Category Archives: Tips

Easter Wildlife

The weather may be trying hard to dampen the spirits, but it can’t hold back the inevitable arrival of spring for much longer. Easter is always an exciting time for the re-emergence of plant and animal life as well as the arrival of summer visiting birds. For those prepared to brave the elements at the weekend, here are some of the things to look out for.

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April in the garden – Carpe Diem

At last we’re starting to see and hear the signs of spring. Now the clocks have changed it seems that spring has finally sprung. Verges are golden with daffodils and the white blossom of the blackthorn is sprinkled along the hedgerow. Some early flowering cherries are starting to show their delicate blossom and the early morning songs of blackbirds, robins and song thrushes are there to greet us at daybreak. It’s enough to make you want to rise early and seize the day.

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March brings new signs of life

While February was all about getting things ready, March is when it all starts to happen. Snowdrops are abundant, Hellebores are adding subtle colour and bright crocuses are popping up all over the place alongside the first daffodils.  The hedgerows are starting to green up, often with the pale yellow of native primroses nestling below.

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Why wildlife can be a welcome visitor to your vegetable garden

We all know the story of Peter Rabbit stealing lettuces and carrots from Mr McGregor’s garden. For those of us who have grown our own veg, there is nothing more frustrating than discovering that the fruits of our labours have been munched by a fluffy little cotton tail or destroyed by an army of slimy slugs.

Wildlife can, however, be a very welcome visitor to our vegetable gardens and allotments, which in return can provide a perfect habitat for many species.

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Why winter is a great time to make changes in your garden

I’m often asked when is the best time to undertake major landscaping work in the garden. Many people assume it would be spring or summer when plants and lawns are growing quickly, days are longer and, in theory, the weather is better. But spring and summer is when we all want to be out and enjoying our gardens rather than watching a team of landscapers dig it up and turn it upside down. Continue reading…

Why February feels special in the garden

After a long, frosty winter when most of the jobs in the garden are about tidying up and putting things to rest for a couple of months, February brings a sense of anticipation. Spring hasn’t yet emerged, but signs, in the form of snowdrops, crocus, hellebores and primroses give us the sense that it’s just around the corner waiting to happen. Here are a few of the things you can be doing in February that will make a difference for the rest of the year. 
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Need to release some equity from your home? Know your options.

Having your garden professionally designed and landscaped is a long-term investment, that hopefully will add value to your home as well as improving the quality of your life. If you own your own home you may need to find an additional lump sum to make these improvements and might want to consider using the value of your home to release some money to do this. These days you have several options: a second-charge mortgage, an equity release mortgage or a simple remortgage. All are very different products and each needs to be seen as such.  Continue reading…

Gardening: How it can benefit both us and the environment!

Gardening: How it can benefit both us and the environment!

While the weather permits us there is no excuse not to get out in the garden, however, this still leaves some of us wondering what the benefits really are?

The truth is that the benefits of gardening really are endless and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Gardening comes in many forms; from working on your own garden, to growing vegetables at school, to tending flower beds in your community. So what are the benefits? Here we list six major benefits to consider.

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Invasive Plants and their threat to Land Values

The names Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed and Himalayan Balsam may not be too familiar to homeowners in Oxfordshire. Found across Summertown in Oxford, Witney, Banbury and Bicster, they are some of the most invasive and dangerous plants known to man that can wreak havoc, not only with your garden and the environment, but also with your home.  Left uncontrolled, it can push through brick walls, concrete floors, Tarmac and drainage systems. Continue reading…