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Tips for keeping slugs at bay

Are your plants being punished by slugs? Relief from the pesky nibblers can be hard to find.

Despite our best efforts each year a huge number of UK gardens will be at the mercy of the hungry mollusc, and they’ll munch their way through a wide variety of our flowers, vegetables and ornamental plants.

While many of us resort to pellets to try and dent our garden’s resident slug population, experts advise this might be counter-productive in the long term. They argue poisoned slugs mean the natural predators who, with encouragement, could clean your entire neighbourhood of slugs (hedgehogs, frogs and thrushes for example) are themselves poisoned, not mention the risk to pets who might accidentally ingest any poison. Therefore the pressure on gardeners to find ways to beat the bugs seems more intense than ever.

One trick taking off among gardeners is the use of copper as a slug repellent – unlike poisons this doesn’t affect plants or animals. While some dispute the basis of the belief that slugs are repelled by copper at all, there seems to be enough widespread anecdotal evidence for its effectiveness – here is the procedure for protecting new-grown broccoli plants in clay soil where some slug repellents such as nematodes are ineffective.

  1. Take a sheet of copper, about 0.5mm thick and roughly A4 size (about 20 x 30cm should do). These are cheaply available online.
  1. Cut the sheet into strips a few cm thick. Depending on the number and size of plants that need protecting you should be able to get between four and ten strips from the size of sheet above. This thickness of copper sheet can be cut with pliers or snips. If thicker you may need an angle grinder or similar.
  1. If there is any roughness in the edge file it down to reduce the risk of injury to yourself or pets. If needed a couple of layers of electrical tape can be folded over the edge to reduce the risk of cutting- but try not to cover up too much of the copper surface.
  1. Drill or punch two holes at either end of the strip. Loop some copper wire inside two of the holes.
  1. Use a short length of drain pipe or similar to bend the strip, creating an open ended ring, and wrap around the base of your plant.
  1. Thread the copper wire through the corresponding holes and tie it off. The base of your plants should now be inaccessible to slugs!

Tips:

  1. If you’re starting your growing season and have smaller plants- rivet the ring shut through the puncture holes to create a more durable slug ring.
  1. Remember, the base of your plants may be safe but slugs are crafty- if your plants have low -hanging leaves that reach all the way to the ground, these are at risk too. Use copper wire to close off these routes onto your plants.
  1. Over time the copper will begin to tarnish- so remember to keep it as clean as possible. 

How to care for your joints while out in the garden

Keeping up with those fallen leaves and twigs puts a lot of stress on your bones. Flexibility is a valuable resource, which many of us take for granted. Gardening in the colder months can mean a more exertion than normal- and though the UK doesn’t get the heavy snow or sub-zero temperatures of other countries, it can often be a shock to clean up the lawn or feed the birds in your garden.

Wear the right clothing

Be warm without being restrictive. While most gardeners find themselves busiest in the summer months, picking up leaves debris in the winter can be a big chore for garden owners. The effects of stressful joint movements can be exacerbated in winter, when stiff joints can contract and lose some their suppleness. Warm clothes prevents muscles from seizing up, and can soften the impact of kneeling on hard surfaces. Layers are best when working outside, as you can remove and add them as you warm up. Consider your hands, neck and legs- while many of us pile on three or four upper body layers when we go outside, we tend to avoid layering over these areas- and on the wet ground you can quickly get cold.

Warm up your joints

This doesn’t mean warm up in the fitness sense, but the benefits of getting the blood flowing around your system a bit faster can reduce soreness and increase recovery. This is especially true in very cold weather. Try taking a stroll around the garden before getting down to work- this will ensure your muscles are getting plenty of oxygen and won’t seize up. Attempt small jobs before starting any heavier tasks.

Use accessories

These days there are lots of labour saving options for gardeners. From handy grabbers to pick up leaves or twigs without stooping, or soft pads for kneeling on, there is a wide variety of solutions to make your life easier. Explore products that could save you effort- many are affordably priced and while some look a little odd, they can turn out to be life savers!

Keep moving while you’re outdoors

While gardening can be a gentle exercise, you nonetheless need to keep blood flowing and try to maintain a good working heart rate. Taking a long rest outdoors means your heart will slow, your body will begin to rest and when you begin working again, you’ll feel all the more tired.

Eat well

Most of us do it anyway- but ensure to set yourself up properly if you’ve a busy day outside planned. Keep topped up with water (or something warmer!) as you potter around, and make sure you always fortify yourself with a good breakfast. You can burn more calories than you think working outside in the cold- so consider stopping for a break and a snack after a couple of hours.

Cod liver oil is widely taken to support joint health- however iron, magnesium and potassium are all beneficial. All the vitamins and minerals you need are present in a healthy, balanced diet, and you shouldn’t need to take supplements, however many people do report feeling better boosting their vitamin intake with supplements. Taking supplements to reduce soreness and promote muscle or joint recovery can really help if you’ve a big project planned, have struggled with your joints in the past or if you’re vegetarian or vegan.

Consult a doctor

If you start to feel pain of any kind, it’s always best to consult a doctor. Arthritis and other joint problems can develop slowly, and if left can become progressively worse. Always take joint pain seriously, as you can often nip these in the bud with a short rest and warming cup of tea. It can be tempting to overlook a nagging knee or a twinge in your back, but even if you’re only in the garden a few minutes, consider waiting until you're feeling 100% before attempting any big chores.

Uses for tree debris

High winds in winter can leave your garden a tangled mess of twigs, branches and dead leaf matter. Before you sweep them all straight into the green bin, consider what they could do for you.

They appear from nowhere, they’re a pain to collect. Investing in a special grabber to spare your knees and back feels like a bit of a defeat as you shuffle around the lawn with your bin liner or bucket. It’s cold, damp and gusty, and you know you’ll be back the same time tomorrow, feebly trying to keep up with the nightly twig & leave drop.

But the mop up operation doesn’t have to be a thankless chore- give yourself something back instead by making it the start of rewarding process.

Leaves

Brown and unpleasant, smelly and slimy- wet decomposing leaf matter turns the finest lawns into a fetid marsh, and worse they can cause damage to your turf, trapping freezing moisture against the fragile tips of grass blades. Leaves blow in whatever you do, and while resting the in the shade of a healthy tree might sound nice in summer, in winter the grass beneath its branches is likely to suffer. Bad for drainage, bad for temperature, bad for mowing (if you’re feeling really brave) and generally ugly and messy, the problem of leaf matter is expounded by the problems raking your lawn will cause in winter- meaning you need to try to gather these by hand- while even setting foot on your lawn is a risk in these delicate winter weeks.

However, before grumpily dispatching your daily dead leaf harvest to the recycling bin, it might pay to consider a new home for it. Each autumn the wind leaves you piles and piles of compost just waiting to be made. If you have the space, leaves can be an effective compost and, eventually highly beneficial to plants of all kinds- even to the lawn you’re picking them up from- if your lawn is well drained the compost well broken down.

Twigs & sticks

Twigs from trees can be composted if snapped into smaller pieces. Indeed, these are ideal for your compost bin, as they create pockets of air that create even & efficient composting. Alternatively, if you’re lucky enough to own a solid fuel stove or fireplace, or are a fan of bonfires, twigs such as these made great kindling or even tinder if well dried. Tie them into bundles and stand them next to the fire, and after a few days you will have perfect dried solid fuel. Some trees work better than others- pine and oily wood, while scarcer among fallen branches due to their flexibility and hardiness, burns like rocket fuel when dried (that might be a slight exaggeration) so light it with care.

Branches and bark

Larger pieces of wood may occasionally crop up in your garden, especially after a particularly blustery night. If they do, don’t despair, you still don’t need to let it go to waste. Wood chips compost just as well as twigs, and obviously make excellent, environmentally friendly fuel for stoves and bonfires. If you don’t have access to a chipper, and don’t plan to burn your wood, consider asking around in case any of your friends enjoy a log fire- after all, some bin collections won’t accept larger pieces of wood anyway. If all else fails, piles of large pieces of wood can make a great habitat for local wildlife, if you have the space.

Christmas Trees: Plastic fantastic & planting pleasures.

There’s a lot to be getting on with at Christmas, and one of the first things most of us have to confront is the business of the tree. Perhaps this is because it doesn’t feel immediate or real until the tree is up & sparkling. Perhaps we think it’s the easiest step in preparing for the festive season. If the latter is the case, many will find themselves mistaken.

As with most of Christmas, early each winter (or likely much earlier) we're confronted with bewildering arrays of choices, prices & styles.

Plastic 'trees' continue to confound Christmas traditionalists, and more than ever. Fibre optic, hyper-realistic, tree-scented & collapsible variants all vie for our attention - and these are the good ones. Among the shelves lurk yet more arboreal aberrations, anomalies and abominations.

When it comes to the pressure, stress & chaos of this, the season of goodwill & peace to all men, we're all after corners to cut. It can be a comfort to imagine unpacking the old plastic tree and smugly ticking one more task off your list of jobs. Yet unsquashing the old, dusty tree from the back of the attic each year makes for an unfulfilling opening to the festivities. A Christmas spent staring at hairbrush-like bristles, wobbly sockets and unstable, tiny feet plastic feet make the most striking plastic tree feel like a bit of a cop-out.

If you decide to plant your tree, remember to keep the tree warm & watered indoors until spring. Plant it to the same depth as its roots grow - if you find yourself covering the top of the earth at the foot of the trunk with earth - it's too deep. You may, however, insulate the vulnerable tree base with bark or chippings. The hole you plant it in needs to be positioned taking into account the fact that these trees can grow to enormous size. It should also be three times wider than it is deep, as roots prefer to grow outwards before they grow down. If the soil is poor, consider using additives to promote root growth.

Turf and Dogs: What to know

The general opinion holds that man’s best friend and lawns don’t mix – so what can you do to protect your turf?

As they say, prevention is better than the cure. This is true here, as dogs can do damage to grass of any type. However, a really hardy, durable turf, such as the types used on sports fields, will hold up to some of the wear and tear. Dogs running, playing or digging all year round will take a toll, so consider fencing off high-traffic areas and keep ensuring your lawn is well fed, topped up with seeds and any damaged parts are replaced. Give your lawn a fertility boost by top dressing with fine compost and gently brushing the compost thinly. And remember to walk your dogs regularly: let them burn off some of that playful-but-destructive energy outside your garden.

Urine is a major concern for dog owners. While male dogs tend to mark their territory over a wide area, bitches will urinate in one place, causing heavier damage. Urine is essentially nitrogen, which in concentrated doses can cause serious damage – but in more diluted quantities is actually a fertiliser. Therefore the best thing to do is add water to the urine – use a small watering can, or sprinkler in summer, to ensure you keep a good level of moisture overall and in patches where the dog has been.

Heavy damage can be mitigated by carefully raking away dead grass, puncturing the earth with shallow holes and sewing some new seed.

Winter lawn care tips from Turf Growers

Lawn solutions: how you can keep your lawn healthy over winter.

Turfgrowers is the UK’s top online bulk turf delivery service. We provide rolls of high quality turf delivered to your garden freshly cut and ready for laying.

Just like the rest of us, during the winter your lawn needs to rest, and the dark, cold season tends to prevent much growth or even repair of plants. Therefore, treat your lawn to some time off over the winter, limiting your activity and mowing throughout winter. When frosty avoid walking on it entirely, while otherwise avoiding any work other than collecting leaves and branches. Staying off will let the lawn rest without needing to invest extra energy in recovering from the damage that footfall will cause.

Improve drainage for those rainy days. Keeping the lawn clear of debris will offer some protection, but aerating the ground by gently piercing the surface will offer great ventilation that will prevent damp from setting in and rotting your turf - although this can be very weather dependant. Don’t worry about snow. Although it might seem terrible for your lawn it will rest on the surface and not cause much damage - however if possible avoid keeping it on the lawn for longer than necessary - for instance by piling it up (say by building a snowman) which will take longer to melt and cause more harm to the turf beneath.

While the weather is better, consider using autumn plant foods to strengthen roots & kill moss to further combat damp build up in your turf.

Avoid mowing - while the winter low temperatures and poor light slows growth, however some gardeners believe that some cutting during warmer days stimulates growth and helps maintain a regular appearance.

Simply abandoning it to the winter can lead to further damage. If you’re careful & attentive now there are lots of ways you can help your lawn recover quickly and thrive after winter. 

Your top turf questions answered

Solving some turf mysteries

Is turf still a bit of a mystery? We understand that tearing up your garden can seem a bit extreme, so we want you to have all the necessary information before making a commitment that will take several weeks to come to fruition. A badly-laid lawn is apparent for all to see- so ensure you do it right, and you’ll ensure you only do it once.

To maintain lawn turf

Maintaining a great lawn is not as hard as you might think- but having new turf is slightly more demanding. You’ll need to hold off mowing and even walking on your new grass for up to four weeks.

When it has taken root, you ought to ensure your lawn is dry before cutting and not cut more than a third in one go, removing any clippings when you’re finished.

The key to successful lawn management is to cut regularly, depending on the time of year. In the Spring grass will grow faster, requiring weekly mowing. Moisture is crucial- as the roots continue to grow more water will be required. Pay attention to your lawn and the weather, and give it the care it needs.

Finally, the most important factor is the quality of mowing- a clean, sharp mower blade will minimise the number of damaged grass leaves left on your lawn, lessening the possibility of disease spreading to the remaining turf.

How much is lawn turf?

New turf is an investment in the future of your garden. It’s about hitting the maximum potential your garden has, whether to impress, relax, socialise or play. A healthy, beautiful lawn is a pivot around which you can build your ideal personal sanctuary, family area and social space. Yet it is surprisingly affordable- our prices start from under £2.40 per square metre. This is cheaper than any indoor carpeting or flooring, which considering the versatility of the space you’re transforming, is great value.

How to replace turf

Replacing turf some planning and organisation, but otherwise is hassle free. Pick the right time of year- soil must be dry and frost-free, and while you can lay at any time, you should be prepared to avoid using or mowing your lawn for some time, so some prefer the autumn or winter.

There are a lot of tricks and tips to laying turf, and while we can’t summarise all of them, here are a few:

  • Remove all your turf before the replacement rolls arrive- they will need to be laid as quickly as possible or will rot- keep them out of the shade and sprinkle with a little water to preserve them.
  • Remove all debris such as stones from the soil where the new turf is to be laid.
  • Sprinkle some fertiliser on the soil before laying.
  • Use wooden boards to avoid creating footprints in your new turf.
  • Avoid gaps in your new turf by laying them ‘brickwork’ style.
  • ‘Tamp’ or roll the laid turf to achieve a nice flat lawn.
  • Sprinkle sandy soil on the new lawn to fill in any gaps or cracks.
  • Once laying is complete, avoid stepping on it for at least three weeks.
  • Recycle your old turf to create loam compost- this is possibly the best & most fertile kind of compost.

Turf growers are the UK’s top online supplier of freshly cut turf & soil supplies- everything you’ll need to restore your garden to a lush, welcoming space for you and your family.

Our Top 5 Turf Facts

Turf is great! You might expect us to say that, but, before you call in the cement mixer or decide to deck over your yard, consider what a beautiful garden you could create with a crisp bright lawn. The list below show just how great turf is, and this fabulous stuff needs only the occasional trim!

  1. It’s an oxygen factory! After trees and algae, turf generates more oxygen than any other plant life on earth. Which you could say, is probably the most important favour plants do us humans. An acre of turf can provide enough oxygen for 64 people per day - more oxygen than can an acre of rainforest.
  1. It’s a natural air conditioner! Turf is cooler than concrete - and can help circulate cool, oxygenated air around your garden. With a lower temperature by 10-14 degrees than other yard surfaces, it not only fights global warming with its great oxygen-emitting properties - it keeps the temperature nice and cool as well. Having a front lawn outside your home can do the same job as a massive, 70-ton industrial air conditioner.
  1. It absorbs crazy amounts of water. While a lawn can survive on only one inch of water per week (that’s 3mm a day!) your lawn also has the ability to soak up 20,000 litres of water in one go before it begins to build up. This is why simple turf plays such a vital role in the prevention of flooding over wide areas - yet as more people concrete over their yards, the risk of flooding will increase.
  1. It’s antibiotic. This one blew our minds. Studies in the USA into the role of artificial turf in sports showed a higher rate of MRSA and serious bacterial infections in baseball players who played on artificial grass. This is because, while turf is swarming with good or neutral bacteria that can suppress bug-causing infections (left by mess etc) the synthetic grass had no such ‘immune system’ - causing infections to multiply & thrive in the plastic grass & rubber underlay. While turf naturally drains, washing out messes or harmful substances, artificial surfaces retain whatever is dropped on them until they are cleaned. Furthermore, the millions of individual grass leaves (up to 200,000 per square metre) in your lawn, safely traps dust & pollution that otherwise drifts into the atmosphere.
  1. A single grass plant has 600 miles of root - further than the distance from London to Berlin! A 40 foot by 20 foot lawn will be supported by 263 MILLION miles of roots - twice the distance to Mars!

Unlock your Outdoor Potential Part 2

Three steps to begin transforming your garden from weeds to wonder in time for summer

In our last article, we discussed the reasons you might consider reclaiming your garden from the weeds and begin its transformation into a beacon of colour and life. And while you may be sold on the benefits of a bright summer garden, you may remain a little bewildered as to where to start! It’s easy to point out that a little TLC could deliver your garden from neglect and decay, but where to begin? Here are some easy first steps to get you on the way to turning your yard into a summer paradise.

1. Plan your garden

“If I had eight hours to chop a tree, I would spend six hours sharpening my axe” so said Abraham Lincoln. We may not be cutting down trees to build our garden (though some may!), we’re more interested in growing a few! The point of this quote is: preparation is everything.

Build a detailed plan of what will need doing, and when, and stock your cupboards, shed or equivalent with all the tools & supplies you’ll need before you start. Information for new gardeners abounds, and with the rise of the internet the quantity of advice available is staggering. You can master your garden without this, of course, but it will take more time, effort and money in the long run.

Use gardening forums to ask questions - they are a great place for inexperienced gardeners to put their queries to horticultural veterans, who are usually quite sympathetic go the plight of those just starting out. If the internet is not your thing (though if you’re reading this we assume it is) you can get ideas from magazines and books, or even radio and TV.

Decide what kind of garden you want- is a veg or herbs to enjoy, a lawn to relax on or flowers to sit amongst as you soak up the sun? Many gardens include some or all of these in some degree. You’ll need to decide on your own priorities.

Next you should envision where it will all go - this is a more important task that it looks! While there are many considerations - it may help some plants (and you) to be located close to spigots, or a compost heap- the main concern here is sunlight. Nearly all plants will require a certain minimum amount of bright sunlight each day, and while we can’t guarantee the British weather will always oblige, we need to ensure that when it is sunny, the right plants absorb as much of it as possible.

Bear in mind that warm places may be more vulnerable to dry soil, and that trees that in winter hold no leaves may obscure the sun once spring rolls around. Of course, some gardens will receive more sunlight than others, and you may find yourself rethinking your choice. The type & pH of the soil, and the local climate, will also be key factors.

When you choose your plants you may also wish to take into account the colours of flowers and the eventual size they might grow to, as well as any special characteristics or extra care they may require. Start to build a picture of what your finished garden will look like.

2. Prepare the ground

After all that planning and research, you’re probably ready to get stuck in! Of course the weather isn’t perfect for outdoor work just yet, but pulling weeds and digging out roots is enjoyable and fairly easy, and gives you the satisfaction of seeing the visible improvement in your garden as a result of your efforts.

First map out your borders and any footpaths or features you want to make room for in your garden. Once you’ve decided on the depth and location of your borders, or allotment, you need to begin digging! You’ll want to catch all the weeds, especially perennials, and dig them out in their entirety. Bits of rubble or debris beneath the soil will need sifting away.

This is a good chance to explore what’s really under your garden. Many have dug up interesting finds such as old clay pots or bottles, and we’ve found everything from clay pipes to a bathroom sink! If you live in a very built up, heavily urban area you may be more likely to uncover debris like this, and it’s possible you may find layers of old stone building works a few feet under your garden - do not panic - you’ll be surprised what can be coaxed into growing just above someone’s old floor.

Once your garden is clear and empty of weeds, rocks and old lawn furniture, you can make a start. Don’t worry if it looks messy- all that digging can leave the area looking extremely untidy, but soon you’ll be looking at some beautiful plants instead. Once you’ve cleared the border you’ll probably want to improve its fertility profile a bit- especially if the area has sat unused for some time. This is easier than it sounds, and involves selecting a type of compost and working it into the soil. There are different composts on the market with different characteristics and you’ll want to pick the right one for your needs.

3. Shop around

Make sure you get healthy, freshly potted plants from a good source. Of course there are plenty of other ways, however a healthy, well-developed plant ready to go will save you time and the difficulties of growing from cuttings, or from seed, and providing you perform the planting out correctly, should quickly establish a vibrant garden in time for spring. For vegetables, you will need to identify the best time and conditions for planting and when to expect a crop- for most vegetables this could be weeks, months or, for bushes and small trees, years.

In designing your garden most people want some lawn to relax on. While the amount varies, it can be a nice, light open space in which to lay back and unwind, or to play with pets or family. When it comes to turf, we believe the best way to proceed is select your turf supplier and prepare your lawn completely prior to laying. While it should be easy to find out how to lay turf, it’s important that you use fresh turf supplied soon after it’s collected, to minimise decay and ensure it’s laid as quickly as possible. For more information on this you can see our site.

We hope this guide is helpful! Remember, if run into difficulties, the online gardening community is a great place to make friends and learn.

Turfgrowers is a premium supplier of fresh turf and gardening supplies across the UK. Passionate about getting the most out of gardens, we provide only top quality turf via an overnight service to ensure health & freshness. For guidance on lawn laying, from how to lay a lawn to what kind of turn is best for your needs, visit our site: Turf Supplies Online.

Unlock Your Outdoor Potential Part 1

Six reasons to transform your garden from weeds to wonder in time for summer

Long summer afternoons, soaking up the sun on the lawn. Watching bees and butterflies dance over bright, blooming flowers. Tucking into a fresh salad pulled only minutes earlier from your luscious allotment. The simple joys that come with a beautiful garden, make the summer months an extra special time. Yet if you look out of the window and all you see is weeds, rocks & the occasional piece of long forgotten lawn furniture, this blissful vision may seem out of reach to even the greenest fingers.

Many people feel that the work and time required to salvage their dilapidated garden outweighs the benefits - but this is the winter blues talking! With even a small input of time and effort, you can begin to turn your weed-riddled yard into a real garden, somewhere you can kick back and unwind on those sunny afternoons. The task before you may seem like a waste of time, of effort and even money, but there’s no reason it has to be. Here’s six reasons why your garden deserves your time…

1. It’s a big part of your property

Imagine leaving a room inside your home as neglected as some folk leave their gardens. It’s truly saddening to realise that part of the mortgage is being spent buying a piece of land that many will simply shrug at, and complain that it’d be too much effort, and eventually will cover under concrete, gravel or decking. In fact fewer and fewer of us are looking out of our windows and seeing possibilities. Instead we’re seeing work - and we prefer to do our DIY (indeed if we do any) indoors, where it can be enjoyed year round. And yet your money, your hard work, are going on a space which you may never enjoy - because we’re inherently lazy. But transforming part of our home into something to be enjoyed does not only give us great satisfaction, it can even increase the value of your home. And along the way you will develop a bond with your garden far closer than you would simply redecorating the living room. Putting your own creative mark on your garden is a goal worth striving for, and as you create your vision you will truly know what it means to turn a house into a home.

2. It can keep you fit and reduce stress

Gardening is not an especially physically demanding activity. It can be done by people of almost any age, and almost any physical condition, and, perhaps weather permitting, can involve absolutely anyone. Young children can be given safe, simple tasks, and now more than ever specialised equipment is being produced that enables even those with extreme difficulties in movement to weed and trim gardens independently. Yet compared to sitting on the sofa in a stuffy living room, the act of gardening can increase movement and keep you healthy by proving gentle, varied activities each day. Recent studies have even show how even short burst of some gardening activities can:

  • Burn calories
  • Strengthen joints
  • Help control cholesterol & blood pressure
  • Increase flexibility

Besides this, a garden is a sanctuary from day to day life. It abounds with chances to retreat from the stresses of job and home, whether throwing oneself into small but engaging tasks or just kicking back and enjoying the atmosphere, you can find a sense of bliss simply by being outside. Leave your electronics inside, and get stuck in to some gardening - what may at first seem like unpleasant, mundane drudgery quickly takes on its own pleasing rhythm as you reconnect with what a lot of us have forgotten - how to work with our hands. A lot of people escape the fast-paced modern world by retreating further into it, with TV or computers, and when your friends hear about muddy afternoons or early starts, they might think you’re crazy - but the sight of your hard work coming to fruition before your eyes trumps all the distractions of modern life for a pure sense of satisfaction well-deserved.

3. The Benefits of owning a garden

As we mention in the introduction, the garden is a great place to unwind in the summer - but it’s a lot more besides. While a flower garden can provide a serene place to think & relax, a lawn with a border can be both a beautiful sight and also a great place for your pets or kids to play. A vegetable or herb garden, or a greenhouse can feed your family and let you taste the fruits of your labour - and give you the satisfaction of knowing your dinner didn’t come from the supermarket. Those with enough space can achieve all this and more besides. Indeed, a garden can be everything you want it to be - a reflection of your vision. Whether you wish to cultivate veg or flowers, or simply a place for your family to enjoy, your garden can take whatever form you wish - as intricate or informal as you choose. Whatever your idyll, with hard work you can bring it to life –literally - before your eyes.

4. It creates an interest that will stay with you forever

Gardening is recreation. In point #1 we mentioned that too many people see it was a chore, when really it can be so much more. By taking small steps and planning you will find your interest in the steps needed to develop your garden grows, and you will quickly become invested in your garden and the progress you’re making. As your knowledge grows so will your enjoyment, and the time you will be willing to contribute to your garden. Soon, you’ll be eager to learn more, and before long you’re truly a green-fingered gardening enthusiast! Gardening becomes a lifetime passion for many, and as a hobby for people of all ages it can be a part of your life for years to come. The world of plants & gardening is a huge one, and you can always find a new direction in which to take your interest.

5. It teaches forward planning, organisation & proactivity

Gardening is a long game. It requires months, even years of planning ahead- the sort of organising ability most of us wish we had in every aspect of our lives. It’s a hard skill to learn, and one that can serve each of us very well as we plan for our futures. These days, it’s rare that we’re required to plan so far ahead, yet doing so can, in reality, save time, hassle, money and lead to better decisions. However the benefit of a hobby that requires thinking far, far ahead, is that the daunting step of envisioning that far ahead becomes a part of life. You’ll want to know when the compost you’ve just laid out will be ready, or how long before you can expect trees to begin bearing fruit. These processes take years and require immediate work - as you will learn, working around the weather means a lot of hard work now, for a payoff perhaps years in the future. Being proactive is key - it won’t take you long to realise that putting off until tomorrow what you can do today, simply won’t cut it!

6. It isn’t as hard as you think!

Gardening is a hobby enjoyed by millions. For many others it’s a practical necessity. You will almost certainly struggle at first, and make a few mistakes along the way, but while the world of gardening may not be too forgiving of errors in the short term, it always grants you the chance to try again. With the rise of the internet we have seen massive amounts of information on all gardening topics become available, from websites to blogs to forums, and of course there are books abounding on the topic. There are also clubs and societies dedicated to gardening, TV and radio programmes dedicated to advising new gardeners, and even video games about gardening (these may be more recreational than informative, but nonetheless- there’s a wealth of material out there). The point is you’ll never have far to look for help, no matter now precise your gardening query.

Interested in starting out on the path to a beautiful garden? In part 2 of this blog we will uncover how to make the move from dream to reality - without a massive time commitment.

Turfgrowers is a premium supplier of fresh turf and gardening supplies across the UK. Passionate about getting the most out of gardens, we provide only top quality turf via an overnight service to ensure health & freshness. For guidance on lawn laying, from how to lay a lawn to what kind of turn is best for your needs, visit our site: Turf Supplies Online.