Blog
Have a look through our Blog section to see if there are any articles which can help you. If you would like to suggest a topic to us through our contact page -all the better! – Thank you.
Blog
How Many Sweet Potatoes In A Pound?
February 4, 2021 Blog
What are sweet potatoes? The delicious sweet potato is a plant that belongs to the bindweed family. A root vegetable, oddly shaped and has a sweet tasting flesh. It is a starchy vegetable and has many health benefits. In many cultures the ...
Fiat Tractor Restoration: 1987 Fiatagri 90-90
December 28, 2020 Blog
In January 2020 I decided with much pushing from my eldest son Harry that we should buy our own 2wd Fiat tractor to help with soil preparation, sowing and harvesting of turnips (swedes). We previously used Ferguson TE20's or MF35x's owned by ...
How Long Do Sweet Potatoes Take To Grow?
December 28, 2020 Blog
Sweet potatoes like to be grown in warmer soil, unlike regular potatoes that prefer cool soil. This is because they are tropical plants, and can become sensitive to cold weather. The sweet potato is rich in an antioxidant called beta carotene ...
What Type Of Soil Do Rhododendrons Like?
December 28, 2020 Blog
Rhododendrons are native to Asia, North America, Australia and Europe. There are over 1,000 species of this plant and they are widely cultivated for their beautiful and fragrant flowers with ornamental leaves. Understanding what type of soil ...
How Often Should I Fertilize My Plants?
December 8, 2020 Blog
Even though from a distance it might seem super easy to take care of a plant baby, unfortunately they don’t cry or make a noise when they’re hungry or uncomfortable - which does happen!. A frequent question i'm asked is, how often should I ...
How Many Sweet Potatoes Grow From One Plant?
December 6, 2020 Blog
Sweet potatoes are definitely worth considering as part of your diet. They are packed with minerals, fibre, vitamins and phytonutrients which can improve your body and mind.You can use sweet potatoes boiled, baked or raw. They also can be used in ...
Preventing Weeds In Raised Beds
November 21, 2020 Blog
Weeds are really annoying, especially when you’ve been trying your best to make the most of your flower beds. It might feel impossible to get rid of weeds, but it can happen and you can do it with a few simple strategies. Growing flowers or ...
How Many Petunias Per Hanging Basket: The Facts
October 11, 2020 Blog
Container gardening is all the rage. You can liven up walls, fences and gates with beautiful trailing foliage and stunning blooms. And if you plan to add hanging baskets to your garden display this year, you can’t go wrong with petunias. These ...
When Is the Best Time To Plant Hostas?
October 11, 2020 Blog
Native to Northeast Asia, hostas have become popular with gardeners the world over. And everyone is asking: when is the best time to plant hostas? In this article, we’ll answer that question and many more! First of all, why hostas? Not only ...
What Can I Use Instead of Peat Moss: Great Alternatives
October 2, 2020 Blog
Using peat-free products in the home and garden is one of the simplest yet most effective ways that people can make a positive environmental impact and reduce their carbon footprint. For most uses in the garden, for example, pots, growbags, hanging ...
How Do Soil Microbes Affect Nutrients?
September 30, 2020 Blog
Microbes. Microscopic organisms that live absolutely everywhere on the planet – from the ocean floor to the highest levels of the atmosphere. And those that live in soil – as tiny as they are – can have a huge effect on your plants. In just a ...
Best Time to Cut Hedges Back: when and how
September 21, 2020 Blog
Hedges are one of the most common features in many prestigious and established neighborhoods. Because of their versatility – coming in a variety of sizes, shapes, and even species – they can fit beautifully into almost any landscape. But shaggy, ...
What Time of Year Do You Trim Box Hedges?
September 21, 2020 Blog
For hundreds of years, boxwood hedges have graced formal gardens in Europe and the Americas. Overall, these hardy shrubs require little upkeep. But they need proper trimming – at the proper time – in order to look their best! Not everyone knows how ...
How To Increase Potassium in Soil
September 10, 2020 Blog
Of all the “Big 3” soil ingredients, the least understood is definitely potassium. While the effect of potassium on plants is fairly clear - we can see that it improves how well a plant grows and produces - exactly why and how it works is not as ...
Is There A Difference Between Potting Soil And Topsoil?
September 6, 2020 Blog
It’s safe to say that a successful garden begins with good soil. And while you may think that dirt is just dirt, all soils aren’t created equal. What are the differences between the various types of soil and which is the best? The truth is that ...
Can I Reuse Old Potting Soil (And How To Do It)?
September 6, 2020 Blog
While snagging the last 2 bags of potting soil in the garden center, you begin to frantically calculate in your head. And no matter how you work it out, you’ll barely have half the soil you need for your plant containers? So what do you do now? ...
How Much Soil Is Needed For A Raised Bed?
August 30, 2020 Blog
Container gardening is become more and more popular. Planting in containers (that you can place on top of a stand or table) makes it easier to reach the plants without bending over and straining your back. And they’re not just for apartment ...
How To Improve Your Soil For Gardening
August 30, 2020 Blog
Raise your hand if you took up gardening during lockdown. For some people, growing their own fruit and vegetables guaranteed them fresh produce amid dwindling grocery store supplies. For others, gardening was a way to get outdoors for a little ...
How Do You Take Care Of A Potted Hibiscus Plant
August 18, 2020 Blog
In recent months, gardening has emerged as a leading pastime for many people in lockdown situations all over the world. For people living in urban areas with small garden areas, or those in apartments and condominiums whose only outdoor space is a ...
How Does Fertilizer Work On Grass: the basics
July 8, 2020 Blog
Homeowners and gardeners spend countless hours caring for their property and ensuring it appears its best at all times. It’s plain to see that nothing accessorizes your home and garden better than a lush and green lawn. Fertilizing your lawn is one ...
What Kind Of Soil Do I Have In My Area: description and photos
April 24, 2020 Blog
To achieve greatness in any sphere, you must start with – and master – the basics. Begin with the fundamentals, and build upon your foundation in order to succeed. It goes without saying that the foundation of any thriving garden is the soil – ...
How Is Soil Created: profiles and horizons explained
April 8, 2020 Blog
As anyone can tell you, a solid foundation is the key to success – whatever the endeavour. If you choose to build a house on a shoddy base of ragged stones and sand, you can’t possibly expect that home to stand as long as one built on a firm bed ...
Aphids On Roses: Identify + remove with home remedy
March 22, 2020 Blog
Spring is a fantastic time to be in the garden – everything around you is waking up and signs of new life can be seen everywhere. On your rose bushes, you may also be able to spy signs of life: tiny aphids clinging to the stems and undersides of ...
Stihl BGA85 Cordless Leaf Blower Review
March 15, 2020 Blog
Choosing from the hundreds of different outdoor equipment designs can be confusing and time consuming. If you have always cleaned or maintained your outdoor area by hand, then continuing this labour may seem easier than deciding on which make ...
How To Grow Leeks From Seed To Harvest
February 17, 2020 Blog
Leeks, sometimes referred to as the poor man’s asparagus, are members of the onion family that, instead of forming a bulb, form a long shank. Not only are these hearty vegetables easy to grow – they also provide lots of vitamins and minerals: C, A, ...
How Long Does It Take for Vegetable Seeds To Sprout
July 16, 2019 Blog
At the beginning of a new season, it is a great idea to consider what you can do to give your garden a head start. Doing this will often enable you to harvest more throughout the season as well as be able to harvest your produce earlier. One ...
How To Raise pH In Soil Fast: what to add
April 16, 2019 Blog
In chemistry, pH is a scale which ranges from 1 to 14 and is used to specify how acidic or alkaline a substance is. Acidic solutions have a lower pH number, while alkaline – or basic – solutions have a higher pH number. If the pH level is ...
How To Lower pH In Soil Fast: what to add and why
April 16, 2019 Blog
In chemistry, pH is a scale used to specify how acidic or alkaline a substance is. Acidic solutions have a lower pH, while alkaline – or basic – solutions have a higher pH. If the pH level is exactly 7, such as that of ...
What Is A Compost Tumbler: what do they do?
April 16, 2019 Blog
What is a compost tumbler?: A compost tumber is a rotating drum with a hatch or lid which is opened to empty your composting materials inside. The lid is then closed and you turn a handle which rotates the drum around. This mixes the contents of ...
Are Crab Apples Poisonous To Dogs?
April 13, 2019 Blog
These tiny, tart apples can be a healthy treat for dogs, if served properly. Though the flesh of the apple is safe, the leaves, stems and pips are all toxic to mammals – even humans, if they consume a large quantity. Are crab apples poisonous? ...
Best Secateurs for Small Hands
April 10, 2019 Blog
It is important when gardening to use the proper tools for the task at hand. And while any pair of heavy-duty kitchen scissors could handle basic yard work such as deadheading flowers, or pruning foliage, the best tool for the job is a great ...
How to Sharpen Garden Shears
April 10, 2019 Blog
It could be argued that a gardener is only as good as their tools – having the right tool for the job makes working in the garden less of an effort and infinitely more enjoyable. While some tools are specific to certain types of gardening and ...
How Can I Make My Soil More Fertile
April 7, 2019 Blog
More than any other factor, the fertility of your soil will impact the success of your garden. Whether you live in a new suburb or an old farming town, you may encounter infertile soil – and whatever is causing the soil infertility needs to ...
Best Tomato Varieties for a Greenhouse
March 25, 2019 Blog
There are few things more delicious than the taste of a ripe tomato – they are synonymous with summer, topping burgers and salads as well as making up lovely sauces and condiments like salsa and ketchup. But how do you select the best tomato ...
What Is A Composter: How do i use it?
March 25, 2019 Blog
All organic matter will decompose naturally sooner or later. Micro organisms – tiny living creatures invisible to the naked eye – feed on the decaying food, plant matter, and other organic materials and help transform it into a nutrient-rich soil ...
How to Dethatch a Lawn by Hand
March 17, 2019 Blog
It is no secret that homeowners all want the thickest, greenest lawn on the block. They seed it, spread fertilizer and pesticides, and water it regularly. They use chemical or organic methods to improve the health of their grass and keep it ...
How to Grow Tomatoes Using Hydroponics
March 14, 2019 Blog
The tomato grows from a plant native to the Americas, which although it was thought to be poisonous when introduced to Europe in the 17th century, eventually became wildly popular worldwide. Hydroponics were not in use in those days as we know ...
What Is The Role Of NPK In Plants
March 13, 2019 Blog
It’s no secret that gardeners all hope to achieve the highest yields. One of the surest methods to succeed is to start with a soil perfectly suited to the needs of the plant about to grow in it. But how do we achieve this? There are so many ...
Perlite Or Vermiculite For Vegetables
March 9, 2019 Blog
Every gardener hopes for the best possible result from their crops – and will seek out the best techniques and tricks to improve the yield of their garden. Recently, several soil additives and alternatives have become popular. But how to tell ...
Drought Tolerant Perennials That Bloom All Summer
March 9, 2019 Blog
When we think of drought-resistant plants, succulents and grasses come immediately to mind - and while these are beautiful, not every gardener wants a sea of greens and browns. Similarly, if we think of perennials, we envision wildflowers and ...
How To Use Perlite In Hydroponics
March 4, 2019 Blog
Though there are as many different gardeners as there are gardens in the world, there is a common thread binding them all. Every gardener hopes to raise the perfect specimen – countless hours have been spent inventing new tools and gadgets, and ...
What Is The Best Axe For Chopping Trees
March 4, 2019 Blog
One of the oldest tools known to humankind, the axe has been in use since the Stone Age. They have changed and evolved over the years, every successive generation of axe makers and wielders improving on what came before. Now, at least in the ...
How To Build A Concrete Block Pillar
February 27, 2019 Blog
In this article i will take you through the various steps required to show you how to build a concrete block pillar from start to finish. Positioning your pillars First thing you need to do is mark out the ground where you want your pillars ...
Best hatchet for bushcraft: how to choose
February 26, 2019 Blog
Many outdoors enthusiasts have a host of modern tools and gadgets they can use when preparing to go into the wilderness. Although many of these top survival tools include high tech modern equipment, speciality knives and GPS machines, one of the ...
Easiest flowers to grow in pots: and to maintain.
February 23, 2019 Blog
Flowers are ornamental plants used in designing landscapes, interiors and exterior areas of our houses. They add life and colour to our rooms and buildings and they also release oxygen and soothing smells. Many of us love flowers, we want them ...
How To Prune An Apple Tree In Winter
February 22, 2019 Blog
In this article we are going to talk about how to prune an apple tree in winter and what are the important steps to be followed and if there any issues to be aware of. Winter pruning apple trees It is important to carry out any pruning the ...
Caring for Coral Cactus: and how to graft your own
February 19, 2019 Blog
What do you call a cactus that isn’t a cactus? Answer - A Euphorbia Lactea. Sometimes known as the candelabra plant, the crested euphorbia, or the crested elkhorn, the coral cactus is actually a combination of two succulent varieties. The grafted ...
What Are Spider Plants Good For
February 19, 2019 Blog
Chlorophytumcomosum has many common names: Airplane plant, St. Bernard’s lily, Spider ivy, Ribbon plant, and Hen and chickens. But we know it best as the Spider plant – not because they attract or harbour spiders, but rather because of the way it ...
How To Cut Long Grass By Hand
February 19, 2019 Blog
This article is titled how to cut long grass by hand. It is an unusual title because in these modern times people usually use engine driven equipment for labour intensive tasks. If you have long grass and by long I mean more than a foot long, there ...
Explaining Hydroponics Systems
February 17, 2019 Blog
What are hydroponics? Simply put, hydroponics is a method of growing plants that uses a nutrient-rich, water-based solution instead of soil to support plant growth.The root system is placed in an inert medium – usually clay pellets, peat moss, ...
Best Outdoor Lighting For Salt Air: Which lights perform best in coastal areas?
February 9, 2019 Blog
If you live in coastal areas you will understand the importance of picking your outdoor fixtures carefully, as the salt air can cause havoc with standard grade outdoor fittings, leading to premature rusting and failure. The best outdoor lights for ...
Epsom Salt Lawn Tonic
February 7, 2019 Blog
Though it may not seem like it right now, spring is just around the corner. And homeowners everywhere will be looking for a tried-and-true method for a greener, healthier lawn – fast. Epsom salt is a well-known home remedy – used for soaking sore ...
Best Mosquito Repellent For Camping: Which to choose and why
February 7, 2019 Blog
Mosquitos are the worlds most dangerous animal with a reported 700,000 deaths each year. Although it is not the insect which kills you rather it is the infection it carries - with Malaria counting for 400,000 of these deaths. For the majority of ...
Can You Eat Crabapples?
February 6, 2019 Blog
Yes you can eat crabapples, although they have a very sharp, bitter taste if you were to eat them raw and if you ate too many of them they would cause you to have an upset stomach, but they would not poison you. Cooking Crabapples are best ...
Wind Powered Water Pump For Pond: land drainage
February 4, 2019 Blog
Windmill water pumps, which is actually an incorrect term for them - A "windmill" is something which harnesses the power of the wind to drive a grain mill. The correct term is a "windpump". although we tend to get call anything which has blades ...
What Is Perlite Made Of: When and how to use it
February 4, 2019 Blog
You will have seen perlite when you open up a bag of compost, all the little white specks mixed throughout the compost are pieces of perlite. In this article you will find out what perlite is made from, how, why and where you should use it in your ...
Can You Freeze Fresh Parsley: sowing to harvest
January 20, 2019 Blog
Learn how to grow parsley in this informative and easy to read post all about parsley. Parsley is a beautiful herb which really excels when pulled fresh from the plant- but can you freeze fresh parsley? Read on to find out more about how you can ...
Problems With Growing Cauliflower: the correct method of growing
January 14, 2019 Blog
Mark Twain once said that cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education! Thankfully, a college education is not required for growing your own cauliflower at home, but are you aware of problems with growing cauliflower? This cool ...
How To Landscape My Backyard On A Budget
January 6, 2019 Blog
This house is built on sloping ground- the foundations were dug into the hillside. This means at one side the land is higher at the top and lower at the bottom. Where the front lawn meets the sloping ground at the side there is a sharp fall, I ...
Concrete Block Piers Foundations: how to build
January 2, 2019 Blog
Dig out the hole 6 inches 15cm wider than the outside side of the pillar you want to build. It should be 2 to 3 feet/ 60cm to 100cm deep depending on how soft your ground is - the softer the ground the deeper you'll need to go to hit hard ground. ...
What Time of Year Do Mushrooms Grow
December 22, 2018 Blog
Adding just a fist-sized portion (100g) of mushrooms to your diet can provide a laundry list of important vitamins and minerals – they are a natural source of protein and vitamin D, and contain many B vitamins such as niacin and riboflavin, as well ...
How To Hang A Field Gate
December 16, 2018 Blog
In this article i will describe to you how to hang a field gate from start to finish. Setting the gateposts width Measure the length of the gate you want to hang. Add 6 inches 150mm to the gate length (4" 100mm for the gate hanger brackets ...
What Causes Powdery Mildew On Plants
December 7, 2018 Blog
One of the most common issues faced by gardeners – hobbyists and professionals alike – is powdery mildew. This disease is easily recognized by its namesake powdery residue.Most commonly found on young leaves and shoots, powdery mildew is not ...
Type of Greenhouses
November 27, 2018 Blog
There’s nothing more satisfying than eating fruit and vegetables you’ve grown yourself. Yet, in most climates, it’s too cold for plants to grow outdoors for much of the year. Luckily for gardeners, nowadays many greenhouses are quite affordable and ...
Garage Floor Paint vs Epoxy
September 20, 2018 Blog
The title of this article means more to me than to most people, because I have learned the hard way, the difference between ordinary floor paint and epoxy resin floor paint. I have an insulated room which I wanted to have a wash clean floor in. ...
Pea Plant Growth Stages: how do peas grow and what to do with them.
September 9, 2018 Blog
Peas are one of the first things I like to plant in early spring. They love to germinate in cool temperatures, and can handle being planted as early as a month before the final frost date for your area. They don’t like to be transplanted, as the ...
Cutting Back Overgrown Hedges
September 6, 2018 Blog
Having a nice looking hedge around your home or garden is something everyone enjoys. Studies have shown that homes with plenty of green space nearby provides a positive mental boost to those who live in the home. I have a yew hedge at the ...
Why Is My Yew Hedge Not Growing Properly
July 28, 2018 Blog
Yew plants require deep, well aerated, drained and fertile soil to grow and thrive in. It will not matter if the yew is being planted to be a tree or as part of a hedge, if you do not provide these conditions you may end up with a yew hedge that is ...
How Long Do Turnips Take To Grow: sow to harvest
July 3, 2018 Blog
In this article i will be covering how to grow Turnips (and Swedes), how long do turnips take to grow and how to nurture them through the early (risky) period and the pests and diseases you may encounter along the way. Turnips Turnips and ...
Why Do Slugs Come In The House: how to repel them
July 2, 2018 Blog
It is only when you have your garden looking really good and things are growing well that you start to notice how much of a pest slugs and snails can be. When I am asked how to keep slugs and snails out of my house or out of a garden, the first ...
How To Dig Up A Flower Bed
June 28, 2018 Blog
In this article we look at the different ways you can go about digging up a flower bed. We cover what to do if you have an existing flower bed with plants already growing in it and if you don't have an existing flower bed how to go about creating ...
How To Edge A Lawn By Hand
May 5, 2018 Blog
Edging your lawn has to one of the most high impact jobs to improve the appearance of your property. It really does catch peoples eye and gives your home a tidy appearance. Learn how today in this great article, how to edge a lawn by hand. ...
Best Chemical For Driveway Cleaning
May 4, 2018 Blog
The topic of best chemical for cleaning my driveway is one which is brought up many times. If you have spent a lot of time mowing, edging your lawn and planting beautiful flowerbeds it would be a shame to have an unsightly driveway let you down. ...
How To Get Rid of Leaves Without Raking
May 4, 2018 Blog
In this article I will look at how to get rid of leaves without raking, using other implements rather than using the traditional hand rake. Why bother to lift the leaves from your lawn? It is a good idea to lift the leaves from your lawn because if ...
How To Keep Grass Green Year Round
May 1, 2018 Blog
We find there are a number of key areas which need to be covered if you're not sure how to keep your lawn looking its best. Drainage First we need to look at drainage- is the land well drained?, is the soil type free draining or heavy ...
How To Make Stripes In Yard: visually transform your lawn
April 30, 2018 Blog
The main secret of how to make stripes in yard and improving the visual impact of your lawn is having a lawnmower with a heavy roller behind the cutting blade. It is this rolling of the grass in one direction and then rolling the next stripe in the ...