Garden Flair

A raised pond needs a substantial foundation under the cast to prevent the pond tilting or sinking, and plenty of reserve strength around it to contain the weight and stop the shell distorting and splitting. After placing the shell in position, carefully measure the height of the pond and mark it with canes and string so that you can be satisfied with the overall positioning. Remove the top soil, spread Read more [...]

Positioning a pre-cast pond is best achieved by inverting the shell and laying it on the ground in the right place and marking its exact outline, but this is unfortunately suitable only for symmetrical pools. Irregular ones have to be placed right way up, and the edge marked by dropping vertical positions to the ground. Check the levels to allow for any building-up of soil around one end, otherwise Read more [...]

Place the pond out in the open where possible; this will encourage good plant growth. Allow plenty of space around it for access to the fish and plants. Mark out the area needed and then check the levels; it is very rare to find a garden that is absolutely flat, even if it looks level. The pool structure must lie level and the spoil dug out can be used to build up a ridge to make the liner just contain Read more [...]

The combination of electricity and water can be lethal, particularly when a human being joins the two together, but if protected properly it is perfectly safe. The first rule is to make sure that all electrical equipment that is bought has been expressly made for outdoor use, and that all instructions, no matter how silly or inappropriate they may seem, are followed to the letter. The second rule is Read more [...]

Most diseases only attack fish in a weakened condition, and can be averted by simple husbandry. Most diseases occur in spring when the fish are coming out of their inactive period with reduced resistance, or in the autumn because they have not been properly treated during the summer. It is important to build up energy reserves from midsummer onwards. Besides using good quality fish foods, a lump of Read more [...]

The largest pest is usually the heron, a fishing bird with a decidedly fine taste for garden pond fishes; it arrives just after dawn and clears a pond of prize fishes before the owner is awake. Some keepers cover their pond with a fine net, placed well above the surface to prevent the bird’s beak from going through the mesh and spearing the fishes. Whether it is the difficulty of reaching a fish Read more [...]

  A grape vine is an interesting plant for a greenhouse border, however if space in the greenhouse is limited, it can be grown in a large pot. If you are considering growing a grapevine, the following tips will help: Stopping is essential to keep a vine under control, and shoots should be pinched back to two leaves beyond the flower. When pruning vines, all sideshoots made in the previous season, Read more [...]

One of the best methods for sowing tomato seed is by a method known as ‘space-sowing’. It is a process by which tomato seeds are sown to prevent overcrowding, which can result in weak, spindly seedlings. When pricking out a tomato seedling, hold the plant by a leaf rather than the stem, which can otherwise be very easily damaged. It is a good idea to support young ring-culture tomato plants Read more [...]

If you would like to have greenhouse-grown strawberry fruits ready for picking by the end of April, which is at least a month before outdoor-grown plants will be fruiting, you can do so by following these tips: Select your plants in the spring from the strawberries growing in the garden and remove their blossom to prevent fruiting and ensure the production of strong, early runners. Inspect the plants Read more [...]

Where to Buy New Houseplants Garden centres are among the best places to buy houseplants. Many have large, purpose-built areas with plenty of light and a constant temperature, where trained staff maintain the plants and are on hand to offer advice. You may be lucky enough to have a specialist indoor plant nursery nearby. If so, these are the best places to buy from. You will be able to see how the Read more [...]