Turn, turn, turn

Here's a useful tip for keeping houseplants healthy. It was only today we were reminded about it after a customer enquired why one of their plants was starting to shed leaves at the back whilst the front was thriving.
Simply by rotating the pot quarter of a turn every time you water means that over time the whole plant is full exposed to the light. That way you can expect to see a healthy plant and good even growth across the year.

Escaping the Garden!

With summer holiday time here and gardens which seem to demand every spare hour of the day getting away is easier said than done. But never fear here's a short guide on how to keep the garden going whilst you're away.

Patio plants can be moved into the shade meaning they will need less watering. Also being in close proximity to each other the moisture they let off will be aborbed by the other plants in the cluster. Whilst you will still need a kindly neighbour to water this might be only twice a week as opposed to every day. You can also help by putting smaller pots on capilliary matting similar to that used for house plants.

Before you holiday weed out flower beds and borders to make sure these critters don't seed whilst you're away and create months of hard work trying to get eliminate them. Once you're done water hard and then cover any bare soil with an organic mulch to capture moisture and prevent any further weeds. Generally speaking this means you won't have to water for up to 2-3 weeks unless it drought like conditions or you have young plants that haven't quite developed strong roots.

Hanging baskets are still a problem if you're away for some time and getting a neighbour to give the plants a drink every 2-3 days will still be needed. You can further help things by covering the soil with an absorbing gel so it cuts down on the need to water daily. The gel will slowly release water and also gather up a future supply when it rains.

A fantastic July in the Conwy Valley

If you are considering getting in the car and coming down for a summer visit, July is a fabulous month for special events and activities in the Conwy Valley. Why not call and see us at the nursery whilst enjoying a memorable day out for all the family too? Here's some of the many highlights in store with many at the beautiful Bodnant Garden.

http://www.bodnant-garden.co.uk/

• 4th July - Conwy Valley Vehicle Rally: Llanrwst to Llandudno. 11am. (01492 640640). Assembly and judging at Glasdir, Plas yn Dre, Llanrwst at 11.00am. Depart Llanrwst at 1.30pm.
• 7th July - Head Gardener´s Walk: Bodnant Garden, 10am. (01492 650460). Tour the Garden with Troy Smith, Head Gardener. £8, booking required.
• 10th July - Opera Classics Evening: Bodnant Garden, 7pm. (01492 650460). DivaDivo, a glamorous soprano-tenor duo, will sing popular classical arias, songs and duets. Bring a picnic (no barbeques), folding chairs or rugs, and enjoy an evening of quality music on the Front Lawn. Adult £11, Child £9, booking advisable.
• 17th July - National Garden Scheme Day: Bodnant Garden. (01492 650460). Helping support the work of the NGS - all entrance fees taken today will be donated to NGS.
• 20th July - Gardening Demonstration - ‘Yearly turf care’.Bodnant Garden, 10.30am. (01492 650460). £12, booking required.
• 24th July - Jazz Evening: Bodnant Garden, 7pm (gates open 6pm). (01492 650460). Love jazz? Then bring your picnic (no barbeques), folding chairs or rugs for an evening of rousing music. Adult £11, Child £9, booking advisable.
• 28th July - Falconry Day: Bodnant Garden, 11-4pm. (01492 650460). Popular Falconers and their fabulous birds of prey will return. Birds on display all day, Flying displays at 1.30 and 3.30.

Do your bit for biodiversity

This year the RHS is supporting the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity by encouraging gardeners across the UK to join with the Variety for Life campaign.

If you are one of the first 1,000 to sign up each day* over a 10 day period (from 8 June) they will send you a FREE RHS Variety for Life pack. The pack is full of ideas of how you can help support biodiversity as well as two free packets of seeds that have been specially selected to encourage wildlife into the garden.

When you sign up they will also add your name to the monthly Wild About Gardens e-newsletter - written by RHS and Wildlife Trusts experts.

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Sustainable-gardening/Variety-for-Life-Campaign

Caring for hanging baskets

It's officially the 'hanging basket' season now the threat of the extended cold weather has gone. And who better to help you with some impressive displays than the Betws-y-Coed Garden Nursery. But how do you keep those baskets looking stunning right across the summer months?
The first and most important rule is making sure your baskets get plenty of water and never dry out. It might seem obvious but you will be amazed how quickly water evaporates during the day. During the early summer months the baskets will need watering daily (preferably when the sun is low) and in the summer twice a day. If your baskets dry out fill your sink and give them a dunk for a few hours, then drain them for excess water before hanging them back outside. Many of the baskets we make come complete with slow release fertilizer added to the soil but towards the end of the season you can add some feed yourself or a spot of Baby Bio which really brings out vivid colour. Always be sparing with feed and always read the label. Never be afraid to dead head your baskets and remove older flowers which have died, withered or faded. This keeps them looking great and makes room for new growth and bedding which develops later in the season.