening then you have to take a look around our website, and if you have any questions or would like any advice please call us on – 01509 621300

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Rain Gardens: What are they?

A rain garden is a brilliant way to add beauty and eco-friendly benefits to your garden. The concept is simple - strategically placed plants help to absorb excess rainwater before it can flow off and dirty our rivers and streams as storm water run-off.

In its simplest form, a rain garden is a shallow ‘basin’, with absorbent and free draining soil and vegetation that can withstand occasional temporary flooding. Rain gardens are designed to imitate the natural water retention of undeveloped land and to reduce the volume of rainwater running off into drains from impervious areas and treat low level pollution.

Everyone can help address the impact of climate change without making major lifestyle changes, and one simple and easy way is by changing the way you manage your outside space. A rain garden can help to reduce localised flooding whilst still providing an enjoyable area for the benefit of both wildlife and you and your friends and family.

 Providing rain gardens is part of a growing desire to have more sustainable drainage systems. Water is a vital resource for people and wildlife. In the UK we expect to have enough water to meet our needs - having water readily available is something we often take for granted.

Just one rain garden can make a small but positive difference in addressing localised flooding and the quality of the local water environment. Alongside other sustainable drainage systems and actions to tackle diffuse pollution, rain gardens can be an effective part of a bigger solution.

First developed in the USA in the 1990s, Rain gardens have become increasingly popular. Rain gardens aim to absorb all the rainwater that flows into them. If you are interested in transforming your outdoor space into a rain garden, you can find a very useful guide here.

Here at Seagrave we supply hardy architectural specimen plants for people who do not want to pay garden centre prices. Make sure you come to us for all your garden needs. 

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.