planting
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Obsessions of a gardener
There are two obsessions that gardening induces; firstly the weather and most importantly your own garden taking over your thoughts and dreams. The weather Is it too cold, is the ground frozen or even warming up? Is it too wet, or too dry? Is it the right time to plant... -
Hedges, hedgerows and hedgelaying
Being a complete novice to hedgelaying, my son (Harry) and I signed up for a competition run by the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt in East Pennard, Somerset. The competition was divided into two classes, the open for the professionals and the novice for the amateur enthusiasts, we were most... -
New beginnings
There’s no escaping it, January is hardly fun packed. After the jollity and cosy indulgences of December, it hits us full on with its chill, dark days and its unreasonable demands to live life more mindfully, more healthily, less lazily. But it’s a brand new year, and – believe it... -
Falling for leaves
For me, November is a month of mixed emotions. I struggle with the shorter hours of daylight, and the prospect of those seemingly interminable months of bleakness to come. Don’t talk to me of hygge or cosying up by the fire. I want to be out there, inspired by the... -
Frequently Asked Questions at Ashridge Nurseries
We get many people enquiring about specific things at certain times of the year, and here are some of the most frequent ones and some helpful answers: Question 1: When will my order be delivered? Answer: Current deliveries for bare root plants should arrive by mid-November depending on what... -
Urban gardening: Softening transitions in your garden
Designers will often talk about ‘softening’ edges or marking transitions in your garden. A solid structure can often lead to harsh boundaries, right angles and edges. Well thought out planting will not only soften these edges but bring them alive, turning the edge to a key focal point in the garden.
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Create a winter wonderland
The low golden sun shining and sparkling on frosty hedges, branches and foliage is a wonder of the season, and is something to be truly celebrated.The lyrics to "In the bleak midwinter" don't offer the best encouragement for getting out in the garden. But with a few thoughtful planting choices you can be "Walking in a winter wonderland!"
Although you may not want to be out in the garden that much in the depths of winter, it is still important to provide yourself with enticing views from the house.
Most important are front gardens and pathways to your doors. These are places that - in rain, sleet and snow - you'll be passing through on a daily basis.
And it's where you welcome your visitors. These are places you want to feel proud of, and to get great enjoyment from, in all seasons.
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Choosing and planting potted hedging
Container-grown green beech and copper beech
on our nursery – just perfect for instant hedging!Container-grown hedging plants are perfect for planting all year round.
Generally speaking, hedging is put in the ground over winter, using young bareroot plants when they are dormant.
However, some circumstances call for a more instant, mature hedge – which is where container-grown (or potted) hedging plants play their part.
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How to get more fruit... faster!
Careful and judicious pruning creates room to grow,
and will deliver fuller, healthier fruits more quicklyOne of the joys of gardening is that patience is usually rewarded.
Plants increase in size and impact as time passes and fruit trees are no exception.
Understandably, however, an oft repeated question runs along the lines of "how do I get more fruit, more quickly?"
There are a number of golden rules in gardening but the most important of them all is summed up in "as ye sow so shall ye reap."
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Caring for bareroot plants in cold weather
When the ground is frozen, please don't plant your
bareroot trees, shrubs or hedges! They'll be much
happier staying bare and dormant...Most of the damage caused to bareroot plants in cold, freezing conditions is to the delicate roots themselves.
The roots are fine, fibrous structures with a high water content: moving them, or even the slightest touch whilst frozen, can cause damage.
Almost all of a shrub or a tree's energy reserves are stored in the roots during winter. So broken roots mean that stored energy is lost, and this reduces the plant’s ability to establish. And poor establishment means poor growth in spring.
Worse still, if root damage is serious, the plant may not grow at all.
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