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Garden Jobs For May

Fri, 08 May 2026 08:13:26 GMT

Jobs In The Garden For May

May can be a busy month in the garden so here are a few jobs that need to be done in
May
• Harden off plants raised in doors through the day and bringing on an evening.
• Pinch out shoots on fuchsias to encourage them to get bushier.
• Plant up tubs and baskets and grow on in greenhouse for a few weeks to grow on.
• Prune spring flowering shrubs like forsythia after flowering.
• Tie new shoots on climbers such as Wisteria, Clematis and Honeysuckle.
• Earth up potatoes covering the shoots with soil as they appear.
• Pick rhubarb stems as they develop.
• Remove all the runners of strawberry plants so they put energy in to fruiting.
• Time to transplant tomatoes in to grow bags.
• Take cuttings of woody herbs such as Rosemary, Thyme and Hyssop.
• Remove faded spring bedding like wallflowers and forget me nots.
• Once risk of frost has passed put out tubs and hanging baskets.
• Keep fleece on hand to protect young seedling in case of a frost.
Just a few jobs for May happy gardening.

May Shrubbery update

Fri, 08 May 2026 08:08:39 GMT

May shrubbery update

Hello back again that’s the first busy bank holiday out of the way for may the weather seems to have taken a little bit of a turn. We have had some wonderful plants in since my last post, including Acers many varieties in various sizes and prices, also grasses and the ever-popular Hydrangeas again in various sizes. Although most of our plants are in 2ltr & 3ltr size pots. At this time of year, we have a good selection in 5ltr and upwards to give your garden a bit more of an instant impact

Enjoy your gardening

Ian

How to Control Blanketweed

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:05:40 GMT

How to Control Blanketweed

How To Control Blanketweed

Now the days are getting longer, and the pond water is starting to warm up, life in the pond is starting to begin plants growing fish starting to feed, and insects and tadpoles appearing in the pond.

But that can mean the start of the dreaded blanketweed.

With the best efforts of the pond keeper most pond will be affected with blanketweed at some point, Blanketweed can grow in the cleanest of ponds.

So why does blanketweed reappear in spring

· Days become longer

· Water temps start to rise

· More sun light

· Pond plants have not yet begun to grow

All these combinations allow the growth of blanketweed starting on the sides of the pond, rocks and plant stems which act as an anchor for the algae to grow.

If left unattended blanket weed can cause some several issues in a pond

· Blocking pumps and filters

· Sturgeon and Sterlets may become tangled in it

· Through the night blanket weed consumes valuable oxygen which can lead to very low oxygen levels in summer.

So, it is important to get on top of blanket weed as soon as it starts to appear.

How to remove blanketweed safely

Start tackling blanketweed by removing as much as possible by hand from the pond using a stick, net or blanketweed brush, but don’t depose of it straight away leave it at the side of the pond for any insects and invertebrates to return to the pond after a few days dispose of the algae.

Once you have removed the bulk of the blanketweed you can treat the pond to help prevent it from returning.

· Blanketweed treatments

· Barley straw (for a natural approach)

As the treatment takes effect, you will need to remove any dead organic matter and add a sludge remover to help with the cleaning prosses. Some ponds that are well planted will only need one treatment, whereas others will need regular maintenance throughout the year.

Preventing Blanketweed

There are a few steps that can be taken to help reduce the growth of blanketweed in the pond.

· Adding more aquatic plants to compete for nutrients and cover the pond surface blocking light.

· Clean filters regular using pond water don’t use tap water.

· Avoid over stocking with fish.

· Remove silt from the bottom of the pond

· Don’t over feed fish to reduce waste

So, with spring well on the way now is the time to act on blanketweed for healthier cleaner pond to keep your fish happy and you can enjoy your pond with out the nuisance that is BLANKETWEED.

Plant of the Month April

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:35:52 GMT

Dicentra Spectabilis

Bleeding Heart & Alba

The Asian Bleeding Heart grows to 120cm tall and around 45cm wide. It is an herbaceous perennial with 3 lobed compact leaves on a fleshy green, pink stem. The arching horizontal flower spikes of up to 20 flowers are a bright fuchsia pink while the inners are white (Bleeding Heart), and all white on the Alba. The flower resembles a heart hence the common name of bleeding heart.

Plant a bleeding heart in partial shade and rich, well-drained soil. you can plant the bleeding heart as a bare root so the crown is 1 to 2" below the soil if planted to deep the crown may rot. Or plant as a fully cultivated plant the delicate flowers will need protection from the wind so put in a sheltered spot.

Dicentra is an ideal plant for in a woodland garden.

Dicentra is an excellent pollinator particularly for the early season Bees love its nectar rich flowers and are a vital food source in a shaded garden.

Excellent companion plants include shade-loving perennials like hostas, ferns, astilbe, pulmonaria, and Heuchera which fill in the space when dicentra goes dormant in summer.

Create a garden for pollinators

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:06:58 GMT

Create a garden for pollinators

Sat in your garden on a nice sunny day watching the Bees & butterflies go about their business is a wonderful thing, so to help them stay around in your garden, plant perennials and shrubs to attract them.

Butterflies: butterflies may look like there just flying around your garden, but they are looking for their next meal, adult butterflies really on flower nectar to live and feed constantly. They like to dine in the sun, and they prefer flat top flowers such as (Zinnias, Corn flowers, Cosmas & phlox) are just a few. Provide a small stack of stones in a sunny position for a warm place to rest and a shallow saucer of water for a place to grab a drink.

Bees: Bees are a very important pollinator to visit our gardens as one of the primary pollinators they boost fruit & veg yields and increase biodiversity, allow plants to reproduce.

To encourage Bees into the garden plant a range of nectar rich flower form early spring to late summer like (Primroses, foxgloves, alliums & Sunflowers) are just a few of the plants you can plant.

Create log, piles bare earth or even a bee hotel as nesting sites and ensure there is a shallow source of water with stones in to prevent drowning.

A list of sutable plants: Allium, Aster, Azalea, Buddleia, Cosmos, Dahlia, Coneflower, Hibiscus, Lavender, Liatris, Lobelia, Phlox, Salvia, Sunflower,Verbena & Zinnia

April Shrubery Update

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:35:34 GMT

April Shrubery Update

Shrubery update:

Well this is the second time i am writing this in sunny dry weather, Long may it continue.

We are well stocked in the department and everything is looking really well, as it should be at this time of year.

As i have said in my past updates if you need any help when you are on the garden centre please ask for either Ian or Stephen.

You will notice this time of year we have a large amount of mature stock and if you see some thing you require but we do not have enough stock we can normally order some more of the stock within a week.

A good percentage of plants in general are bought on impulse but spend a little more time looking at our range in general for something a little diffrent.

lets hope the weather gets a little more conistent so we can spend more time in our gardens.

On a final note the team in the shrubery department with you a happy easter and happy gardening.

Ian

Gardening Jobs For April

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:58:12 GMT

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· Deadhead daffodils and other spring bulbs when flowers are done but leave the leaves to die back naturally. This will help the blub store energy for next year’s flowers. You could also give the leaves a spray with liquid fertiliser.

· Tidy up borders and beds removing ant weeds as these will take nutrients and moisture out of the soil.

· Feed roses and shrubs with a general fertiliser to give them a good start. Check for signs of mildew and black spot and treat appropriately.

· In the green house pinch out tips on fuchsia plants and sweet peas to encourage plats to get bushy.

· If not already done so give your greenhouse a good clean to get rid of any harbouring pests

· Time to think about the lawn repair any patches and if wanting a new lawn now is the time to lay turf.

· Prune hydrangeas cutting back the old stems to a healthy shoot lower down..

Plants for Repelling Slugs

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:24:17 GMT

Plants For Repelling Slugs

Plants that are great for repelling slugs are strong cented herbs such as (Lavender, Mint, Sage or Rosemary) are just a few. Plants with a tough and textured foliage such as (Ferns, Euphorbia, Geraniums or Geum) are just a few.

Protect your plants and garden by creating unpleasent sensory barriers of unappeling food sources.

Top Slug Repellent Pants

Aromatic Herbs: Lavender, Rosemary, Sage, Oregano, Mint, Curry plant & Lemon Blam.
Alliums: Garlic, Chives, Onions & Ornimental Alliums.
Tough & Hairy Plants: Hardy Geraniums (cranesbill), Ferns, Sedum, Geum, Heuchera & Ephorbia.
Perennials & Shrubs: Hydrangea, Aquilegia, Foxgloves, Campanula, Diathus, Fuchsia, Salvia.

Key Characeristics

Scent: Slugs avoid strong aromatic scented plants.
Textures: Tought, leathery, spiky or hairy foliage are uncomfortable for slugs to traverse or eat.
Resillience: These plants rarely require chemical intervention to thrive.

Planting For Protection

Barrier planting: Plant pungent herbs like Rosemary or lavender around the borders of the garden to creat a scented and aromatic barrier.
Planting Between: Place resilient rough-leaved plant (like foxgloves) inbetween susceptible plants to deter pests.
Groundcover: Use hairy groundcovers like hardy geraniums to prevent slugs from navigating underplantings.

Ian

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 12:49:01 GMT

March Shrubbery update

Well as i wrote this last time, i sat looking at the rain and wind thinking when are we going to get some better weather. Well, the last few days have been just what we needed some spring like weather, our customers have been back in the garden centre looking round, planning and buying a large range of plants.

We have had quit a bit of stock

arrive this week, so now the plant range should change weekly as we head into spring.

Next week we have some Italian

stock arriving a range of all sizes but certainly more mature plants, has i

have said before we use a great range of plant specialist growers in the uk. We

get as many plants as possible from the uk including our climbers, conifers

& many other shrubs. We also so get stock from within Europe through our Dutch

suppliers.

Things are starting to look

good now in the shrubbery even the deciduous stock is now coming into leaf as

we go forward into the spring season.

Enjoy your gardening and let’s

hope the better weather continues.

Ian

What is the diffrence between composts

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 12:59:09 GMT

Guide to compost and its different uses

So your are starting out in gardening, it can be a challenge when confronted with all the different types of compost and which one to use with which plant. So we have put together a general guide for the uses and types of compost and there uses.

Multi Pourpose Compost

The most popluar compost you will find in garden centres, it is suitable for a multiude of potting jobs e.g sowing seeds, taking cuttings, planting tubs and baskets and in the borders. Some may require less water due to a water holding agents added, so check the lable to see if it is what you require

Ericaceous Compost

Ericaceous compost is for plants that need an acidic soil such as Rhododendron, Azaleas,Camellia & Pieris just a few to mention. This compost typically has a lower ph making it suitable for the development and growth of these types of plants.

John Innes Compost

John innes compost is great for creating a rich healthy growing medium for plants, john innes composts are formulated to use reduce peat use so making them a great alternative to peat based composts, john innes compost comes as seed, no1, no2 & no3 all differing in feed content for differing stages in growth.

Growbags

A grow bag is a portable, flexible container typically from plastic filled with a potting mix, designed for growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Ideal for small spaces like patios or balconies, they provide good drainage, aeration, and prevent root circling, promoting healthier plant growth compared to traditional pots.

Pond Jobs For March

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:08:18 GMT

Spring clean-up : remove any dead foliage and debris from the pond and surrounding areas
Water Testing : check water parameters. If the water has ammonia or Nitrite/ Phosphate issues remove any rotting organic matter and perform partial water changes.
Clean and service pond equipment: clean pumps and filters, replace filter media and pads as needed and change the uv lamps.
Watch out for Blanket weed: growth of blanket weed may start due to the rise in pond temperature and increase in daylight. Excess nutrients can also help blanket weed grow.
Check Fish Health: watch for signs of illness as the water temp rises treat as soon as signs show.
Feeding Fish: now the water temp is rising feed wheatgerm and slowly move over on to higher protein diets as the days get warmer.
Plant for March: marsh marigold will bring striking golden flowers signalling the beginning of spring in the pond.

Benefits of a Aquarium in your home

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:50:09 GMT

Here are some of the benefits

Reducing stress and anxiety : watching fish swim and interact in your aquarium can be incredibly calming and have a positive effect on mental health.
Helps lower blood presure : in addition to reducing stress
Helps with insomnia : watching fish before bed can help relax you.
Helps improve your mood : watching fish swim and interact in the aquarium is calming and relaxing witch helps improve your mood
Teaches responsibility : Aquariums are a great Educational tool, low-maintenance learning tools for children, teaching them about responsibility, and the natural underwater world.
Environmental & Aesthetic Appeal : Tanks act as living, dynamic décor, bringing nature indoors and improving the aesthetics of a home or workplace.

February update

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:39:51 GMT

Ian's Shrubbery update

Welcome back to the shrubbery update.

I wish i was writing this with the sun shining and dryer weather outside but im sure that will happen soon. Spring is around the conner .

We have a great selection and variety of roses also stock in genral will be arriving in the garden centre from mid February. We are also making new displays in the shrubbery area ready for the new season , so the benches will be filling up soon.

In february look out for Camellias in flower, Sarcococa and skimmias.

Thinking of spring we also have ribes flowering currant, Forsythia and spirea arguttta in stock as well as other popular shrubs varieties.

Once the sun finally does shine and the weather improves i will be giving more frequent updates as to what is in stock in the shrubbery.

looking forward to seeing you all at Hampsons Plantworld where the shrubbery team will be there to help you with any queries or advise if required.

Ian

eff74fdd

Garden Jobs For May

Jobs In The Garden For May

May Shrubbery update

May shrubbery update

How to Control Blanketweed

How to Control Blanketweed

Plant of the Month April

Dicentra Spectabilis

Bleeding Heart & Alba

Create a garden for pollinators

Create a garden for pollinators

April Shrubery Update

April Shrubery Update

Gardening Jobs For April

This is a subtitle for your new post

Plants for Repelling Slugs

Plants For Repelling Slugs ﻿

Ian

March Shrubbery update

What is the diffrence between composts

Guide to compost and its different uses

Multi Pourpose Compost

Ericaceous Compost

John Innes Compost

Growbags

Pond Jobs For March

Benefits of a Aquarium in your home

February update

Ian's Shrubbery update

Plants For Repelling Slugs