If you do a lot of woodworking you will inevitably be left with a lot of sawdust and maybe thinking of useful ways to reuse that sawdust. We would all rather reuse something if it can be used well for another purpose, but can you use sawdust as mulch? Well, that depends, on a few things. Firstly on the wood that the sawdust itself has come from. Different woods will have different pH levels, thus…
If you have just started looking into your screening options then you will have undoubtedly been overwhelmed by all the different options out there. Luckily for you, I have gathered together my favourite garden screening ideas into this one complete article so you can find the ultimate solution for your individual privacy needs. Quick Growing Trees The all-time popular choice, a screen created from trees. Seen as though you are here though I will guess…
Lupinus Perennis This traditional cottage garden favourite is a beautiful flower that you will find in many British gardens as well as in huge drifts in the wild. Originally hailing from the Mediterranean They are a perennial that will greet you with a gorgeous display year after year. Not a hugely long-lived perennial expect them to last in a British garden for around 6 years, they can last much longer in perfect conditions, however. They produce…
We’ve all been there, the grass is getting wrong, but the British weather keeps letting you down. Rain, rain and more rain. The question will have no doubt cross your mind, can I just cut it anyway? Can you cut wet grass? Well, like most things in gardening the answer isn’t a simple yes or no, it more nuanced than that. So please read on to see my thoughts and advice on cutting wet grass.…
If you are struggling with weeds in your garden, then you will have undoubtedly pondered the use of weed killer. When using a weed killer, it is crucial to apply it at the correct time. So when should weed killer be applied? Type of weed killer There are two major types of weed killer that most gardeners use, depending on the kind of weed killer you plan on using you will want to apply them at…
Horsetail is a serious pest; it always seems to find a way to come back. This invasive, deep routed weed can spread quickly and grow back year after year, even after extensive use of weed killers. Horsetail has rhizomes which live undergrowth then send up quick growing green shoots which crowd out anything else in the vicinity. Why is Horsetail hard to kill? One big issue with Horsetail is that the rhizomes can be deep…
If you want perfect stripes, then you need a mower with a rear roller. The roller flattens the grass as you mow, allowing for excellent lines. Your answer to the next question will come down to how serious you are about lawn care. Cylinder or rotary mower? What is a cylinder mower? A cylinder mower operates differently to the mowers most people will be used to. Unless you work professionally in lawn care you will…
When cheaper alternatives just won’t cut it then its time to invest in some serious professional hedge trimmers. If you are cutting all day or just want the extra power then a set of powerful hedge trimmers can be a great investment. When making a big purchase it is important to do your research first, this is where I can help you. After years of working as a professional gardener with lots of different kit…
The great thing about this method of cleaning your patio is that it is very inexpensive to do. Often we have what is needed in our cleaning cupboards, which means that if you get a moment of opportunity to get out there and scrub your patio when you can. This works particularly well if you only have a small area of patio that you need to deal with. If you are about to clean your…
As a way to add extra colour to your outdoor space, painting your fence is one of those simple things that anybody can do. While keeping your garden fence maintained might not sound like a lot of fun, but painting or staining your fence or garden gate every few years will improve its appearance, preserve it for years, and keep the neighbours happy! But when it is time to add a new lick of paint,…
If you have flower beds or are working on a vegetable garden, a garden fork is an essential tool every amateur or experienced gardener needs. One may be forgiven for thinking that a garden fork is just one simple tool, but not all garden forks are the same. If you need to dig around a vegetable bed, dig undisturbed soil, or dig heavy soil such as clay, a garden fork is ideal. A good one…
For most people, keeping your lawn looking healthy could be quite a hassle. These days, this doesn’t have to be the case. Having an electric lawn rake can really help keep everything in working order by removing dead grass and moss. As most people need the grass cut on a semi-regular basis, this is only one piece of the puzzle. If you want the lawn to look healthy it may be worth getting an electric…
Your grass requires nutrients to enable it to be lush, green and beautiful. More often than not, the nutrients that are in the soil, start to fade over time leading to an unhealthy lawn. As a result, you see moss and weed growth that then further eats away at the essential nutrients that your lawn needs leading to a vicious downward spiral. When searching for a lawn feed, you need one that is going to…
A cordless strimmer can be used for garden maintenance such as tidying lawn borders, trimming tall grass, tackling overgrowth, and getting in those hard-to-reach areas where wires would usually hold you back. There are different sizes available to match the size of your garden, making them ideal for anyone who wants to keep their garden looking neat and tidy. They come with a built-in lithium battery which makes them really easy to manoeuvre in comparison…
There’s nothing better than looking out to your back garden and seeing a lawn of fresh, luscious green, healthy grass. However, as most homeowners soon realise, actually achieving this suburban dream can be pretty difficult. Thankfully, there are many products out there that can help you to grow and maintain lush grass. Perhaps the most satisfying option of all is seeding since it delivers excellent results but also requires some work. If you’re a hands-on…
The Best Lawn Scarifier The Einhell cordless is our best lawn scarifier. It uses 2x 18v batteries and has more than enough charge for medium-sized gardens. Please note batteries and charger are an added extra but do work with other tools in the power x series. The handle height can be adjusted using the quick-release levers, and there are also three different working depth settings. You can set up the scarifier just the way you…
The Best Gardening Spades A good spade will last you years, maybe even decades, that’s why it’s important to pick the right one if you are thinking of making a decent investment in a new spade. We have taken the time, effort and money out of this problem for you and examined the best garden spades currently on the market. Let’s jump in. Best Digging Spade Burgon and Ball have been making steel in Sheffield…
Weed burners are a great way for getting rid of weeds with little effort, plus who doesn’t want to see those pesky weeds go up in flames? Here we have researched the best weed burners and laid it out into a simple article. We have looked at both electric weed burners and gas ones and then compared the pros and cons of both. These tools are gaining in popularity due to their ease of use…
What is a pruning saw? A pruning saw is a short, often curved, saw created for sawing medium branches for the purpose of pruning, hence the name. A pruning saw will have really sharp angular teeth specifically created for cutting through live wood. Pruning saws come in fixed and foldable forms and also in a variety of sizes. A pruning saw is used on branches that are too large to cut with a hand pruner…
Small Garden Cultivators Cultivators are a great tool, even for small gardens. Cultivating soil is back-breaking work, work that some gardeners don’t want to do and work that unfortunately, some gardeners are no longer able to do. But do not worry, this is where cultivators and tillers come in. These petrol powered pieces of gardening machinery have rotating metal blades that when powered by the petrol engine did up the ground. Don’t get me wrong,…
Cutting wet grass is an exercise in patience. For much of the year, your garden is constantly growing regardless of whether conditions favour its maintenance. In a perfect world, grass would grow at a steady pace every day, and there would be set times to cut the grass during which all of the many variables that come into play align perfectly. But we know that’s not how it works. The grass will grow slowly and…
Sharpening your shears and loppers is the key to speeding up your pruning work. While it can seem bothersome to take a few extra minutes to sharpen your tools, getting used to it can drastically reduce the amount of time it takes to maintain your tools. It’s also good to do for two separate reasons; to get clean cuts with your tools that lead to healthier plants, and also to make the pruning process go…
Pruning apple trees can be a daunting prospect to many gardeners, but it really needn’t be. Take your time and you can’t go far wrong. And remember that doing something is better than leaving the tree to grow out of control. It is best to prune apple trees while they are bare, I try and cut in spring just before the trees begin to regrow. Where to start? The easiest place to start is any…
Non-weedkiller Options Aerating & scarifying This is a great method to stimulate growth and promote healthy grass growth. Aeration is where you put lots of small holes into your lawn with either a fork or a specialised aerator. When the soil is opened up air and nutrients are allowed to penetrate deep into the grassroots, encouraging a strong growth. Without aeration water doesn’t drain away as well, leading to a poorer quality lawn. Scarifying is…
There are not many sights more daunting to a gardener than a completely overgrown garden. Weeds growing out of every possible nook & cranny, brambles sprawling out from the undergrowth, the stuff of nightmares. Whether moving to a new house, taking over an allotment plot or simply tackling your own garden after a bit of neglect we have all faced this challenge at some point. If you’ve found this post then most likely you have…
One of the most frustrating things about Block Paving is weeds growing in between the gaps. They can make your beautiful paving look unsightly. They can also be incredibly tedious to remove! Luckily for you, we have gathered together some of the most effective ways for you to remove them and condensed it all into one article. In this guide, we break down exactly how to get rid of weeds in block paving. How to…
