Time for a staycation

It has been a busy couple of weeks. We've completed projects such as fencing, a path (in Bettws, Newport), landscaping and a bit of fencing (in Llanyravon, Cwmbran) and hedge cutting in Pontypool (where we saved a swift) as well as keeping our regular customers gardens neat and tidy. It has been hard going at times in the heat, especially when we're working in a 'sun trap'. But we’ve managed it!

We've had a healthy increase in calls for quotes, so this should help towards keeping us busy for the rest of the summer. But if you're interested in having some work done give us a ring, long hours are part and parcel of this line of work.

For those of you staying in Britain for the summer holidays, good on you! We have beautiful countryside and beaches to enjoy. We had a day out at the Wales National Air Show in Swansea recently, it was amazing to watch the red arrows, the RAF are a crazy bunch! This year we expect an increase in the number of people enjoying their own back gardens so make the most of your outdoor space. We are available to chat to you about ideas and solutions for you. This could include arranging a suitable area for the kid’s paddling pool, seating areas, play areas or just generally making better use of the space you have no matter how big or small.

We've also been in contact with City Wildlife again recently. We found a swift being tortured by a cat, so thanks to them the swift is now in safe hands.

This week’s tip is simply a reminder for watering. Please wait until it is shady to avoid scorching. There is no threat of a hose pipe ban as our water levels are good due to the wet year we had last year. Water everything daily to keep your plants healthy, this will help to limit the effects of pests and diseases as your plants will be under less stress - remember the grass too!

My favourites this week are the 'Agapanthus', 'Osteospermum' and 'Sweet peas' what's yours?

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Sun, Sand and Sunshine

I can’t believe it is July already! I’ve seen the weather for this week and it looks like it’s going to be quite warm. So enjoy being outdoors and please enjoy your garden, that’s what it’s there for! This time of year, if you’re not much of a gardener yourself, things can start to look a little over grown. We can help with that. As well as the regular garden maintenance service that we provide our customers, we also undertake one off garden tidy ups. We can make things manageable again for you, so you can still make the most of this summer.

July is a great month for Foxgloves, Lavender, Sunflowers, Roses, Lily of the valley and mock orange to name but a few, there are loads to choose from so take a trip to your local garden centre. If you like to prepare, then you might consider planting ready for next month too.

Since the last blog, Richard has been busy with garden maintenance, hedge cutting, landscaping and sorting out weed control. Weed control, includes removing weeds, using weed killers or using a mypex weed control membrane. All of these have their uses but i’d say the best thing to do, is just keep pulling them out before they take over, unless you specifically want to landscape an area.

This weekend Summer and I took a trip to the beach with some good friends. We had great fun running in and out of the sea as the waves chased us. It wasn’t so much fun when Summer got sand in her eye. However, ice cream soon fixed that! If you are off to the beach you might collect a few shells and stones along the way, which you can then integrate into your garden, if you’d like to run with the seaside theme. Perhaps you could use them to decorate some pots. Or you could arrange them with tall grasses, the African lily, heathers, red valerian and ornamental thistles. Or you could integrate them into your garden path for a chance to be artistic, although you may need a far few to do this!

The tip for this week:

Look after your roses. If you spot green or black fly on your roses give them a squirt with water and a bit of washing up liquid. The blast of water will knock them off, keep on top of this to keep them at bay. If your rose bushes have any black or yellow spotted leaves, remove them and bin them to avoid the spread of disease. Snip off dead rose heads to prolong flowering and give them plenty of water, roses are thirsty!

My favourites this week, the welsh poppy, delphiniums, rambling rose and wild geranium.

Consider your garden well watered

Yes, we all know it’s been raining. It’s such a disappointment in June, when it persists the way it has this week.  Just imagine, you’re sat out in the garden with friends and family of an evening. Some music is playing gently in the background, the tea lights are lit and hang in their coloured glass holders in the trees. You’ve enjoyed a glass of wine or two and that soft, warm summer breeze drifts across your face. Feeling relaxed? I can dream! So, this week I’ve been making plans for my own pergola, with a roof! I think something like this is essential for all garden lovers in this country, or of course you could always go for the more traditional summer house. But for me the pergola will suit just fine, I will sit out and listen to the pitter patter raindrops whilst reading my book. I'll warm things up a bit as I watch the flames dance in the chiminea and i'll listen to the birds singing. I WILL enjoy this year’s summer evenings, even if it pours!

Has that given you some ideas for your own garden? It’s all about making the most of the space you have, we can help you to do that. If you want to chat about ideas just drop us a line or give us a call and we’ll see how we can help.

This week, despite the rain, Richard has been busy with garden maintenance (as usual) and he’s also been doing a fair bit of hedge cutting. Now that everything has had a good watering, it’s all shot up. And that’s what you can expect, especially for your grass. It’s best to cut it regularly, preferably once a week at this time of year. After cutting, apply a granular weed and feed in order to avoid weeds taking over. If we do get a dry spell, make sure you water your lawn in the evening to keep it looking tip top!

I am hopeful for next week as it seems the temperatures are set to improve slightly. So, stay happy and have a great week. And a big ‘Happy Father’s Day’ to all those fab, hard working Dads out there.