Biennial

Biennial plants have a two-year life cycle. During the first year, the biennial plant typically produces a rosette of leaves close to the ground and stores energy in its roots or stems. In the second year, the plant develops a flowering stalk, produces flowers, sets seeds, and then dies. After the seeds are dispersed, the life cycle begins again with new seedlings sprouting the following year. Foxgloves and hollyhocks are biennials.

Deadheading

Plants with multiple blooms need to be deadheaded, which means you remove the dead flower from the plant. This redirects its energy from seed production towards producing new flowers, prolonging the blooming period. This encourages helps to keep the plant looking tidy and prevents it from appearing unkempt. Good examples of this are geraniums hydrangeas and roses.

Ericaceous

A type of plant that prefers acidic soil. Ericaceous plants typically thrive in soils with a pH level below 7. They often struggle in alkaline soils, where the pH is higher. Gardeners who grow ericaceous plants often need to amend their soil to make it more acidic or grow these plants in containers filled with ericaceous compost. Examples include rhododendrons, azaleas, heather and blueberries.

Hardening off

Acclimatising plants that have been grown indoors, inside a greenhouse or under protection to outside weather conditions. This helps to prevent transplant shock and prepares the young plants for growth outdoors. By gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions, you help the plants develop stronger stems, thicker foliage, and better resistance to environmental stress ultimately improving their chances of survival and success in the garden.

Mulching

Mulch is material that covers the soil, inhibits the growth of weeds, and boosts nutrients whilst holding in moisture and warmth. It is a low-maintenance and effective way to prevent weed growth, nourish soil, and fertilise plants. It can also reduce watering frequency and protect plants from frost. Biodegradable mulches like leaf mould, garden compost, and bark chippings work well, as do non-biodegradable options like slate, pebbles, seashells, and gravel

Perennial

A perennial plant lives for more than two years and comes back every growing season. Unlike annual plants, perennials continue to grow and bloom year after year, often going dormant during the winter months and regrowing in the spring. Some common examples of perennial plants include lavender, roses, irises, sedum, phlox and hostas.

Rootbound

Used in container gardening or for houseplants, rootbound is when potted plants are confined to a pot for too long and their roots have nowhere to go. Signs include the plant noticeably outgrowing its pot with roots coming out the bottom and yellowing leaves. The best time to repot houseplants is typically in the spring, as this is when plants are entering their active growing season. We recommend from March to May as this provides time for the plants to recover from the stress of being reported, develop new roots and adjust to their new home.

Thinning

This simply means removing seedlings when you have planted too many seeds in an area or pot. Each plant needs room and nutrients from the soil to grow healthy and strong, so overcrowding will result in seedlings competing for these. Thinning is typically done after seeds have germinated or seedlings have emerged and developed to achieve proper spacing between plants.

Variegated

This refers to plants with leaves that have more than one colour. The leaves are often mixtures of green, yellow, white, and cream. Examples include hostas, euphorbia and pothos, calathea, coleus and acers.

Finding the right Tools for the Job

Don’t be discouraged if you lack a large garden, you can start planting just about anywhere with the right equipment. For a larger planter you can browse our available range of VegTrugs, and for smaller gardens you can browse all sizes of propagators here to get your seeds started off right.

If you predict a frosty cold spell in the near future, either plant close to a wall for natural shelter or be prepared to shield your crops with a horticultural fleece. When it comes to deciding where to plant, most veg love being in full sun but can still thrive in dappled shade.

Time to Plant!

Now you’ve got your planters and chosen your favourite seeds, it’s time to set the stage. If you choose to plant in a pre-established border, be sure to remove any weeds and top up with fresh compost. Make sure to flatten your soil and remove any rogue stones until you have a fine compost layer on top. When planting in either a border or raised planter, if you’re starting off with seeds it’s best to clear a little area with your hand and thinly sow your seeds to prevent over-crowding as this can reduce your overall yield.

Not all seeds can be sown outside. If your seeds are starting their journey in a small propagator, make sure to fill each cell with plenty of compost and gently place seeds in each cell. Cover these up with a tad more compost and don’t forget to label them! Try not to overcrowd each cell: if all the roots are competing with each other you won’t have a very abundant yield later on.

What Now?

Be sure to keep a keen eye on your growing vegetables, and depending on the weather you may only need to water them a few times a week depending on what you planted. A great way to quickly check if they need a top up is to place your finger in the soil next to your crops, being sure not to disturb the roots. If the soil is still moist they’re good to go. If not give them a quick top up! Try not to overwater your gardens as you may stunt your vegetables growth and see a few drooped leaves.

 

Our very own Grow Your Own Guide can give you some guidance on when to harvest, but you can typically find this information on the back of your seed packets too! Now it’s time to sit back, relax and wait. You should see steady growth over the coming weeks, and soon you can taste the glory of home-grown flavour.

Screening and hedging

Beyond its aesthetic charm, our braided willow can also serve a practical purpose by providing effective screening and hedging. Want to hide an ugly part of your garden, or separate your outdoor spaces into zones, our willow trees are the answer. While offering privacy, its woven stem adds an extra layer of sophistication, transforming what were hidden neglected areas into artistic statements.

Structural elegance

The braided stems of our willow trees bring a sense of structural elegance to any garden. These majestic trees stand out as focal points, contributing to year-round visual interest, even when they have lost their leaves. Braided willow is versatile, with different heights available, allowing for dynamic visual compositions within the garden. Whether towering over the patio or pruned into more compact forms in a container on a balcony, the height variability of braided willow adds depth and dimension to garden designs.

Great for wildlife

In addition to their aesthetic and functional benefits, braided willow trees contribute to environmental conservation by supporting biodiversity. They provide essential habitat and food sources for various wildlife species, further enriching the ecosystem within your garden.

How to plant

Caring for braided salix is straightforward, requiring regular maintenance and ample watering, particularly during sunny, breezy summers. To encourage healthy growth, trim back the top growth in early spring, shaping the crown 2 or 3 times throughout the summer while removing any occasional leaves on the bare stems.

When planting, select a sunny or partially shaded spot for your braided willow. If planting in a container, ensure there is sufficient drainage and fill with soil-based compost such as John Innes No. 3. Whether in pots or directly in the ground, water the newly planted willow thoroughly and maintain daily watering for the first four weeks to keep the soil consistently moist.

Don’t miss out on British Garden Centres’ special 20% discount off braided salix from the 15^th to the 29^th April at your local store!