WE all know we should have a water butt if we’ve got a garden. It’s good for the environment, saves water and generally is considered A Good Thing.
But let’s be honest, they’re not usually the most attractive addition to your outside space.
And thats why The Dipping Tank Company– whose founder Andrew Cousins designed a stunning extravagant alternative to traditional rainwater storage – won the prestigious ‘Best Product’ Award at this year’s Garden Press Event.
Tuesday’s annual outing brought together businesses and brands to showcase all the exciting new innovations everyone has designed for your outside space.
And here’s ten bargain buys that caught my eye.
French company Germie’s sustainable seed starting kit looks like honeycomb, is made of recycled plastic, and provides up to 41 compact pods for seeds, which can be used multiple times. From £17
Bird feed brand Peckish has launched a £2.49 Coco-Not feeder, which looks just like a coconut but is 100 percent plant-made, so has none of the terrible airmiles
Feverfew designs gloves just for women – which come in four different sizes, cost £22.95, have padded touchscreen fingertips, and are incredibly comfortable.
Niwaki has bought out a new, longer, but still lethally sharp and surprisingly lightweight £48 Golden Spade– utterly invaluable for the taller gardener.
Sustainable pot maker Elho showed me their brilliant new drainpipe clicker – which is made out of 100 per cent recycled plastic – starting from £9.79
And David Austin introduced me to their FREE online Rose Growing Course, which is on their website now and is aimed at beginner gardeners.
A perfect Mother’s Day gift is the brand new £9.99 Heart Shaped Trowel from Wilkinson Sword.
While Dobbies new focus is gardening without a garden – their stylish grow lights start from £16.99 and will be available from March.
Crocus has bought out a particularly clever slug-resistant wool pot, that not only biodegrades in the soil, but the wool repels slugs from the plant. £8.99 for a pack of ten.
And She Grows Veg are introducing an incredible range of Heirloom seeds for just £2.95 a packet. Each one has a QR code on the back, which takes you to how-to-videos. Very clever.
BOXING CLEVER
BIRDS are one of the most vital visitors to our gardens – without them, the many plants they pollinate would die.
And on a more selfish note – they’re invaluable for eating the slugs and snails that can decimate our outside spaces.
We can help them by planting berry bushes and leaving seed heads, as well as feeding them with fatballs.
But thanks a trend for neat and tidy gardens there’s becoming less places for them to build their nests.
National Nestbox Week came to an end yesterday (Fri) and British Garden Centre has issued some top tips on the best nestboxes.
It helps you decide if it should be open fronted or have a hole, where to place it and how to clean it.
For more visit www.britishgardencentres.com
I SHOULD BE SO MUCKY
NOW is a really good time to start spreading Blood Fish and Bone around your garden.
It may sound disgusting, but it’s an incredibly good organic slow-release plant food.
Providing nitrogen to encourage strong growth, potassium for plant health and phosphate for sturdy roots, it gives your garden a real boost at the beginning of growing season.
It’s suitable for most flowers, and all fruit and vegetables – sprinkle it around the stems but try not to get it on the foliage.
CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE
THE winners of the Garden Centre Association’s best Garden Centres have been announced, with Fairways Garden centre, Ashbourne, taking top spot.
Best Destination Garden Centre was Bents Garden and Home, Warrington. For the full list visit www.gca.org.uk.
TOP TIP!
Raspberry canes are cheap now as it’s the end of the buying season, so stock up for some juicey fruit later in the year.
THIS WEEK’S JOB!
Lift and divide your snowdrops by carefully digging up a clump and prising the bulbs apart by hand – then replant ‘in the green’ six inches apart.
WIN!
Our friends at David Austin Roses are offering one lucky reader a £150 voucher, plus a Garden Lovers Giftbox worth £60.
To enter visit www.thesun.co.uk/DAVIDAUSTINCOMP or write to Sun David Austin competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP.
Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Ends 23.59GMT 09/03/24.
LEARN!
Q. How do I stop squirrels digging up my garden? Karen Payne, Derby
A. Funnily enough they hate the smell of daffodils, so get some of them in your borders for next season – as well as alliums and hyacinths.
And if you can, put fine mesh or netting down so they can’t dig in. Vinegar spray is also a good deterrent, or sprinkle pepper or garlic granules to put them off.
